KERRY'S WAR VS. KERRY (Silver Star)

New York Post Online ^ | August 29, 2004

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Former Navy Secretary John Lehman denied at week's end having written the Silver Star citation that appears on John Kerry's campaign Web site over Lehman's signature, dealing the Democrat's presidential campaign another stunning blow.

Which makes us wonder: Does Kerry still believe that running on his Vietnam will gain him the White House?

Kerry's Silver Star is the most prestigious of his Vietnam decorations — it's the nation's third-highest for combat valor — but there are at least three official versions of how he earned it.

The most recent — and the one with the most florid rhetoric — allegedly was signed by Lehman. But the former Navy secretary told the Chicago Sun-Times Friday: "I never saw it. I never signed it it. I never approved it."

Nevertheless, there it is on Kerry's Web site, over Lehman's signature.

It's a bewilderment, to put it mildly.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Kerry citation a 'total mystery' to ex-Navy chief (John Lehman)***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...." ***

'V' for valor or Kerry's version?*** ....On Friday, the Chicago Sun-Times ran a similar story by Thomas Lipscomb, who spoke to B.G. Burkett, author of "Stolen Valor" and recipient of the Army's highest award given to a civilian, the Distinguished Civilian Service Award. For his book, Mr. Burkett had to read thousands of military records to uncover phony claims of awards. "I've run across several claims for Silver Stars with combat 'V's, but they were all in fake records," he told Mr. Lipscomb.

Mr. and Mrs. Holzer bring up another interesting point. Over at JohnKerry.com, the Navy citation for Mr. Kerry's Silver Star does not mention the combat "V". It appears, then, that the Navy didn't mistakingly grant a "V" with Mr. Kerry's Silver Star. So, how did it get into Mr. Kerry's DD 214? .... ***

[Agent Smith]

More nails for Lurch's coffin!

[Jeff Chandler]

[Just mythoughts]

So if Lehman didn't sign it then who stole his signature stamp?

JFKerry was a sitting senator at this time so who was there at this level that would have done this for him?

[Casloy]

I have a question. I know you can get a Bronze star without a V for service beyond the call of duty, but I always thought a Silver Star and above was only for valor? I've never heard of a silver star requiring the V to distinguish it from a non valor silver star.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

[Cincinatus' Wife]

From second LINK in Post #1:

***According to military experts and historians, the combat "V" is never awarded with a Silver Star. As Henry Mark and Erika Holzer note in Frontpagemag.com, "it would be redundant to award a Silver Star for 'gallantry' and then embellish it with a 'V' for valor." The authors also cite the Navy Awards Manual, which describes the laws concerning Combat Distinguishing Devices: Prior to 1974, "the 'V' was authorized for wear on the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal." Since then, about four more medals have been authorized. Conspicuously missing of course is the Silver Star. ***

[MonroeDNA]

The guy is such a liar.

Medal Hound.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Retired rear admiral contends Kerry wound not from enemy fire***WASHINGTON -- William L. Schachte Jr., a retired rear admiral, yesterday said he was on the same small boat as Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kerry during a 1968 river mission in Vietnam but did not witness any enemy fire during the event for which Kerry received his first Purple Heart. ***

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

How long will it take for Kerry to call a press conference to attempt to clear this mess (his fabricated war record) up? If he doesn't do it, and it seems that he's hoping like hell he won't have to, he's going to continue to plummet, which is fine by me.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

***....While Kerry refused to speak to reporters last week, ostensibly because his staff did not want him to perpetuate the story, he has raised the issue every day in one form or another as polls indicate voters beginning to blame Bush for the attacks.

Yesterday's speech by Clark, who departed the stage and left the rally immediately after his remarks, guaranteed more coverage as the Republicans convened for their quadrennial convention in New York and Kerry left for a working vacation on Nantucket.

Kerry was then introduced by Jim Rassmann, the former Army Green Beret he rescued during one of the battles now questioned by the anti-Kerry veterans. *** Clark defends Kerry’s record, slams Bush

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

JOHN FORBES KERRY SILVER STAR CITATION REVISIONS - FULL TEXTS

"The Incredibly Shrinking Silver Star"

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)

Any typographical errors are my responsibility.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thanks!!

[XHogPilot]

bump

[Cincinatus' Wife]

That's clever but oh so hard to look at. Yuck.

[ppaul]

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/2/prweb103472.htm

  

  

John Kerry's "The New Soldier" -- Why Is This Book So Hard to Find?

John Kerry's "The New Soldier" -- Why Is This Book So Hard to Find?

Kerry supporters are willing to pay hundreds of dollars to get a copy of Kerry's hard-to-find book, The New Soldier. Some of those bidding on Ebay reveal why.

(PRWEB) -- An unusual thing is happening over at Ebay. One of John Kerry’s books, The New Soldier, received a bid of $355 and didn’t even meet its reserve price. Another copy of the book is up to $147.50 and the bidding isn't over.

It isn't common for the books of presidential contenders to be that expensive. Wesley Clark’s book, Winning Modern Wars, is also available on Ebay. One copy has an asking price of $15.00, another is going for $9.99. Kerry's other books are selling at similarly reasonable prices.

One of the potential buyers says she was drawn to bid on the book because she is a Vietnam vet and interested in Kerry's viewpoint.

Another of the bidders said he'd recently donated to the Kerry campaign because he believes Kerry is the man to beat Bush. “John Kerry and his friends were right to do what they did in Washington, D.C. back then. I think the acts discussed in the book show great insight at an early age and quite frankly I want to read the manuscript to make sure my assumptions are correct.”

But the reason why a former library book with no dust jacket and “slight wear" might fetch an asking price of over three hundred dollars is somewhat more complex.

The description in one of the Ebay listings reads, "Due to the controversial nature of the book, most copies were pulled off the shelves when Kerry decided to run for office making this book a rare find."

The seller of the first book stated that he is a Republican with an open mind and had got his copy signed at the Old Capitol mall in Iowa City when Kerry was campaigning there recently. But he had some reservations about the item he was selling. “I am a marine and do not care for the cover of the book,” he said. Because “what they are actually trying to do is mock the Iwo Jima flag raising done by the marines in the past.”

Iwo Jima is where nearly 7000 marines died in World War II. Six marines were forever immortalized in a photograph as they raised the American flag over the island. Only three of the six ever got to go home again.

The cover of "The New Soldier" features a group of long-haired men mimicking the famous photograph with an upside down flag.

We'll probably be seeing a lot more of this rare book in the coming months.

[onyx]

Good work.
Thanks.

[VisualizeSmallerGovernment]

How long will it take for Kerry to call a press conference to attempt to clear this mess (his fabricated war record) up?

I think he's waiting for Bush to actually say something bad about him, which he never does and never will.

The longer this drags on, the more Bush looks like the roadrunner and Kerry looks like Wiley E. Coyote. There's no way Kerry finishes this thing without falling off an 800 foot cliff with an Acme brand anvil attached to his neck.

[Major_Risktaker]

WOW! That is great work!!

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

Why is Kerry advertising three different versions of one citation?