"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.
In the O'Neill/Kerry debates on the Dick Cavett show, Kerry stated that he thought for two weeks about leaving after he received his third PH and finally decided that he would be more effective in ending the war if he curtailed his tour and left. In actuality, a curtailment request was already in Washington on March 17. When he left on March 26, it was almost two weeks from the March 13 incident, but the decision to leave must have been made almost immediately.