John Edwards: Today, under George W. Bush, there are two Americas, not one:Yeah.
#1: Decent folks. CLICK:#2: Lowlifes.
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.
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/
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 am in awe of your work. Thanks. I can't wait for parts 3-5.
Hoover called them Masters of Deceit for good reason.
http://www.zpub.com/notes/masters.html
Sign Form 180!
It must be scary for sKerry.
ping
bump
BTTT
Great Stuff.
Getting to the meat, Mia!
Parallel path to power to that pursued by your lot's putrid Peking Duckie, shaggs.
BUMPping
Just one word: WOW!!!!
research bump
An excellent piece of research and writing, I commend and thank you for your efforts. Bookmarked for the ammo pile.
John Edwards: Today, under George W. Bush, there are two Americas, not one:Yeah.
#1: Decent folks. CLICK:#2: Lowlifes.
A whole lot of research there. It’s been extremely difficult to keep track of Hanoi John Kerry’s - that despicable, self aggrandizing, lying, backstabbing, seditious traitor’s - differing Walter Mitty tales.
Good job.
Kerry’s account to Douglas Brinkley: “PCF 94 had taken a rocket-propelled grenade off the port side. . .Kerry felt a piece of hot shrapnel bore into his left leg.”
Kerry campaign press release, January 17, 2004: “On March 13, 1969, Rassmann, a Green Beret, was traveling down the Bay Hap river in a boat behind Kerry’s when both were ambushed by exploding land mines
Great job.
Thanks for the ping.
Bumped for when I have time to read it - in work.
Outstanding presentation and research. Thanks.
Please put me on your ping list -- I don't want to miss the remaining chapters.
