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Excuse me - but are you saying that you see NO DIFFERENCE in these two citations????

First citation (as per Hyland), final comments:

The extraordinary daring and personal courage of Lieutenant (Junior Grade) KERRY in attacking a numerical 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.

Second (Lehman) citation, final comments:

The extraordinary daring and personal courage of Lieutenant (Junior Grade) KERRY in attacking a numerical 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 upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Even my little coffee deprived mind and read these ADDITIONS:
1.Brave action
2. Bold initiative
3. Unwavering devotion to duty
4. K. reflected GREAT CREDIT upon HIMSELF

Do you not agree???

Excuse me - but are you saying that you see NO DIFFERENCE in these two citations????

I see the diffrences you cited. I believe that is standard boilerplate for ALL Silver Star citation letters prepared in the Lehman timeframe. The boilerplate language for the Silver Star citation letter was different in an earlier timeframe.

You are certainly free to make more of it, and I will too, but only upon more evidence that we have now.

When folks call the new Kerry langauage "boilerplate" I think they mean that that is the type of language you find in every Silver Star citation. The citation never says "LT(jg)Mitty just kinda went through the motions on that mission but we were alloted a quota of medals by higher command and its his turn to get one" even if that is the case. By the way, I'm not saying that the Navy either did or does pass out medals like that. The modren Army though...