[Tacis]

Actually, the DD214 dated 3/1/70 does appear to be in error in a number of respects. It clearly lists "SILVER STAR WITH COMBAT 'V'" but does not mention two ribbons included in the correction issued on 3/12/2001, more than 30 years later, "Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon" and "Navy Unit Citation Ribbon." There are also two Republic of Vietnam medals covered in 2001 that were not on the 3/1/70 DD 214.

The 3/1/70 DD 214 says "PURPLE HEART (3) AWARDS (SEE ATTACHED)" but I've found no attachments. Actual letters (two of which say "Saigon awards you") award a "Purple Heart Medal, Ribbon and Lapel Pin" and a "Gold Star" "... in lieu of a second [third] Purple Heart." The DD 214 makes no mention of these gold stars. So, the version of the DD 214 dated 3/1/70 is in error in many details and must have been reissued or corrected long before 2001.

In reviweing this material carefully, I am convinced that there have to be other documents issued later or as corrections that we have not seen. For example, two of the letters mentioned above say, "A certificate of this award will be forwarded directly to you by the Chief of Naval Personnel," yet there is not copy of the certificate nor of the transmittal document. The letter regarding the third Purple Heart says that a certificate "... will be issued to you ... upon your request" and recommends that such request be made, "... upon your return to the continental United States." There is no record of Kerry making a request or the CNP responding.

These and other questions can't be answered until Kerry releases his entire military file, warts and all.

[elhombrelibre]

He's had at least 3 DD 214. That in itself is very odd. I believe he only got out of the navy once, but knowing him, he was out before he was in and back out again.

[R. Scott]

"Gold Star" "... in lieu of a second [third] Purple Heart." The DD 214 makes no mention of these gold stars.

“Gold Stars”? What happened to Oak Leaf Clusters?

[R. Scott]

The letter regarding the third Purple Heart says that a certificate "... will be issued to you ... upon your request" and recommends that such request be made, "... upon your return to the continental United States." There is no record of Kerry making a request or the CNP responding.

Nothing strange here. Mine also has the stock phrase “A permanent certificate will be issued to you by the Chief of Naval Personnel upon your request. It is recommended that you make application for this certificate upon your return to the continental United States.”
I have made the request a couple times, but the Navy says they don’t handle awards made to Army Personnel and the Army says that as it was awarded by the Navy they can’t issue the certificate. Guess I’ll just have to make do with the letter and not the fancy certificate.

[A Navy Vet]

"It clearly lists "SILVER STAR WITH COMBAT 'V'..."

That's my question...how did it get through the entire separation process without someone noticing, both the orginal 0-3 214 and the corrected 215?

Another good read about these multiple citations:
John Kerry's Puzzling Silver Star Citations: FrontPage magazine