Posted on 01/15/2006 4:00:20 PM PST by armydawg1
Jack Murtha's 'Fake' Purple Hearts - An Open Letter
May 5, 2002
Dear Jack,
Im writing on matters of joint concern. A number of weeks ago I was talking with someone who is a mutual acquaintance and your name came up. It was an unusually frank discussion and I considered it private. I did relate some opinions about you and shared some recollections about experiences with you in Congress. I was, to be honest, critical about how you misled me about ABSCAM where you convinced me you had voluntarily told federal agents about the offer of money to you and I learned later, after I had successfully defeated the ethics charges against you, that you had merely manipulated the system to cooperate with federal agents to avoid prosecution.
I also shared my recollection of when you admitted, back in our corner, that you didnt earn your purple hearts (you indicated you had small scratch on your cheek that wasnt even directly related to an APC that ran over a small anti personnel mine that was behind you). The other purple heart you even declined to explain.
At the time you were feeling particularly vulnerable, because it wasnt too long after you had called me crying and sobbing, thanking me for saving your life before the ethics committee. There was no doubt in my mind that you were expressing to me that you did not believe you did anything sufficient to earn the purple heart, and that you didnt want to be active in my efforts to laud Vietnam Veterans that served with us.
Given what I know about the brave men who served in the Marine Corp., I did not criticize you, but to be honest, I was shocked and disappointed in you personally. We both knew what was at issue, and we both know what happened and that you wanted to avoid the limelight. Later, we ended up having to run for the same seat. It was a good clean race and I admit I knew I couldnt win, simply on the basis of voter turn out alone. During that time some people came to me with documents indicating you had used influence, after the fact, or had embellished your purple heart awards. I did not respond, and I said nothing. In doing so I may have betrayed my comrades in arms because I knew then what you had told me in the corner of the house - but I had told no one about that and I stood mute. But a few weeks ago my conversation was private and I was not seeking to do you any harm, though it would be ridiculous for me to infer that I have any respect for what youve done.
Regardless, shortly thereafter a reporter called me and I was put in a very different position. I could either deny what I said in private conversation, and thus lie, or I could fess up to the truth, or, I could take the cowards way out and stand mute. If I say something, I should either have the courage to back it up, or I shouldnt open my mouth. Regardless it was too late, and I did not choose to lie. So I admitted to what I had said. However, I later received two calls from two different aides of yours, and later I was called a liar in the press. I am not a liar and I want an apology for the remarks you authorized that I didnt tell the truth about our conversation. I dont know how you got yourself awarded the purple hearts, but I know you indicated you didnt earn them.
By the way. Im not an ingrate. I deeply appreciate the help you gave me for the last governors primary. In fact, out of respect for you, when I realized that the race was going no where, I didnt even cash the check you sent, (which I kept). Being grateful for your help, I have not sought to hurt you - but I will not betray or exploit the young men who died while fighting, with me, for this country. Never coming forward is one thing - I never have. Lying is another. Coincidentally I just settled an 11-year old law suit with Barbara Hafer where she apologized in writing for campaign defamation and admitted that federal agents (Thornburghs political friends) lied to her. I will not accept your falsehoods now. Enough is enough.
You clearly indicated to me in a moment of weakness, that you hadnt deserved the purple hearts and there was no confusion on that. You may deny that all you wish - but you and I know that that conversation took place. Please apologize now. You may fool a few reporters into believing that merely because you got some perfunctory paperwork made out by a friend, that that means you earned the purple hearts. But even if you were awarded the medals later, there should be affidavits from witnesses. These things should be easy to get - where are they? I bet they dont exist Jack because you are the one whos lying. Luckily theres one easy way to settle all this. Call a press conference. Explain where you were and what you were doing when you got the purple hearts. Explain who was with you and treated your wounds, but most important Jack describe your wounds or the lack thereof, as you did for me, years ago. I am absolutely certain that you wont do that - because, though you may have manipulated some paperwork that says you were awarded the medals (for political purposes) you cant produce the witnesses or documents to show any wounds or circumstances under which they occurred.Unless the Marine Corps gives out medals for unsubstantiated non -combat related telltale scratches, procured for use in political campaign - then show me the money Jack - because there should at least be evidence by affidavit, or record of the scratches, thats what getting a purple heart requires - show me.
You may be able to take advantage of a few Washington reporters who dont have sufficient experience to understand - but you cant fool combat veterans of the Vietnam war by hiding behind Unit losses - were used to those stories. I have my orders describing my combat awards Jack - to back up my DD-214. Wheres yours? And Jack - dont ever call me a liar.
Sincerely,
Don Bailey
Submitted by Kelly Anne
the truth is always worth pursuing no matter the outcome.
The paper work doesnt lie and if he stands by the record let us see the record. I you do not want to know what is true so that you can make an informed decision you must be a democrat.
-PJ
Joe, I suspect the good Colonel has a very serious drinking problem. Even old farts like myself don't look like Murtha unless we imbibe a good 1-2 jugs a day.
Just a thought.
"If Murtha is proud of his service,he has nothing to hide."
Exactly!
Now who else do we "know" who has
refused to release ALL of his military records?
If you desire the truth but fear the criticism then your opinion will be given to you when we think you need it. Fear not what can not kill you.
When you are done with whatever you needed to do, I'm still interested in listening to the method of your madness that you mentioned in post 50.
Bullshit. ABSCAM Murtha is as dirty and implicated as they come.
It doesn't seem to me that going after an old senile guy accomplishes much and in fact is a waste of ammunition.
The French guy, Hanoi John.Still no medical records and the SF180 was a limited release.
Murtha won't release anything, other than another whining attack.But there's nothing wrong with putting him in that position.
'---a lot of vets who received purple hearts will tell you what they did wasn't bbetter than others did who didn't receive purple hearts--'
Very true--however, it seems that Murthas awards were "requested"??---by whom??---if Murtha did it it he pulled the same stuff Kerry did to make sure it was a military record for posterity---whey not get the answer to that?
Did the Swift Vets have any members that understood legal?
Why can't we file citizen complaints with criminal charges against these people? Our elected officials certainly aren't doing their job. Maybe we don't need elected officials.
You obviously did not have any family harmed by this useless POS. I did. May he get, and his family get, everything deserved. He brought it upon himself. Bill Casey was NOT the bad man.
What will be gained is that he will be prevented from speaking as the sole source of expertise in the field of military endevour as well as The expert on the moral of our troops there.
That is afterall how he is being portrayed in the press, The lone voice of reason as well as the expert on everything.
Based upon a sole Marine Reservist's tour in Viet Nam, better braver men then him are being ignored and we are being told to do nothing, to say nothing, to relax and wait for what might happen or for his fifteen minutes of fame to evaporate.
If his awards are bogus, then his entire congressional career has been based upon a fraud unchallenged until now and if it remains unchallenged then he will be re-elected yet again and free to continue his lies about the war.
lol, great display of Kerry purple heart bandaids.
In all seriousness, Murtha's raging dementia is fed and encouraged by the media that currently adores him.
Where were his adoring followers in Code Pink and the media when he was making all of his hospital visits before he spoke out for our enemies?
Murtha is a classic example of every day having to say more and more outlandish things to stay in the media spotlight. Eventually they will tire of him as they have Cindy Mediawhore Sheehan.
John O'Neil is a lawyer in Houston.
God bless you.
Murtha's treason can not go unanswered.
Well said Marine.
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