[Travis McGee]

IMHO, Kerry went to the Swift boats purely to choreograph a "JFK moment," to use it to run for higher office.

His rabid insistance on getting that first "scratch" Purple Heart tells me he was already planning on getting his "three and go home" Purple Hearts. Otherwise, why bother hassling commanding officers for that bogus first one?

And the Silver Star episode just stinks to high heaven, it sounds as fake as LBJ's bogus WW2 medal.

I think "the fix was in" all the way from the US Capitol (Uncle Teddy, JFK#1's baby brother) to Zumwalt to his CO's. What rewards were THEY given, for playing a role in this charade?

I have read elsewhere that after Kerry sea-lawyered his way out of VN after his 3 "scratch" Purple Hearts, his remaining crew were reassigned to safe shore duty positions, instead of being reassigned to more combat. Is this true? Was it part of a quid pro quo?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[Squantos]

his remaining crew were reassigned to safe shore duty positions, instead of being reassigned to more combat. Is this true? Was it part of a quid pro quo?

Damn..........this is crazy. Stay Safe !

[elbucko]

IMHO, Kerry went to the Swift boats purely to choreograph a "JFK moment," to use it to run for higher office.

BULLS EYE!

[JLS]

"His rabid insistance on getting that first "scratch" Purple Heart tells me he was already planning on getting his "three and go home" Purple Hearts. Otherwise, why bother hassling commanding officers for that bogus first one?"
____________________________________________________

Maybe because you never know if you are going to get "wounded" again or not. If your goal is to go home and run for office and you think having won a purple heart will help, you take the first one that comes your way and do not risk not getting one. So it might have been a three and home strategy or it might have been get one to enhance your political viability to steal a phrase from another Dim. And there may be more explannations that these two.

[Miss Marple]

Kerry himself said that he did this, I suppose in an effort to make sure the media didn't portray him as deserting his "Band of Brothers."

I have maintained that this is why they support him (plus no doubt the fame factor and a large sack of Heinz foundation cash).

I don't have any documentation on this, but I am certain he said this in an interview. Of course, since the man lies constantly, he could have just been blathering for political effect.

I, too, would like more information on this. I also would like to know how he had enough clout to do this, if he indeed did.

[kabar]

It is apparent that Kerry shopped his first PH around per the report from Hibbard. NAVSUPPACT Saigon approved the first PH award for the 2 December 1968 scratch on 28 Feb 1969 or almost 3 months afterward. Compare that time difference to the approval of PH #2 of Feb 20 1969 (approved 5 Mar 1969) and PH# 3 of 13 March 1969 (approved 17 APR 69). All of the certificates were signed on August 12, 1969.

[Osage Orange]

You have nailed down my thoughts almost to the tee....

The whole deal just stinks.....I wouldn't be surprised at all to find out that Mr. Heinz fragged himself...three times.....

FRegards,