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1996: Kerry judged false decorations 'very wrong'
WorldNetDaily ^ | 8/28/04 | WorldNetDaily

Posted on 08/28/2004 11:16:52 AM PDT by wagglebee

Amid questions about one of John Kerry's combat "V" decorations, unearthed remarks by the senator eight years ago reveal he judged an admiral's allegedly false awards as a serious offense that disqualified him from leadership.

After the suicide of Adm. Mike Boorda in 1996, National Review columnist Kate O'Beirne notes Kerry gave his response to two Boston papers.

"In a sense, there's nothing that says more about your career than when you fought, where you fought and how you fought," Kerry told the Boston Herald.

"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."

At that time, a left-leaning news service had raised questions about Boorda's combat "V" clip, which is awarded for valor under fire. The doubt was over whether Boorda's two tours in Vietnam aboard combat ships qualified him for the awards. The Washington Post reported Boorda's right to wear the clips apparently was supported by a Navy manual, but hours before he was scheduled to address the issue with Newsweek reporters, he shot himself.

The Herald described Kerry as among the veterans who said although they would take offense at someone falsely wearing the "V" pin, they couldn't see how it would drive 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," Kerry told the Herald.

Kerry also spoke with the Boston Globe.

"The military is a rigorous culture that places a high premium on battlefield accomplishment," he told the paper.

Of Boorda and his apparent violation, Kerry said: "When you are the chief of them all, it has to weigh even more heavily."

As WorldNetDaily reported, two researchers contend Kerry's Silver Star has an unauthorized "V" for valor which "makes it facially false and at variance with official government records." That's because Silver Stars are given for gallantry and never are accompanied with a combat "V," which would be redundant. But Kerry's DD 214, or "Report of Transfer and Separation," displayed on his website, shows the "V."

A U.S. Navy spokesman told the Chicago Sun-Times, "Kerry's record is incorrect. The Navy has never issued a combat 'V' to anyone for a Silver Star."

The allegations about Kerry's war record come amid a campaign by aSwift Boat Veterans for Truth, an independent "soft-money" group that has produced a New York Times best-seller, "Unfit for Command", endorsed by 254 men who served with Kerry in the Mekong Delta during his abbreviated tour from November 1968 to March 1969.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 1996; boorda; flipflop; kerry; medals; vietnam
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To: Che Chihuahua

The fact that he still clings to his own Heroics only proves that he is insane, therefore handicapped and we are not allowed to discuss it


21 posted on 08/28/2004 11:50:33 AM PDT by TexasTransplant (I made my Fortune selling Sugar Coated Cat Turds on a Stick at the DNC Convention)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
I just noticed on johnkerry.com Kerry centered infront of his campaign slogan "belive in america"

"Vienam" Hmmm coincidence?

22 posted on 08/28/2004 11:52:29 AM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: wagglebee
"his service never meritted a single medal"

For accuracy, I don't think he's being challenged on his second PH.
23 posted on 08/28/2004 11:53:33 AM PDT by ironman
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To: wagglebee

Kerry judged his fellow vets, his superiors and everyone who served.......and now...IT'S JUDGEMENT DAY for Senator Kerry.


24 posted on 08/28/2004 11:53:34 AM PDT by OldFriend (WAR IS THE REMEDY OUR ENEMIES HAVE CHOSEN)
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To: JLS

http://www.johnkerry.com/about/john_kerry/service.html

This is the medal mention on the official site. So far.


25 posted on 08/28/2004 11:55:08 AM PDT by COUNTrecount
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To: wagglebee
I'm hearing in the wind....Kerry may be recalled by the Navy and tried for falsification of his decorations and sent to military prison.....now wouldn't that be fittin'....

