Posted on 08/30/2004 5:39:36 PM PDT by Fedora
http://www.vnsfvetakerry.com/jim_rassmann.htm
"If Rassman was an A&D clerk, his knowledge of how to get
awards approved was probably very interesting to Kerry."
Goes to motive and opportunity.
Why does there exist an Army document stating that
Rassmann was awarded a PH for some action that day?
Thanks :)
Purple Heart #1
I would add to the Documentary Record the fact that no casualty report was filed or at least made public.
I would add ADM Schachte's interview with MSNBC's Lisa Myers as source material-- http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5840657/
."Hibbard later acquiesced to the award after receiving some correspondence—from whom he does not recall."
In Unfit for Command" Hibbard says he did not remember approving the award. Moreover, the award was not approved by NAVSUPPACT Saigon until Feb 28, 1969. The processing time (3 mionths) appears to substantiate Hibbard's claim that he did not approve the award and that it was shopped around once Kerry was transferred into Coastal Division 11. A PH requires a casualty report by a medical doctor and an after action report to substantiate enemy contact.
Silver Star
According to Kerry’s account as reported by biographers Gerald Nicosia and Douglas Brinkley, paperwork was submitted requesting that Kerry be awarded a Navy Cross (a very rare award only given to 120 Naval personnel during the entire Vietnam War)20, but Admiral Zumwalt intercepted the paperwork and changed the request to a Silver Star in order that he could authorize the request himself and bypass the lengthy process of Congressional approval, for the sake of boosting the morale of Coastal Division 11, allegedly.
It is doubtful that ADM Zumwalt had the authority to approve the Silver Star. More than likely, ADM Hyland, CINCPAC, had the final approval authority, which is why he signed the citation. Secretary Lehman has stated that the citation signed by him (by autopen) was a replacement citation that went through a standard process. He wouldn't, as a standard matter, review or approve such requests.
Purple Heart #3
A few additional items: The boats stayed in the area for over 60 minutes readying PCF 3 for towing bringing into question the alleged automatic and small arm hostile fire.
Kerry initiated a request for reassignment on March 17, four days after the incident, basing his request on an obscure regulation that permitted personnel to be reassigned with Navy approval. Kerry left Vietnam on March 26 (based on his fitness report.) According to O'Neill, Kerry left An Thoi on March 17.
Darksheare! I forgot to mention in the footnotes that it was your fault :)
Thanks!
I can stand Allan...I can't stand Kerry for a minute.
LOL!
I had to deny involvement in a Chupacabra thingy...
I have a Word version I could send you, but it's written in html code so I could post it here.
How about....
Kerry lied.
The end.
Good collection. Thanks! I have a couple "additions" or points of view, if you will.
With regard to the Silver Star, you might point out the language in the citation (my paraphrase) "Kerry attacked a numerically superior enemy force in the facte of intense fire." That is, IMO, at least as important as the details of the single VC. None of the stories I've read (e.g., Rood) corroborates the "numerically superior enemy" or the "while under intense fire" aspects. Elliott has said he would not have passed the Silver Star recommendation, if Kerry's action was simply dispatching a single VC (infered in that, no matter the single VC's condition, age, etc.).
With regard to the damage report that recites PCF-94 (should be PCF-3), an independent reference is http://swiftboats.net/
"Seems our MSM investigative journalists can't be bothered with it."
Some things I really wish the MSM would pick up which can be established independently of the Swift Boat Veterans' testimony are the self-contradictions in Kerry's accounts; the physical problems with Kerry's scenario (which boat was Rassmann on, how did Kerry manage a starboard turn from the right side of the river, why no bullet hole damage, etc.); and Kerry's mention in his Senate testimony that he wrote after-action reports.
Thanks for that link and info--didn't notice that about Rassmann's background--very interesting. I didn't get into the question of Rassmann's PH here because it would've made the article more involved, but it's definitely a good question. Thurlow also seems to be starting to wonder if someone pulled some shennanigans in the reporting that led to his award.
That's a scary picture! :)
John Kerry could not have obtained an exemption from the draft by attending law school. S-2, student deferments, were granted for undergraduate study and (I think) for post graduate study as a ministerial or medical student, but not a law student.
"I would add to the Documentary Record the fact that no casualty report was filed or at least made public."
Yes--and what I find especially interesting there is this piece of information I mention: "Kerry reportedly showed Boston Globe reporters a 1-page document describing the treatment of the injury in the following terms: 'Shrapnel in left arm above elbow. Shrapnel removed and apply Bacitracin dressing. Ret to duty.'" Why has Kerry not released this complete document, if it exists?
Thanks for the link to the additional source material on Schachte.
I've wondered, also about how that Hibbard quote I include relates to what he says in "Unfit for Command". I've been trying to come up with a scenario that puts the pieces together. It's evident Kerry went to someone after Hibbard turned him down. The how remains a mystery to me.
"It is doubtful that ADM Zumwalt had the authority to approve the Silver Star."
I've seen that issue raised--I forget where, I need to track it down. Seems key.
"A few additional items: The boats stayed in the area for over 60 minutes readying PCF 3 for towing bringing into question the alleged automatic and small arm hostile fire."
Interesting detail. . .
"Kerry initiated a request for reassignment on March 17, four days after the incident, basing his request on an obscure regulation that permitted personnel to be reassigned with Navy approval. Kerry left Vietnam on March 26 (based on his fitness report.) According to O'Neill, Kerry left An Thoi on March 17."
That's also interesting. I didn't notice that, but I'd noticed a bit of a related apparent discrepancy. I think Wright says Kerry was gone the day after he talked to him.
Allan always reminds me of a rat's face on a human body.
Nope (as they say down south): he sure tweren't anybody's pretty chile...
I'll have to ask Mulder and Scully on that one :)
Hey, I might use that--LOL!
I'll add a link to my John F. Kerry Timeline.
BTW, the timeline has been linked to a couple dozen blogs, so it's getting some attention.
.
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