Posted on 08/28/2004 7:30:49 AM PDT by Grampa Dave
Kerry citation a 'total mystery' to ex-Navy chief
August 28, 2004
BY THOMAS LIPSCOMB
Former Navy Secretary John Lehman has no idea where a Silver Star citation displayed on Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry's campaign Web site came from, he said Friday. The citation appears over Lehman's signature.
"It is a total mystery to me. I never saw it. I never signed it. I never approved it. And the additional language it contains was not written by me," he said.
The additional language varied from the two previous citations, signed first by Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and then Adm. John Hyland, which themselves differ. The new material added in the Lehman citation reads in part: "By his brave actions, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant (jg) Kerry reflected great credit upon himself...."
Asked how the citation could have been executed over his signature without his knowledge, Lehman said: "I have no idea. I can only imagine they were signed by an autopen." The autopen is a device often used in the routine execution of executive documents in government.
Kerry senior adviser Michael Meehan could not be reached for comment on Kerry's records.
Thomas Lipscomb is chairman of the Center for the Digital Future in New York
Lehman Secretary of the Navy from 1981-1987. Now why would Kerry get his signature on any Vietnam era doc? I remember seeing the doc andI thought it said Sec of the Navy next to Lehman's signature.
Whats' up with that.
My best guess is "MainStream Media."
btt
Bumping for later reference.
How are things up there in Spokane? I'm looking forward to my next trip up there in two years (college reunion).
Main Stream Media
"Oh, please, please, please, tell me this turns out to be a complete forgery! There is no way sKerry could wiggle his way out of that!"
A couple of weeks ago Travis pointed out that at that time the Navy used standard preprinted forms to fill out most paper work from battle reports, to injury reports to recommendations for commendations.
Kerry apparently took his own typewriter besides his own 8 mm camera. It would have been very easy to take a few of these forms and insert carbon paper and type in whatever he wanted.
Fracus pointed out that, his long time Wade R. Sanders, who was a river boat guy, also, served as an Asst Sec of the Navy. One can only imagine what was done to records under his watch.
MainStreamMedia or MilitantSocialistMedia
What????
MainStream Media.
poseur exposed bump
"Isn't it a Federal crime to alter military documents?"
Yes!
Also, see "Lame Stream Media" (No acronym at this time)
Some wags will also use LSM, presumably "Lame Stream Media," and MWDP, the "Media Wing of the Democrat Party."
Well, my goodness. And just a few minutes ago on MSNBC, Bill Press announced that every smear against Kerry had been proven false, so case closed. Guess this is one he missed. Press looked like someone had just died.
Curiouser and curiouser. What a political debacle by the Kerry camp...
My guess is because Kerry was a senator, various Dept of Defense officials (even Republicans) just changed the citations each time at his request, or didn't question his version of the language.
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