| John Kerry's Mysterious Combat “V” |  |
FrontPageMagazine.com | August 20, 2004
Posted on 08/20/2004 4:48:54 AM PDT by SJackson
| John Kerry's Mysterious Combat “V” | |
One Vietnam vet with nearly forty years of military service who retired as a major, spurred on by the revelations in our book, and, in his words. “having seen hundreds of DD 214s” (a veteran’s Record of Transfer or Separation), recently decided to take a close look at John Kerry’s DD 214, which is posted on his website. What the major called to our attention, which we have since verified, raises some extremely troubling questions about John Kerry’s Silver Star. Keep in mind that the Silver Star is the third-highest medal our Nation can bestow (after only the Medal of Honor and the three service “Crosses”).
Kerry's DD 214 lists a Silver Star with a combat “V” (for valor). As the major correctly observes, the “V” is never awarded with the Silver Star. But the actual wording on Kerry’s DD 214 (see www.johnkerry.com) is: “SILVER STAR WITH COMBAT ‘V’.”
There is an abundance of anecdotal evidence that a combat “V” (called a “Combat Distinguishing Device”) is simply not awarded with a Silver Star. For example, a former Vietnam War POW told us that he has “three SSs, and there was no V for any of them.” Countless other Silver Star recipients all say the same thing. Why? Because, among other reasons, it would be redundant to award a Silver Star for “gallantry” (the statutory term) and then embellish it with a “V” for valor.
Most conclusive, however, is that the law is very clear about the award of Combat Distinguishing Devices. According to the Navy Awards Manual:
Bronze "V" (Combat Distinguishing Device).
Prior to . . . 1974, the "V" was authorized for wear on the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal. Between . . .1974 and . . . 1991, the "V" was authorized for wear on the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal and Navy Commendation Medal. [In] . . . 1991, the "V" was authorized for wear on the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. In all cases, the Combat Distinguishing Device may only be worn if specifically authorized in the citation. See also http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Valor_device.
Because the “V” is authorized for only the ten awards cited above, but not for the Silver Star, Kerry’s Silver Star citation (the “explanation” of why the award was made) does not even mention the “V” for valor (see www.johnkerry.com).
The presence of the combat “V” with Kerry’s Silver Star on his DD 214 raises two extremely disquieting questions. How did the unauthorized “V” get there, and why has Kerry allowed it to remain?
The first question should not be taken lightly because we are talking about possible federal crimes. We are talking about the possibility of a forged official document. We are talking, as well, about Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001, which states: “[W]hoever, in any manner within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the United States, knowingly and willfully . . . makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years or both.”
Was the combat “V” added by a sloppy clerk or a yeoman’s typo thirty years ago? Was someone pressured or persuaded to add it? If Kerry had nothing to do with the gratuitously added combat “V,” why didn’t he have his DD 214 corrected when he was separated from the Navy?
Which gives rise to the second disturbing question: If Kerry was not a party to the unauthorized “V,” why, for all these years, has he allowed his DD 214 to remain uncorrected and to repose on his website?
In light of the recent Swift Boat revelations and the cloud they have cast over Kerry’s awards, one plausible answer is that this is yet another example of Kerry’s multiple, and increasingly transparent, lies about his alleged heroics in Vietnam.
Let’s hope it won’t take a controversial TV spot to spark a mainstream media investigation of how candidate Kerry received an unearned “V” for valor.
Henry Mark Holzer [www.henrymarkholzer.com; hank@henrymarkholzer.com], Professor Emeritus at Brooklyn Law School, specializes in federal appeals. Erika Holzer [www.erikaholzer.com] is a lawyer and novelist. They are co-authors of “Aid and Comfort”: Jane Fonda in North Vietnam.
If I read the above article correctly, when Kerry had the language changed on his SS documentation they got it wrong. Once again, Kerry is lieing to the public. I think that this should be a big deal.
While we are picking nits:
"Vietnam Service Medal w/ 4 bronze stars"
The service medal is awarded for being in VN during a certain time period (campaigN) as defined in:
http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/stream/faq45-25.htm
When I look at his dates of service from:
http://www.vietnamwar.net/Kerry-2.htm
It looks like he should only have 3 bronze stars on his service medal.
