Thanks to MeekoneGop, we have the perfect picture of le Jacquestap moi Kerri, the great medal winner of the DNC. He probably has another 100 medals on the back of his dress uniform.
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
Thanks to MeekoneGop, we have the perfect picture of le Jacquestap moi Kerri, the great medal winner of the DNC. He probably has another 100 medals on the back of his dress uniform.
FYI, there are many more differences between Silver Star #1 and #2 than reflected in your post. The entire first paragraph in the Zumwalt version is much different. I scanned, proofed, and did a 'text compare' of all three citations. I posted the full text of all three citations at:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1189369/posts?page=25#25
We need a retired Navy yeoman (YN) or personellman (PN) who really knows the nuts and bolts of how these citations originate and move through the system.
I think that the original source documents are superceded by the versions redone at higher levels. I may be wrong, but anything Kerry created on his typewriter may be long gone into the paper version of the ether.
But his reluctance to release his 180 is damning. I think at the least it will show his first PH (which was submitted months later, out of order) came from him. It probably has forged signatures authorizing it. The forged names may be non-existant, or he may have "gamed the system" by using the names of senior officers or medical officers who were about to depart VN, knowing the chances of the document being verified with them were slim to none.
But now in the internet era, almost every document and record is searchable and checkable. If he forged signatures to originate any documents, it could turn out to be a smoking gun.
The typewriter comparison may be even simpler than that. If the Navy was using all IBM Selectrics in 1968, and Kerry's "source documents" were typed on a Smith Corona or Royal, for example, he will have some explainging to do.
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Thank you. I plan on posting it quite a bit. :^D
I am just leaving for the day and don't have time to post right now. I can post late tonight, or if you or Fracas has time to do it today, please do. I included only a snip from that stableable newsletter... maybe the whole text of the Sanders article can get posted?
http://home.planetcomm.net/StableAble17/newsletters/april04_2.html
"Stable Able" 1/7
Newsletter
April 2004
MEDALS NOT AWARDED
I think that we will be hearing from some YN's and PN's, on how the paperwork for a medal was originated and what happened to the originals.
Kerry's old buddy Wade R. Sanders, could probably tell us, but don't hold your breath.
My total knowledge on the matter is now on the threads. Experts will hopefully pick up the paper chase.
Just post it when you get back.
Like you, I will be leaving for the day.
Sometime later this week will be fine. Just ping us when you do it.
Here is what Sanders had to say in the link you provided.
http://home.planetcomm.net/StableAble17/newsletters/april04_2.html
MEDALS NOT AWARDED
The crucible of war is often the ultimate test of human courage. From that searing process emerge those few who went beyond duty and displayed significant courage. Some of these men and women are recognized for their courage by enlightened leaders and a grateful nation. That recognition often comes in the form of medals, from Commendation Medals, the Bronze Star, and upward to the Medal of Honor. Others receive medals that celebrate their exceptional accomplishment in the completion of their non-combat assignments. A few of these men and women earned their medals for individual acts; but most earned them as part of a team. During my service in Vietnam, and since, I have noticed that too few team leaders (particularly officers) fail to fulfill their primary duty of taking care of their troops by providing them with recognition for their courage and professionalism. Too often the members of that team are forgotten by the officers who receive medals for being in the same place at the same time doing the same thing. More often this sin is one of neglect, not mean spiritedness many just wanted to put the war behind them and get on with their lives. However, I may be a bit more sensitive to this issue because I was a "mustang," a Naval Officer who started in the enlisted ranks (as did my father), and my father repeatedly reminded me where my primary duty lay.
During my tour in Vietnam aboard Navy patrol boats I was part of a six-man team, five enlisted and myself as the boat commander. We experienced intense combat together; we fought and shed blood together: were a team of brothers. Some of us were wounded, and some of us did not come home. Because we (note the "we") performed with distinction in combat, I was singled out and awarded a number of personal decorations for our combat performance. I remembered my father's words; I understood that my medals were not solely mine. If I hadn't had each of my brave men with me, "we" would not have prevailed. So I made sure that each of my crewmembers were recognized for their bravery and I recommended them for their awards. I thought that this was the right thing to do, and I believed that everyone else did as well. I was wrong. What I discovered was that many of my fellow boat officers had failed to recognize that they were part of a team and had neglected to take care of that team. (Of course, this syndrome is not
:^D
Is sKerry going to be doing a PRESS CONFERENCE any time soon?
This is not going to go away Ketchup-Boy, hope you enjoyed putting down all Nam vets in '71 and aiding the NV/VC torture our POWs, cause now it's payback time.
As Grampa Dave said: "Christmas, 1968: Kerry with his Swift Boat Crew
in Scambodia. Kerry is wearing his CIA hat that came from Richard Nixon
a month before Nixon was sworn in as President."
Thanks- today is Mrs. B's birthday, and I'll go back & pick that up ASAP- may be a while, but I'll get to it today.
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