Posted on 08/06/2004 2:31:27 AM PDT by Mr Rogers
A Purple Heart required two things - treatment by a medical officer, and the injury had to come from enemy action.
In Kerry's release of the medical records, his injuries were described as a bruised arm and a piece of shrapnel (1/4 the size of a BB pellet, but still shrapnel).
Since the bruise required no treatment, I believe it does not suffice for a Purple Heart. I must admit, I have NEVER heard of a Purple Heart for a bruise - perhaps Rassman has.
And Rassman admits that the shrapnel came, not from enemy action, but "when he and Kerry blew up a rice cache, and the explosion caused some of the rice to hit Kerry, and perhaps some weapon fragments as well."
Again, "Rassmann said that he has always believed that Kerry got the third Purple Heart solely for the injury to his arm as a result of the explosion in the water."
So according to RAssman - a Kerry supporter who nominated Kerry for a Silver Star - the Purple Heart was probably awarded on the basis of, "...confusion. Maybe they did lump it together."
And 'lumping together' a non-hostile action injury with a hostile action claim is fraud. Period. Although Rassman won't admit it.
Rassman should go back to judging orchids.
Re: Orchids Digest, Vol 6, Issue 223
On second thought, maybe not.
Plain and simple-- Kerry cheated to rack up 3 unearned Purple Hearts to bug out early. That's all folks.
No doubt about it. Kerry is a fraud.
And his later actions in aiding and abetting the enemy makes him a traitor.
Just a random thought based on nothing, but what exactly is Rassman's military record -- any decorations? Any one hand washes the other? As I said, just a random thought.
This is the part my little mind can't fathom.
Just how is it that this "aiding and abetting the enemy" is not the focus?
By any standards, Kerry is a traitor, and violated military law. The fact that we were divided on our individual feelings of that war is, or should be, of no consideration.
Hey, I attended a wedding in June. Where's my Purple Heart?
Purple Hearts: Three and Out PUT IN FOR HIS OWN PURPLE HEART
I believe if a medical corpsman signs the wound tag and the wound tag gets sent in to whoever or whatever authority writes the PH medal up then the medal is issued.
I don't think a medical 'officer' has to personally treat the wound (as both hospital corpsman (Navy) and medical corpsman (Army) treated and dressed wounds without medical officer supervision...however a 'medical service' officer would likely have to sign off on it...(some pogue in an office somewhere)
It would be possible for Kerry to have gotten (or intimidated) a corpsman to send in the wound tag...or he could have done it himself (and forged the signature)...but it had to pass through channels...and someone had to sign off on the orders for the PH...I don't like Kerry but I seriously doubt he was the only one to get a 'cheap' heart...from minor wounds incurred during enemy action...
I was ordered by the Batt Surgeon and taught in training to fill out wound cards for every combat injury so that the guys slogging the paddies would get their PHs...considering the diseases our guys operated plagued by daily...hearing loss...and other sacrifices borne by grunts...a PH seemed like the least we could do for them...even if some disgruntled types back home didn't think they 'deserved' them..for minor wounds..(which often got infected....after immersion in the rice paddies fertilized with human manure)
I was also taught the reasoning behind writing up PHs...that the award would open doors for guys after they got home..preference points on govt service exams...home loan closings etc....so for minor wounds or simple frag wounds that were the result of enemy action got PHs awarded...a leg up on getting a job while competing with draft dodgers seemed like a good thing to do for the grunts..
If you demand Kerry turn his back in...you are gonna have to call a whole bunch of them back in..
Now as far as medals for valor go...and officers putting each other in for them.....that is a whole 'nother' can of worms....that no politician wants to open....and not just for the Vietnam war either..especially around election time...
imo
He got a PH for being sprayed with rice? He got a PH for bumping his arm? I need to join the military. Seriously. I am the worst klutz in the world. In fact, my dog stepped on my foot yesterday and bruised it. Can I have a PH for that?
To your "random thought," I'd like to add mine, to wit:What has Rassmann to gain by declaring he was under enemy fire when he was in the water--and thereby maintaining that under these circumstances Kerry rescued him and hence deserved an award?
Would Rassman himself appear more heroic than he actually was by claiming enemy fire even though NOT ONE OTHER nearby crew saw much less took a hit (no bullet hole in any ship, either) from enemy fire? Could the desire to be "heroic" be Rassman's motive, in other words? Ummmmmmm . . . .
Regards,
Penny
Dog stepped on your foot? I'd say that's a Bronze Star, minumum. We might even be able to throw in an Alpo cluster.
rASSmann says he is unaware of skerrys "rice butt" PH
As one who has fallen overboard fully clothed, I can easily imagine the sense of panic that Rassman was experiencing. He was at sea level in his full combat gear, so would have the least perspective of all those present during the incident. The gunner who says there was no enemy fire, was observing the action from 14 ft up in the air, the highest point of anyone that day.
It is a shame that we now have veterans challenging each other, and my heart goes out to all of them. I think that the situation with Kerry is much more complex than a few medals. We have all known an employee who is not "suitable" but who can not be fired without "documentation." Often the documented brhavior is not the real reason that the employee has to be removed, but is the only behavior that can be cited acceptably - for legal or OSHA or union reasons.
These swifties are willing to put their owns lives under the microscope to get their message out - Kerry is UNFIT. They lived with him, they were peers, and they know.
PS: Kerry did not go overboard to get Rassman back on deck. He only hung over the gunnel on the foredeck to give a boost as Rassman was unable to climb the rescue net all the way to the deck.
PPS: The reason Rassman fell overboard was that Kerry did a 180 to bug out when the "3" boat was hit by a mine. So when he turned his boat around again to pick up Rassman, Kerry was actually turning back toward his original heading - back toward the action, where other swifties were in the process of rescuing the men thrown overboard by the mine's explosion, and of protecting the '3' boat which was dead in the water.
No, but you can get a brown and stinky foot.
Penny
These swifties are willing to put their owns lives under the microscope to get their message out - Kerry is UNFIT. They lived with him, they were peers, and they know.
Well said
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.