Posted on 08/27/2004 1:25:11 PM PDT by TonyInOhio
KERRY ON BOORDA [08/27 03:53 PM]
The current dispute over Kerry’s medals is a good time to recall the tragic suicide of the Navy's Admiral Mike Boorda in 1996.
Kate O’Beirne summarized it well:
“In 1996, a left-wing news service raised questions about two small "V" clips that the chief of Naval operations wore over two of the medals on his chest full of them. The clips are awarded for valor under fire, and there was some doubt about whether Boorda's two tours in Vietnam aboard combat ships qualified him for the awards, although the Washington Post reported that a 1965 Navy manual appeared to support Boorda's right to wear the clips. Unlike Kerry, the awards did not provide grounds for Boorda to shorten his tours of duty. Hours before he was scheduled to meet with Newsweek reporters to discuss the controversy, the admiral went to his home at the Navy Yard and shot himself in the chest. The CNO had been in command of the Navy during a troubled period and his leadership was being criticized by its senior officers. Still, among the notes he left was one to "the sailors" expressing his fear that the controversy over his decorations might harm the Navy. Boorda had lied about his age to join the Navy and was the first CNO to rise through the enlisted ranks.”
What did John Kerry have to say at the time about the matter? Let us consult the Boston Herald of May 18, 1996:
Veterans said yesterday that although they would take offense at someone falsely wearing a "V" combat pin, they couldn't see how this could drive Navy Adm. Jeremy Michael Boorda to suicide.
“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.
Citing uncertainty of whether Boorda deliberately wore the pins improperly, Kerry added: “If he made a mistake, in my judgment it wasn't worth his life, so I'm very sad about it.” And let us consult the Boston Globe for the same day:
“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.” Kerry‘s records refer to a "Silver Star with combat V." The Chicago Sun-Times has reported a U.S. Navy spokesman said, "Kerry's record is incorrect. The Navy has never issued a 'combat V' to anyone for a Silver Star." Naval regulations do not allow for the use of a "combat V" for the Silver Star, the third-highest decoration the Navy awards. None of the other services has ever granted a Silver Star "combat V," either.
If John Kerry has been touting a “V” that the Navy says he does not deserve, these quotes are going to be flung back in his face.
Maybe we should send this quote ti Evan. I am sure he will then try to find out the truth about Kerry.
Kerry's original DD214 also lists the Silver Star with combat "V". The DD215 is the form used to make corrections to the DD214.
“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.”
Well! It looks like Kerry has written the script for the next SBVT ad himself! ~~~~~~~
EXACTLY. Then include a few words from the Swifties, just to make it self contained, and it would make a great ad. They can call on Kerry to hold himself to the same standards.
If we had a curious press, some reporter might ask *why* certain leftists suddenly poured over Admiral Boorda's resume.
The answer would be devastating, however, to the left. Adm. Boorda, who led the NATO strikes against the Serbs in Bosnia (not Kosovo), began to question why we were siding with the Islamic Mujahedeen against Bosnian Christians.
Shortly thereafter the left-wing slime machine went after him with guns blazing.
5 Legislative Days Left Until The AWB Expires
Boorda must be rolling over in his grave right now. I was wondering about this story. I couldn't remember the Admiral's name. And of course, like clockwork, thr FReeper bus shows up with a relevant thread.
Thanks, I hadn't seen the original DD214, just the corrected DD215.
Jim, wasn't it discovered after Admiral Boorda's suicide that he did indeed deserve to wear those medals/ribbons? I seem to remember that and felt so sad about this honorable man's death.
LOL
Here's a link to another article here on FR that sheds additional light (and reveals additional murkiness):
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1200746/posts
Kerry wouldn't make a dimple on Boorda's Clymer.
Hypocrite Hackworth on Kerry: < crickets >
I am horrified, too. In fact, the more I learn about Kerry, the more convinced I am that he's a truly awful human being. God help this country if we elect him.
Hugh Hewitt is on this story right now...
To: P8riot; All
You'll also find that former CIA director William Colby was found dead shortly after Boorda in 1996.
5 Legislative Days Left Until The AWB Expires
Thanks! BTTT!
His records are not open--the document that he is hiding is NAVMC(Navy-Marine Corps) Form 1650--the award recommendation (Summary of Action) for his Silver Star. This document details the circumstances of his award and lists the originator's name.I believe he wrote it himself and forged the signature of the originator --an officer who is likely one of the Swift Vets group. If this is true that means Kerry committed a court-martial offense to obtain this award to which he is not entitled.
To boast on his record Kerry has released the NAVMC 1650 for the Bronze Star--why not the more prestigious Silver Star? Kerry will not release this form--if he does his presidential campaign will be over.
Look at 56.....then my follow up post..
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