[Cboldt]

- John Kerry was turned down for his first purple heart. Did that discourage him? No way, he just applies for one elsewhere.

Hibbard has recapitulated this fact on the air, as well. At least the fact that he [Hibbard] turned down Kerry's reuest to be put in for a purple heart. That much, Hibbard has personal knowledge of. He does not have personal knowledge of how Kerry did get the award.

But you are right, it is not a "he said, he said" dispute.

Wach for more FUD from the Kerry camp and the media enablers.

[kabar]

I don't understand the distinction you are making. Kerry did apply "elsewhere" for his first PH from a different unit. He went from Coastal Division Fourteen (Hibbard's outfit) to Coastal Division Eleven (Elliott's command) on December 8. Hibbard refused to put him in for a PH and Dr. Letson agreed with him based on the fact there was no after action report showing hostile fire. The PH injury was suffered on Dec 2.

Until Kerry authorizes release of his full military record, we don't know who put Kerry in for the first PH and for what reason. All Kerry has released is his treatment sheet signed by HM-1 Carreon. We have the casualty reports for the other two PHs but not the first one. A casualty report is required for a PH.