In today's climate would/could this happen? That's the question....since the clintoons' got away with literally murder...wonder if they'll let Kerry walk too.....Kuck Ferry

26 posted on 08/28/2004 11:55:14 AM PDT by shield (The Greatest Scientific Discoveries of the Century Reveal God!!!! by Dr. H. Ross, Astrophysicist)
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To: wagglebee

bump TO SUPPORT THE NEW SWIFT VETS AD AND GEORGE BUSH... http://swift2.he.net/~swift2/gardner2.mpg


27 posted on 08/28/2004 11:55:14 AM PDT by freddiedavis
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To: annyokie

I understand that. I am just curious if he is claim the "V" on just one Bronze Star like I thought, just his Silver Star like the article seems to say or some other combinnation.


28 posted on 08/28/2004 11:56:18 AM PDT by JLS
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
here it is Veinam
29 posted on 08/28/2004 11:59:57 AM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: ironman
For accuracy, I don't think he's being challenged on his second PH.

You're right. This is, however, one of the few times that a Purple Heart has ever been questioned. I get more injuries cleaning out my garage then sKerry got for his first and third Purple Hearts.

Many men lost limbs, were blinded, were paralyzed and killed before being awarded the Purple Heart. sKerry's medal are an afront to every American killed and wounded in combat since the Battle of Lexington and Concord.

30 posted on 08/28/2004 12:01:47 PM PDT by wagglebee (Benedict Arnold was for American independence before he was against it.)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

BTTT!!!!!!!


31 posted on 08/28/2004 12:02:36 PM PDT by E.G.C.
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To: JLS

the kerry website is now claiming a silver star, bronze with V and 3 Ph's, though there are numerous reports that he had documents claiming a silver with a V on his site earlier


32 posted on 08/28/2004 12:02:52 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: Che Chihuahua

I believe it all leads back to Ted Kennedy.


33 posted on 08/28/2004 12:06:22 PM PDT by Bonaparte (the lyric said forevermore, forevermore's a memory...)
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To: JLS

I have not learned about a V on his Bronze. The claim I heard was about the Silver.


34 posted on 08/28/2004 12:07:59 PM PDT by annyokie (Now with 20% More Infidel!)
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To: wagglebee

--------------------------------
To print out and wear as a Campaign Button, go HERE. Over 2,500 Freepers have hit the website since 8/28! Feel free to reuse this anywhere you wish...
Donate to Swift Boat Vets for the Truth HERE.
35 posted on 08/28/2004 12:15:11 PM PDT by sonofatpatcher2 (Texas, Love & a .45-- What more could you want, campers? };^)
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To: annyokie

Kerry's Bronze Star was awarded with a 'V' device, as it was awarded for combat. (Bronze Stars can be given for non-combat related activities)

However, there has NEVER been a 'V' device awarded for a Silver Star, as that award can only be given for valor in battle, making a "V' award redundant. No service has ever given out a Silver Star with one... until Kerry, it seems. His records indicate a 'V' device, making the record bogus.


36 posted on 08/28/2004 12:26:08 PM PDT by ex 98C MI Dude (Proud Member of the Reagan Republicans)
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To: annyokie

The Bronze Star IS awarded with a "V" for combat, because it can be awarded for OTHER actions not related to combat as well. The SILVER STAR is NEVER awarded for non-combat actions. Thus no "V" is necessary. Other, lesser awards (Navy Commendation Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Medal) can be awarded for ANY action, combat or otherwise (mostly otherwise) but will come with a "V" if awarded for combat-related actions.


37 posted on 08/28/2004 12:31:22 PM PDT by dcwusmc ("The most dangerous man, to any government, is the man who is able to think things out for himself.)
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To: ex 98C MI Dude; dcwusmc

Thanks. It was my understanding that a V device on a meritorious award was redundant and thus, not applicable to the Bronze or Silver Stars.

I am working off USArmy medals and not the USN's, though.


38 posted on 08/28/2004 12:42:01 PM PDT by annyokie (Now with 20% More Infidel!)
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To: wagglebee; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
"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."

Right back at ya "senator".
39 posted on 08/28/2004 12:42:46 PM PDT by Delta 21 (MKC USCG -ret)
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To: wagglebee

It seems SKerry dug his own hole a long time ago and now we just need to push him in and covering him with all that crap he has piled up around it.


40 posted on 08/28/2004 12:46:39 PM PDT by tiki
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