Plot Thickens After Checking Records (Kerry Silver Star V Device Questioned by Chi. Sun-Times)

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | Friday, August 27, 2004 | Thomas Lipscomb

[Warrior Nurse]

I am the son of a Silver Star Medal recipient and he told me once that "those type of medals come with a lot of blood, guts and luck". Never with a "V". When you are awarded the country's third highest award for Valor there should be no question about it. Just as with the Medal of Honor or Navy, Distinguished Service Cross and Air Force Cross a Silver Star has to have corroboration by witnesses. The separation between the three medal is the fine line of valorous conduct by the individual. In fact many Navy Cross, AC or DSC recipients have had their medals upgraded to the Medal of Honor. The bottom line is that these medals are not usually questioned for their veracity because a witness usually submits someone for an award. In my father's case it was his battalion XO whom I have personally spoke with a few years ago.

[truthkeeper]

Great post. bttt

[Cboldt]

What could the rest of the documents contain? The Kerry 'rope a dope strategy'?

Given the demeanor of all the parties involved (O'Neill, Gardner, Thurlow, O'Dell), the eyewitness accounts of some that the media ostensibly puts in the Kerry camp (Rood, Lambert - whose stories put them in agreement with the Swiftees, on close examination), and Kerry's reaction; I don't think this is a Kerry rope-a-dope.

[Spok]

I served from '69-'72, and knew guys who won medals. My attitude was "good for them", but the most common commentary soldiers made about medals was "with a Silver Star and a dime, you can get a cup of coffee". I saw alot of valor that went unrecognized, and some medals awarded that were unwarranted. Winning medals wasn't the point and it doesn't separate the heroes from the every day grunt. Getting my ass home in one piece was all I ever wanted. As far as I'm concerned, the heroes are on The Wall. The only recognition that meant anything is what your buddies thought of you, and the only glory in war is not letting them down. Period. The rest is fluff.

[goldstategop]

John F*ckin' embellished his medals. I mean the ones he tossed before he kept them? Well it goes to show when it comes to his wartime record, the man's a complete braggart.

[PilloryHillary]

Ouch! That's gonna leave a (another) mark!

[Wu]

I addressed this issue on the 20th here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1195373/posts

Does anyone know when it was first mentioned by the media or elsewhere?

[jmstein7]

BUMP!

[hflynn]

I don't think this is a Kerry rope-a-dope.

I think it is but the dope being roped is Kerry. Why in god's name are his advisers telling him to continue to use this Vietnam strategy? There really is only one answer, they do not want John Kerry to win.

[boxerblues]

Didn't some Navy officer, Admiral, I think, commit suicide over something like this a few years ago?
Col Hackworth hands his hands in this as well.

[hflynn]

close tags </i>

[wolicy_ponk]

[leadpenny]

I see you started a thread first and wanted to get this comment in before going to work:

And to think Pete Dawkins lost to Lautenberg primarily because Dawkins had
a campaign pamphlet that stated he had two tours in Nam when he had only one.

[ravinson]

Kerry, who should have been discharged from the Navy about the same time -- July 1, 1972 -- wasn't given the discharge he has on his campaign Web site until July 13, 1978.

That's the first I've heard of a late discharge. I'm sure Doug Brinkley will come up with some Republican scape goat to blame for it.

[mywholebodyisaweapon]

But Hillary could always Foster him.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

He's not the only one:

http://www.graphicwitness.com/carter/mov-soldier.html

[BunnySlippers]

LOL! Good morning, Red. I'm getting ammunition to use at work this morning. ;-)

[BunnySlippers]

Er, I should be more specific. Not real ammunition ... just facts for debating any liberals I should meet today.

[svxdave]

A few days before I was to be released (after returning from my second Vietnam tour)I had a chance to see the DD 214 that was prepared for me. It was full of typo's so I asked for another 214 form and sat down and typed in myself. The 214 allows the placement of medals so I filled my 214 out and, not anticipating I would be running for President someday, did it correctly.

It seems to me that things were a little loose back then and someone who lacks a moral compass, like Kerry, could have changed his 214 "just a little". I think he did or had someone do it for him, inasmuch as a V on a Silver Star is bogus.

[EllaMinnow]

I'm stuck at home with a daughter with a sprained knee, so all I can be is a keyboard warrior. I'm in a mood to spread some truth!