Bravo !
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
Bravo !
Very arrogant. There was a thread where some of us discussed Narcissistic Personality Disorder. He fits it to a T. So does Bill Clinton.
I've been thinking about those Swift Boat Vet reunions and wondering if next time, someone forgets to advise the junior Senator for Massachusetts of the time, date, and place.
Thank you. :^)
Kerry Flip-Flops Again on 'Tossed' Medals
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/4/26/100423.shtml
LOL! Thanks. :^D
Sorry: I meant to ping all of you to this #623...
.
Kerry's Silver Star Citatations for (ONE Silverstar)
Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY's calmness professionlism and great personal courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Signed by Zumwalt
http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/jkerry/jksilverstar.pdf
The extraordinary daring and personal courage of Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY in attacking a numerically superior force in the face of intense fire were responsible for the highly successful mission. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Signed by John Hyland
http://www.johnkerry.com/pdf/jkmilservice/Silver_Star.pdf
The extraordinary daring and personal courage of Lieutenant (jg) Kerry in attacking a numerically superior force in the face of intense fire were responsible for the highly successful mission. by his brave action, bold initiave, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant (jg) Kerry reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Signed by Lehman
http://www.johnkerry.com/pdf/jkmilservice/Silver_Star.pdf
That seems to be the way things are shaping up lately ... everyone leaving kerry hung out to dry on the clothesline of his own choosing.
Well said.
I would guess that is why he is refusing to sign the 180 to release all of his citations. When someone wants a replacement citation they get a copy of their original. Not JAZZED ups replactment citations. I would imagine Lehman will be on TV this week. Should be very interesting.
I meant to say That is why he is probably refusing to sign the 180 to release ALL of his Naval Records.
Lol, that's good :-)
| NOTES | Zumwalt Original | Hyland Revision | Lehman Revision |
| HEADING: Aside from the differences in the issuing authority and minor punctuation, Kerry's middle name is shortened in the final revision to the initial "F." which more resembles Kerry's hero, John F. Kennedy. |
COMMANDER UNITED STATES NAVAL FORCES VIETNAM The President of the Unites States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to JOHN FORBES KERRY LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE for service as set forth in the following: CITATION |
COMMANDER IN CHIEF UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET The President of the Unites States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Lieutenant (junior grade) John Forbes KERRY United States Naval Reserve for service as set forth in the following: CITATION |
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY WASHINGTON The President of the Unites States takes pleasure in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL to LIEUTENANT (JUNIOR GRADE) JOHN F. KERRY UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE for service as set forth in the following CITATION: |
| PLACE and TIME: The official reference to "Vietnamese Regional and Popular Forces" in the original citation is reduced to just "regional", removing any notion they were "Popular." The words "junior grade" are shortened in the final revision to "jg" in most places for the Massachusetts junior Senator. |
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Officer in Charge of United States Navy Patrol Craft Fast 94 and Officer in Tactical Command of an operation in the Republic of Vietnam. On 28 February 1969, Patrol Craft Fast 23, 43 and 94, in conjunction with Underwater Demolition Team 13 and Vietnamese Regional and Popular Forces personnel, conducted an operation on the Ca Mau Peninsula as part of Operation SEA LORDS. | "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the Coastal Division ELEVEN engaged in armed conflict with the Viet Cong insurgents in An Xuyen Province, Republic of Vietnam on 28 February 1969. Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY was serving as Officer in Charge of Patrol Craft Fast 94 and Officer in Tactical Command of a three-boat unit engaged in inserting Vietnamese regional force troops on a reconnaissance in force mission. | For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the Coastal Division ELEVEN engaged in armed conflict with the Viet Cong insurgents in An Xuyen Province, Republic of Vietnam on 28 February 1969. Lieutenant (jg) Kerry was serving as Officer in Charge of Patrol Craft Fast 94 and Officer in Tactical Command of a three-boat unit engaged in inserting Vietnamese regional force troops on a reconnaissance in force mission. |
