Posted on 05/04/2006 1:13:03 PM PDT by Phil Harmonic
Two years ago, Charleston's Billy Schachte was caught in the undertow of presidential campaign debates over the circumstances of John Kerry's first Purple Heart. He had commanded Kerry's first Vietnam combat mission and his recollection of the experience was very much different than Kerry's published account.
Today, this tussle over truth and confusion simmers on just beneath the public's attention. That's likely to change soon. Television news veteran Marvin Kalb and his daughter are working through a Harvard-based grant to publish a book that will include commentary on the effectiveness and the credibility of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, and Schachte's personal role in the 2004 campaign.
Billy Schachte was a hesitant player on America's biggest political stage. Next time, he says, he will not be so reluctant. He has a pointed response to Marvin Kalb's inquiries and to anyone else who wants to join the discussion: facts define truth and truth cures confusion; Senator Kerry should release all his military records and his personal chronicle. The disagreement can be settled accordingly.
[snip]
In early 2004, New Orleans-based historian Douglas Brinkley published "Tour of Duty: John Kerry and the Vietnam War." Kerry recalled he was in command of the skimmer, and his version includes engaging enemy sampans and then being wounded in an exchange of fire and that's how he said he qualified for his first Purple Heart.
"According to him, I was not even in the boat," the admiral says. "I was astonished. A rookie would never be put in command, and his account of how he was wounded in his first mission is just incredible."
[snip]
...the admiral and many others were nagged by the looming questions: How could Kerry be so confused, and how did he qualify for his first Purple Heart award?
(Excerpt) Read more at charleston.net ...
Hanoi John Kerry was a traitor back then and he is still a traitor back now.
Semper Fi'
Jarhead
Great post!!! I LOVE it!
Agreed . . . along with a lot of other Senators et al.
Ain't that dude busy writing Democrat Fiction for TV?
I've never before heard of any story regarding a Navy spokesperson saying that the Navy had a complete record from St. Louis, and that it was all released. How could it be if there's no original DD214, not to mention all of the other missing stuff? (Stuffed down Sandy Burgler's pants?) I do however specifically recall a Navy spokesperson saying that there were "about 100" documents that hadn't been released. If Kerry ever wanted a job as a teacher, police officer or fireman he'd have to provide a DD214. How's come he can run for POTUS without providing one?
One other thing to consider.... if sKerry's release included everything from the NRO, why then didn't he just submit the 180 to the NRO and avoid providing his detractors yet another reason to slam him for being a conniving weasel?
I am not versed enough in the details of his discharge scenario, but there's an "elephant in the middle of the room" crying out for clarification. Why in the name of John Paul Jones would an anti-war icon of Kerry's stature, who so openly slandered the military "at all levels of command" and expressed such contempt for government, voluntarily remain in the military reserves through the start of the Carter Administration in 1976? What am I missing here?
I can see you are new to the dance. Prior to the 2004 election, many of us did a lot of research and had plenty of discussion on Kerry's service. Kerry was discharged from active duty on January 3, 1970 and went into the Naval reserves on inactive duty subject to involuntary recall to active duty subject to federal statute. He was required to keep the Navy informed of his mailing address and if he planned to travel or reside in a foreign country for more than 30 days, he had to provide a notice of intent.
Kerry was discharged from the Inactive Reserves to the Standby Reserves-Inactive on July 1, 1972.
Kerry was honorably discharged from the Reserves on February 16, 1978. You can find the document in the link I provided to you.
This is a summary of Kerry's Service
We have most of Kerry's official records except for the medical records and the documentation for the first PH. Some believe that Kerry was given a less than honorable discharge and that Carter gave him an honorable one. I don't believe that because I was a naval officer at the same time Kerry was. I had a regular commission, but I left the service on November 11, 1972 and was transferred into the Inactive Reserves. I didn't receive my honorable discharge until the same date as Kerry in 1978.
I could go into much more detail. I have printed out all of Kerry's records and tracked his service. There are questions about why all of his medal certificates were reissued in 1986 and signed by Lehman. Some of the language was altered. Kerry claims he never threw away his own medals, but I suspect he did and then after being elected to the Senate in 1984 and assuming office in 1985, he requested the new certificates. Presumably replacement medals were also issued.
Kerry is a phony. I just don't have the energy to go back over the same ground again. If Kerry gets the Dem nomination, I will be leading the charge to get all of Kerry's records released. He is hiding something. The supporting documents surrounding the awarding of his first PH are what I want to see. I think he forged the documents.
Kalb is on Fox regularly and he always take the side of the MSM.
Kerry had no choice but to remain in the standby reserves until 1978. Although I had a regular commission, I had a similar experience with virtually the same paperwork after I resigned my commission in 1972. I was in the Standby Reserves-Inactive until 1978, i.e., six years after my transfer to the Standby Reserves. I served almost 8 years on active duty.
I'm a Viet Nam Vet and received my honorable in mid '73 after 5+ years active duty (Capt, USAR). I do recall receiving a letter from DOD (not sure exactly when, but I don't believe it was all that long after separation) asking me whether or not I wished to retain my USAR commission, which I declined. Do you recall if you also received such an inquiry and if you might have elected to retain your commission?
I doubt seriously that Kerry will go for the Dem nomination in '08. It would be a blood bath between the Kennedy/Kerry wing and the Clinton wing of the Dimorat Party.
RUN JOHN; RUN!!!
I am a Vietnam vet as well, and unlike Kerry, served my year there. I did receive such a letter and if I recall correctly, I had to let them know if I wanted to retain my commission and remain in the reserves. Otherwise I would be separated. I took no action and received my honorable discharge as a LCDR, USNR.
We seem to corroborate one another's recall, and that somewhat begs the question I raised above. It just seems implausible to me that Kerry wouldn't have availed himself of an opportunity for a complete separation from the military service which he so obviously had come to despise. I know it's only speculation on my part, but mightn't he have been involuntarily extended pending disposition of...well...outstanding issues?
Kerry has always wanted it both ways. He wanted to be the anti-war activist and the war hero. He used his Vietnam service and medals to run for office. During his run for office, it was interesting to note that he included on his web site, his service: active duty (1966-70) and naval reserves (1970-1978).
If you look at Kerry's various runs for office, he always uses the same template. He intimidates his opponents by touting his military record,i.e., Silver Star, Bronze Star, three PHs, and the dashing Swift Boat commander ala the other JFK. Until his loss to Bush, this template proved successful. His reporting for duty schtick at the Dem National convention, arriving by boat with his swift boat crew, and troting out retired flag officers supporting his candidacy would have worked against the Bush ANG record, except for the SBVFT who showed that the emperor had no clothes. Kerry's phony medals including the 3 PHs (no hospitalization) and four and one half months in Vietnam were on display for all to see and Kerry was caught like a deer in the headlights unable to answer the charges directly for over month while surrogates rushed in to discredit the Swiftees, who were essentially Kerry's entire chain of command and most of his fellow officers.
Kerry's senate office has his medals prominently displayed. He uses his military service like everything else, to promote John F'ing Kerry.
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