"Silver Stars are the 3rd or 4th highest precedent medals that can be given. A combat V is unnecessary on a silver star. It would be akin to giving a V to a Medal of Honor winner. The award itself already includes a valor in combat connotation."
HERE! HERE!
This only emphasizes the fact that kommiekerry ONLY went to Viet Nam TO GET POLITICAL CREDS HIS MENTOR TEDDY DIDN'T HAVE!!!!! Cold, calculating, manipulation! He may really believe he has a destiny to rule. All the more reason NOT to trust the guy! I saw careerists during my time in the Corps, and found them to be a major drain on the life of the unit. This guy is the KING of all careerists!
Socialism SUCKS!
I did not follow the Boorda case, but wasn't his suicide related to him being exposed as having "embellished" his record and claimed or worn medals he didn't earn?
Boorda, 56, committed suicide less than two hours after he learned that reporters would be questioning him about two pins on ribbon decorations that he had worn.
He left notes lamenting the coming disclosure that he had improperly worn the two bronze "V" pins, which normally are awarded for valor in combat.
Ranger? Not
From his home in Montana, Hackworth told CNN by telephone Thursday that he recently found out that he was not entitled to a Ranger tab, an insignia worn on the shoulder of a uniform.
Normally, it indicates that the wearer has completed one of the Army's toughest training courses, a rigorous entry to one of the service's most elite groups. Hackworth said he thought he earned the Ranger insignia during his service in the Korean War.
He also told CNN he found that the Army had given him two Distinguished Flying Cross medals, when he had only earned one.
In both cases, Hackworth says the mistakes were made by the Army, not him. Before he died, Boorda said he thought he had earned the medals in question during service in the Vietnam War.
Four. You forget Harkin's previous lie about flying combat missions in Vietnam was exposed (again) after he went after Cheney for not serving during the Vietnam era.
I think the 'V' device is an issue simply because, once again, it points to Kerry being deceitful about his actions and his records during his four months in Vietnam.
I also find it interesting that no dates indicating when the Silver and Bronze Star citations were written appear on the documents. What is the 1st thing you put on a letter?
True. But Barry Goldwater exposed Harkin years ago. Sadly, voters in IA let him slide...As did the rest of America. Harkin was in no-way savaged (or perceived to be savaged) by the rest of America.
"I checked his web site. It says the V is with the Bronze one. Don't think this argument will fly. There is plenty out there, but not this."
Check out his DD214. It shows both a Silver Star and a Bronze Star with Combat V's
JOHN KERRY=
Traitor
Pronunciation: 'trA-t&r
Etymology: Middle English traitre, from Old French, to hand over, deliver, betray
1 : One who betrays another's trust or is false to an obligation or duty...
2 : One who commits treason...
Boorda, 56, committed suicide less than two hours after he learned that reporters would be questioning him about two pins on ribbon decorations that he had worn.
He left notes lamenting the coming disclosure that he had improperly worn the two bronze "V" pins, which normally are awarded for valor in combat.
You mean you can't have heroic heroism in battle?
Okay Dufus?
The link works for me! And it says SS with Combat V. It also says Bronze Star with Combat V. Both medals are listed with a Combat V. I think the Vets in the original Front Page story are complaining that any military person knows that the SS is never worn with a Combat V -- it's redundant. And that any Vet would have petitioned to have the paperwork corrected.
I know it sounds nit picky to those who are not Vets, but apparently it's a big deal. It certainly is a big deal when it concerns someone who has had these papers revised several times over the years and massaged them to look good in his various political campaigns.
5 Bills (at least three were self serving to his district) and 4 co-sponsors.
That's 9 pieces of legislation over 19 years. At an average salary of just under $100k, I figure that legislation cost the taxpayers just under $200,000 per Bill. I want my money back!
Excuse me -- my math is bad. Done on the calculator, that figures to $211,111.11 per piece of legislation. Now I really want my money back!
So thank you for kindly and gently letting me know that you took a great deal of offense at what I posted.
I think three of these were "honorariums" recognizing someone... Big deal.
Effingkerry......LIAR is his name, HEROISM is his game.
Here it is.
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