Posted on 08/20/2004 4:48:54 AM PDT by SJackson
"Is it wrong? Yes, it is very wrong. Sufficient to question his leadership position? The answer is yes, which he clearly understood," said Sen. John Kerry, a Navy combat veteran who served in Vietnam. - Boston Herald, May 18, 1996
"The military is a rigorous culture that places a high premium on battlefield accomplishment," said Sen. John F. Kerry, who received numerous decorations, including a Bronze Star with a "V" pin, as a Navy lieutenant in Vietnam.
"In a sense, there's nothing that says more about your career than when you fought, where you fought and how you fought," Kerry said.
"If you wind up being less than what you're pretending to be, there is a major confrontation with value and self-esteem and your sense of how others view you."
Of Boorda and his apparent violation, Kerry said: "When you are the chief of them all, it has to weigh even more heavily." (Emphasis added) - Boston Globe, May 18, 1996
http://viewfromaheight.blogspot.com/2004/08/kerry-on-boorda.html 8/24/04
Swiftvet Bump.
The Silver Star can only be awarded for actions under enemy fire. There is no need to distinguish combat awards from non-combat awards because there is no such thing as a non-combat Silver Star. The 'gallantry' contained in the basic award itself surpasses 'valor' in military awards terminology.
The "V" device is used on medals that could be awarded for either combat or non-combat actions, such as the Bronze Star. The "V" device is used to indicate that it was awarded for actions performed in combat.
He got 6 medals and threw 10. What a liar.
He definitely got more than 6. On Meet the Press, his ribbon bars have 11 ribbons on them.
For starters, we know he had the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart (just 1 medal, awarded 3 times).
In addition to those three, he would have also received the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Apparently, the commands he served with received 4 unit commendations of one sort or another. There were many different ones awarded.
That adds up to the 11 he was wearing.
Not to give Kerry too much credit but one of his quotes at the time included wording that it "wasn't worth [taking] his life".
I should have been more clear about my post. I was being sarcastic. Redundant if you will. I realize that you can display heroism or you can be heroic. It is a bit redundant to be heroic heroism. I have become synical enough over the years that most of what I say will have at least a touch of sarcasm in it. Sorry if this is something that offends some of you.
While I didn't pick up on your sarcasm, I was just tryong to give you a description of the thinking behind the impossibility of a Combat V on a Silver Star even though it is used on the Bronze Star.
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