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.
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
"Vienam" Hmmm coincidence?
Kerry judged his fellow vets, his superiors and everyone who served.......and now...IT'S JUDGEMENT DAY for Senator Kerry.
http://www.johnkerry.com/about/john_kerry/service.html
This is the medal mention on the official site. So far.
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
bump TO SUPPORT THE NEW SWIFT VETS AD AND GEORGE BUSH... http://swift2.he.net/~swift2/gardner2.mpg
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.
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.
BTTT!!!!!!!
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
I believe it all leads back to Ted Kennedy.
I have not learned about a V on his Bronze. The claim I heard was about the Silver.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.