| FIRST ACTION: "Small arms" is enhanced to "automatic weapons and small arms." (Had there been another revision, it would no doubt say "assault rifles.") The strength of the Swift force is approximately 18 crew, with 90 Vietnamese and demolition forces as passengers. The friendly force total is removed from the revisions and an enemy force total of 20 is added. This addition means that someone got information other than the original citation for the revisions. The removal of the number 90 (3 PCF units x 30) makes plausible the addition of "numerically superior" enemy added at the end of the revisions (20 VC vs. 18 crew). |
While transiting the Bay Hap River en route to an insertion point along the Dong Cung River, these craft with thirty Regional/Popular Force personnel embarked in each unit came under heavy enemy small arms fire from the river banks. The Officer in Tactical Command, Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY directed his units to turn to the beach and charge the Viet Cong positions. Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY expertly directed the fire of his craft at the fleeing enemy while simultaneously coordinating the insertion of the embarked troops. While the Regional and Popular Forces conducted an area sweep, Patrol Craft Fast 43 remained on station to provide fire support and | As the force approached the target area on the narrow Dong Cung River, all units came under intense automatic weapons and small arms fire from an entrenched enemy force less than fifty feet away. Unhesitatingly, Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY ordered his boat to attack as all units opened fire and beached directly in front of the enemy ambushers. This daring and courageous tactic surprised the enemy and succeeded in routing a score of enemy soldiers. The PCF gunners captured many enemy weapons in the battle that followed. | As the force approached the target area on the narrow Dong Cung River, all units came under intense automatic weapons and small arms fire from an entrenched enemy force less than fifty feet away. Unhesitatingly, Lieutenant (jg) Kerry ordered his boat to attack as all units opened fire and beached directly in front of the enemy ambushers. This daring and courageous tactic surprised the enemy and succeeded in routing a score of enemy soldiers. The PCF gunners captured many enemy weapons in the battle that followed. |
| SECOND ACTION: The original citation contains the most impressive account of personal heroism on the part of Lt.(jg) Kerry, the famous story of single-handedly chasing down and killing a VC and capturing a live rocket. This daring exploit is not in the revised citations. One has to wonder why? Without that element, is this really Silver Star material? The "numerically superior" enemy cannot be from the second action as the lone VC in the original citation is the only enemy mentioned. The request by Army advisors is not mentioned in the original citation, further indicating independent sources for the revisions. |
Patrol Craft Fast 23 and 94 moved upstream to investigate an area from which gunshots were coming. Arriving at the area, Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY's craft received a B-40 rocket close aboard. Once again Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY ordered his units to charge the enemy positions and summoned Patrol Craft Fast 43 to the area to provide additional firepower. Patrol Craft Fast 94 then beached in the center of the enemy positions and an enemy soldier sprang up from his position not ten feet from Patrol Craft Fast 94 and fled. Without hesitation Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY leaped ashore, pursued the man behind a hootch and killed him, capturing a B-40 rocket launcher with a round in the chamber. Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY then led an assault party and conducted a sweep of the area while the Patrol Craft Fast continued to provide fire support. After the enemy had been completely routed, all personnel returned to the Patrol Craft Fast to withdraw from the area. | On a request from U.S. Army advisors ashore, Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY ordered PCFs 94 and 23 further up river to suppress enemy sniper fire. After proceeding approximately eight hundred yards, the boats were again taken under fire from a heavily foliated area and a B-40 rocket exploded close aboard PCF 94. With utter disregard for his own safety and the enemy rockets, he again ordered a charge on the enemy, beached his boat only ten feet from the VC rocket position, and personally led a landing party ashore in pursuit of the enemy. Upon sweeping the area, an immediate search uncovered an enemy rest and supply area which was destroyed. | On a request from U.S. Army advisors ashore, he ordered PCFs 94 and 23 further up river to suppress enemy sniper fire. After proceeding approximately eight hundred yards, the boats were again taken underfire from a heavily foliated area and a B-40 rocket exploded close aboard PCF 94. With utter disregard for his own safety and the enemy rockets, he again ordered a charge on the enemy, beached his boat only ten feet from the VC rocket position, and personally led a landing party ashore in pursuit of the enemy. Upon sweeping the area, an immediate search uncovered an enemy rest and supply area which was destroyed. |
