The INTERSTING word in this case -- is EARNED..
No one disputes that Kerry and Murtha were AWARDED decorations -- the dispute arises around the doubt they were justly EARNED.
Awarded yes... Earned?
Neither will sign the SF180 granting UNRESTRICTED access to the public of their full Military and Medical records.
The stench arises primarily from the number of Purple Hearts with NEITHER "hero" carrying a scar or record of field or out of theater Hospital stay. These were "Angel Kiss wounds" huh?
I would bet granny's rum bearing cow, that 80% of veterans in country, bled more than either of the bastards and didn't apply or get recommended for a Purple Heart...
Certainly smells like they MUST have something to hide...
Semper Fi
Bingo!
Semper Fi
My brother-in-law (First Inf. 7th Cav. 66-68) would be a case in point. Three wounds: Pun-gee through foot (no infection), grenade fragments (cuts, no stitches) and a bullet crease on forehead (stitches required). When he was being stitched up for the bullet crease he asked about a purple heart and was told:
"No, not this one. Now if it had been a couple of inches deeper..."
He also said there is no way he could accept a PH after seeing what other guys went through to get ones for far more serious wounds.