Kerry: Why? [Connecting the dots on his military record]

Richmond Times-Dispatch ^ | October 31, 2004 | Ross Mackenzie

[aculeus]

Why does John Kerry refuse to sign (as President Bush has done) Standard Form 180 authorizing the release - as only he can - of all his military records?

Why was no discharge certificate issued at the time of Kerry's early separation from active duty?

Why does his medal listing on his own form DD 214 ...

[Death and Taxes]

Those are all good questions. But the most important one is; Why would any American vote for Kerry while those questions remain unanswered?

[tomnbeverly]

Who is the real John Kerry anyway?

[donnab]

Anyone who does lives in the same fantasy production of life as Kerry. Roll credits....

[magellan]

" ... why does his DD 214 list a silver star with a combat V when the citation lists no combat V, and when the silver star with a combat V does not exist in the Pentagon's inventory of military decorations?"

The "V" device is to differentiate medals awarded for valor (i.e., heroism) and medals awarded for action not including valor, where the particular medal can be for either, such as the Bronze Star. The Silver Star is an award for valor, therefore it should never have a V device.

V devices generally are seen on the Distiguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Commendation Medals.

[elizabetty]

I just remembered this. Kerry said while he was working the Admiral he asked him if he could get released from duty early to run for congress. Is this his cover up for getting kicked out of the Navy?

[pabianice]

Kerry partisans are busy stealing and burning this issue of the newspaper...

[hyperpoly8]

The March, 2001 discharge was, I believe, from the reserves. It was an attempt to change history to show that he wasn't a soldier during his trips to Paris, and therefore not subject to the UCMJ. If he hadn't run for the Presidency, it probably would have worked.