This may be off topic, but I'm wondering if it is possible to find out just how many people took the advantage of the "3 Purple Hearts and I'm out".
from the vetting that was done with Kerry in regards to his 3 and out, It is widely belive that he was one of the very few that used it (about 1% total) or were asked to use it. I have heard conflicting reports that he was asked to take the early release,by a CO because he could not be trusted. If I can find the link again I will post it.
"This may be off topic, but I'm wondering if it is possible to find out just how many people took the advantage of the "3 Purple Hearts and I'm out".
http://www.swiftvets.com/index.php?topic=KerryinVietnam
"So far as we are able to determine, Kerry was the only Swift sailor
ever to leave Vietnam without completing the standard one-year tour of duty,
other than those who were seriously wounded or killed."
During my time there I can recall only one person, and he was not only a three Purple Heart recipient but also a three war veteran. I encountered many with three or more Purple Hearts during my 20 years.
He was on the first wave at Normandy, was wounded bad enough to be medically retired.
He was called back to active duty for Korea. He was on the first wave at Inchon, was wounded bad enough to be once again medically retired.
He was again called back for Viet Nam. He reported aboard using a cane. He had a medical profile (chit) restricting him to duty with no load noise, no weapons, no prolonged standing, setting walking etc. (Yea! Right!). His first mission with us included an amphibious landing in Hue to take out the Citadel Tower. He was again wounded - by the same mortar that got me - and again medically retired.
I guess it could be said that he took his three Purple Hearts and went home. Then again, he didn’t have any choice.
We know one that's running for president sure did.