[Cboldt]

No, the mine would not count for the Bronze Star. The Bronze Star hinges on whether or not there was enemy fire (other than the mine), particulalry when Kerry reached out to assist Rassmann.

Other men were in the water, no Bronze Stars for them. Many of the veternas who were there assert that there was NO enemy fire, other than the mine (or mines).

The Purple Heart is not without dispute, but jimminy, if Kerry didn't set the record straight regarding enemy fire, when he becaame aware of the submission of a request for a Bronze Star, and then used that Bronze Star to advance his personal political fortune, it speaks volumes to his character. He has none.

[kabar]

Kerry used the mine incident and linked it to the "wounds" on his buttocks, which actually were due to Rassman and him throwing grenades into some sampans filled with rice in another incident. Kerry didn't move quick enough and got it in the butt. The casualty report makes it seem as though the mine caused the wounds. I doubt if the contusion would have won it alone, but then Kerry was able to use other self-inflicted wounds to get medals.

[secretagent]

The Bronze Star hinges on whether or not there was enemy fire (other than the mine), particulalry when Kerry reached out to assist Rassmann.

How do you know that?

How do you know that the mine(s) alone don't count as enemy fire sufficient to award all the sailors Bronze stars?

I ask because I see a remote chance it could boil down to this on the Kerry side:

"Kerry showed bravery because he understandably thought he risked injury, assuming the other boats' suppressing fire as evidence of enemy fire. And two 'command controlled' mines did go off, more possibly on the way..."