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.
"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.
Standard practice would have been for the Records unit to generate a certified copy of the original citation, not to re-issue it with modifications. Colonel Bill Cowan stated that was how his own citations were replaced.