Posted on 04/20/2004 2:48:59 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON -
Amid questions about his military records, John Kerry (news - web sites)'s campaign on Tuesday provided certification of his medals from the Vietnam War, including three Purple Hearts for combat injuries.
Kerry spokesman Michael Meehan said the campaign was in the process of compiling the rest of Kerry's naval record and planned to begin posting it on the Internet by day's end. Kerry said all his military records are available to the public during an appearance Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press."
Meehan said the Massachusetts senator and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee requested a copy of his record from the Navy last month and received roughly 150 pages last week. He said the campaign was in the process of scanning images of the documents Tuesday and they would be posted on Kerry's Web site.
Meehan gave The Associated Press 13 pages that included documentation for the Silver Star, Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. The campaign gave the same records to the Boston Globe last year for an extensive series on Kerry's background.
The documents also included declassified reports that explain Kerry's wounds that led to his Purple Heart awards. They show Kerry had shrapnel wounds in his left thigh after his boat came under intense fire on Feb. 20, 1969, and he suffered shrapnel wounds in his left buttocks and contusions on his right forearm when a mine detonated close to his boat on March 13, 1969.
The campaign could not locate a similar report for Kerry's original Purple Heart. As evidence that Kerry was wounded, Meehan showed The Associated Press a "Sick Call Treatment Record" from Kerry's personal files that included a medic's written note dated Dec. 9, 1968.
"Shrapnel in left arm above elbow. Shrapnel removed and appl bacitracin dressing. Ret to Duty."
Documentation for the second two injuries show that Kerry was deemed to be in good condition and returned to active duty after treatment. But a third Purple Heart meant Kerry could be reassigned out of Vietnam, and a document dated March 17, 1969, said Kerry requested duty as a personal aid in Boston, New York or the Washington, D.C., area.
Meehan said although Kerry could have asked to stay in Vietnam, it was the Navy's decision to request that he be reassigned. Kerry left the country in early April 1969.
Bush campaign manager Ken Mehlman accused Kerry's campaign of waffling on the release of his military records, saying the campaign's position on Tuesday to release the records in "due diligence" is contrary to Kerry's comments on "Meet the Press" that the records would be made public immediately.
"Senator Kerry's record of nondisclosure and his flip-flop on this issue should concern voters," Mehlman said.
Meehan responded, "Senator Kerry's record on the military is one we are running on, not running from. We are happy to compare Senator Kerry's record of service to anybody in the Bush campaign who has or has not served."
Bush was in the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam War, but did not serve in combat.
According to the Pentagon (news - web sites), the Silver Star is awarded for "gallantry in action against an opposing armed force" and the Bronze Star is for "heroic or meritorious achievement of service, not involving aerial flight in connection with operations against an opposing armed force. Bronze 'V' device worn to denote valor."
The Purple Heart is "awarded for wounds or death as a result of an act of any opposing armed force, as a result of an international terrorist attack or as a result of military operations while serving as part of a peacekeeping force."
___
On the Net:
Don't forget that Kerry "reenacted" some of these "battles" he was in on a home video!
Film at 11:00?
This is not going away.
Clue: Admiral Boorda.
Boy, did he ever work the system!
It better not. I want the truth to see the light of day! There was an on-line petition I signed some weeks ago demanding JFK to release these military records....haven't heard any more about it.
by Kevin Caruso
The nation’s top Navy officer, Admiral Jeremy Boorda, died by suicide on May 16, 1996, by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 56.
Admiral Boorda was the first enlisted sailor to become the Chief of Naval Operations, a position he obtained on April 23, 1994.
Admiral Boorda was distraught because someone claimed that he was not authorized to wear two valor medals.
The issue seemed to be trivial. But for Admiral Boorda, it was a serious matter. So serious, that shortly before he was to meet with the Washington bureau chief of Newsweek magazine, which was working on a story about the medals, he shot himself.
Former Admiral Elmo Zumwalt came forward the next day and indicated that he personally authorized Admiral Boorda to wear the medals.
Defense Secretary William Perry called Admiral Boorda “a sailor’s sailor,” and said, “At every stage of his career he put the interests of sailors and their families first.”
Navy Secretary John Dalton said that Admiral Boorda was as outstanding leader and “he was loved by the people of the Navy, officer and enlisted alike.”
Army General John Shalikashvili, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said, “The Navy has lost a great Captain. I and so many others who have served beside him have lost a great friend.”
I'll never forget that day.
Are you saying that the Bush administration will push this in some degree out of anger for what happened with Boorda?
Thanks...I find this interesting.
Wow, that is some density there, brother.... ;-)
The significance is that Mr. Kerry has made his service the central theme of his campaign. If he is found to have received medals unjustly, no matter the reason, he will wish he had never run for President. He would probably have to resign from the Senate as well, even with a Republican Governor in his state. If (and it is still if at this point)Kerry falsified or enhanced his records, while also REQUESTING medals which would lead to his early exit from Vietnam, his political career would be over.
I had thought you had meant something deeper concerning the events surrounding Adm. Boorda's death specifically.
Kerry to his fellow soldiers: "See ya suckers!"
Real presidential material.
Contusions? He got a Purple Heart for contusions? GMAFB.
I guess I am a tin foil hatter. A black helicopter sighter.
I have been thinking that the hildabeast has something up her slimy sleeve. I think that just before the convention sKerry will emplode. The hildabeast will be "asked" to take the nomination. This will excuse her from her promise to the people of NY that she would remain as Senator.
Too many things just don't add up. Like sKerry coming from nowhere taking over the party. The hildabeast on several TV programs.
Is "chickensh!t" part of official military terminology?
Remember Bob Kerry? Didn't he admit to war crimes? Is that what killed his Presidential run?
Just curious. Also why wasn't he (Bob) brought up on charges, seems to me it was the same as Lt Kalley. Anyone have any info on it? Thanks.
Yea and when he told it it sounded like he said BO-TOX. Too funny and kinda strange too as sKerry has this BO-TOX denial.
Exactly. I believe Kerry was so calculating that he decided to serve the most minimal time possible for the sole purpose of collecting a few awards to bolster his political ambitions, then depict himself as a war hero for the rest of his life.
In truth, he's a coward who requested to leave ASAP and left his fellow men behind, then came home and called them murderers.
And this guy wants to be Commander in Chief.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.