| THIRD ACTION: The third action is mentioned only in the original citation. There is no indication that any assessment was made of effectiveness of the fire in EKIA or materiel. |
While backing off the beach, these units again came under a hail of fire, this time from the opposite river bank. Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY immediately coordinated the firepower of his units and suppressed the enemy fire. | [no mention] | [no mention] |
| FOURTH ACTION: The fourth action is mentioned only in the original citation. There is no indication that any assessment was made of effectiveness of the fire in EKIA or materiel. |
Later, after disembarking personnel and while exiting from the Bay Hap River, the Patrol Craft Fast were again taken under fire. Lieutanant (junior grade) KERRY immediately maneuvered his craft through several strafing runs which completely silenced the enemy. | [no mention] | [no mention] |
| OVERALL RESULTS: Only in the original citation is any mention made of enemy killed (11 total) or wounded (1). The revisions seem to wipe the scene of any blood and clear Lt.(jg) Kerry of killing anybody. It is a totally bloodless Silver Star according to the revisions and seems to have accomplished very little for the expenditure of ammo. |
As a result of this operation, ten Viet Cong were killed and one wounded with no friendly casualties. In addition, numerous sampans, structures and bunkers were destroyed as well as confiscationn of substantial quantities of combat essential supplies. | [no mention] | [no mention] |
| COMMENDATION: In the first revision, extraordinary personal courage is substituted for outstanding leadership even as his most personally courageous and only specific action was removed. In the second revision, "brave", "bold" and "great credit" are added to his appelations. |
Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY's devotion to duty, courage under fire, outstanding leadership, and exemplary professionalism directly contributed to the success of this operation and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." | The extraordinary daring and personal courage of Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY in attacking a numerically superior force in the face of intense fire were responsible for the highly successful mission. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." | The extraordinary daring and personal courage of Lieutenant (jg) Kerry in attacking a numerically superior force in the face of intense fire were responsible for the highly successful mission. By his brave action, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant (jg) Kerry reflected great credit on himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." |
| SIGNATURE: At each revision, a more prestigious signature was obtained. |
For the President (sig. E R Zumwalt) E. R. ZUMWALT, Jr. Vice Admiral, U. S. Navy Commander U. S. Naval Forces, Vietnam |
For the President (sig. John Hyland) JOHN HYLAND Admiral, U.S. Navy Commander in Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet |
For the President, (sig. John Lehman) Secretary of the Navy |
| SOURCES: | johnkerry.com (p.7-8) | johnkerry.com (p.1) | johnkerry.com (p.2) |
Jim Geraghty at the NRO "Kerry Spot" put it like this:
Kerry: I can't release it without Brinkley's permission.Well said.
Brinkley: I can't release it without Kerry's permission.This is what we call, "giving people the runaround." It stinks, and it suggests that neither Kerry nor Brinkley want to release the full diaries. Which makes it easy for one to speculate that the unreleased portions aren't so flattering to Kerry - and their omission doesn't reflect well on Brinkley, either.
Kerry Spot...scroll down to "Giving Us the Runaround"
This rumble is not limited to Kerry and Kerry detractors, but it is the focus. There has been a persistent effort to subvert the ideals of this country, and the media is eye-ball deep as one of the primary agents of change. Education is another. I hope the media goes down for the count, with or without Kerry.
Kerry doesn't have a chance this year. If he keeps stonewalling and whining, he goes down. If he comes clean and admits he's a liar, and void of good character, he goes down. For the good of the country, it would be better if he came clean, but he wont. That would create too much damage to the party, and to the progress of subverting the Republic.
The best outcome for the Democrats is for Kerry to hang in there, and lose. Opening up Vietnam, and all the lies wrapped up in that, causes longer-lasting damage.
Where is the "V" for valor?
Don't mind another go at the lowlifes one bit.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.