Kerry Bronze Star Certificate signature questioned. Investigation warranted?

Kerry's PDF Military Files on his Website ^ | 4-15-04 | me

[moondoggie]

How come the paperwork on Kerry's Bronze Star Award is signed by John Lehman, Sec. of the Navy????

In addition, the date Lehman (supposedly) signed it is not on the document.

Did Kerry not get the award when Chaffee was Secretary of the Navy? If not, why not?

Did Kerry get the award 15 years late?

Or is the paperwork a "sham" and somebody made a big booboo?

I'll post the document as soon as I find it again. Maybe somebody here has it bookmarked? And, if there's already been a thread on this that I missed....please direct me to the proper thread.

Thanks!

[handy]

Outstanding work. Two thumbs up.

[Chad Fairbanks]

December 24, 1968 – Kerry involved in combat during the Christmas Eve truce of 1968. The truce was three minutes old when mortar fire exploded around Lieutenant Kerry and his five-man crew. Reacting swiftly, John Kerry and his crew silenced the machine gun nest

Which was a good thing, because you know how fast those machine gun nests can fire mortars... phew...

[dalebert]

Don't you think that "no proof" is what Kerry is counting on. The fact is he has been in a powerful position for some time so its quite possible. I think he had connections before he ever went into the Navy.

[William Tell]

William Tell [Hey, that's me!] said: I doubt that a person could be "in-country" for only four months and be entitled to four such bronze "devices".

Since Freeper "deport" posted Kerry's service timeline, I decided to look up the VietNam campaigns. What I found, including relevant dates for Kerry is shown below:

Kerry's service in the Tonkin Gulf seems to have qualified him for two campaign stars, since Kerry spent at least one day in VietNam during each of two campaigns.

For Kerry's later service, it may be the case that Naval river operations entitled Navy personnel to be included in the Army campaign.

Thus it would appear quite legitimate that Kerry is entitled to wear the VietNam Service Medal with four bronze star devices. That he would request an amendment to his DD214 to reflect the campaign dates seems a waste of tax dollars to me.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Start Campaign - Tet Counteroffensive (Army, Navy, USCG): January 30 to April 1, 1968
     February 9, 1968 – [USS Gridley] spends time in the Gulf of Tonkin off North Vietnam, 
End Campaign - Tet Counteroffensive (Army, Navy, USCG): January 30 to April 1, 1968

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Start Campaign - Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase IV (Army, Navy, USCG): April 2 to June 30, 1968
     May 27, 1968 – USS Gridley sets sail for the US
End Campaign - Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase IV (Army, Navy, USCG): April 2 to June 30, 1968

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Start Campaign - Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase V (Army, Navy, USCG): July 1 to November 1, 1968
End Campaign - Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase V (Army, Navy, USCG): July 1 to November 1, 1968

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Start Campaign - Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VI (Army, Navy, USCG): Nov 2, 1968 to Feb 22, 1969
     November 17, 1968 – ... Kerry reports for duty ... Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam. 
End Campaign - Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VI (Army, Navy, USCG): Nov 2, 1968 to Feb 22, 1969

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Start Campaign - Tet 1969 Counteroffensive (Army, USAF, USCG): February 23 to June 8, 1969
     [Note: Source lists no Navy campaign between Feb 22, 1969 and Early April, 1969]
     Early April, 1969 – Kerry departs Vietnam
End Campaign - Tet 1969 Counteroffensive (Army, USAF, USCG): February 23 to June 8, 1969

[Robert A Cook PE]

No "proof" needed.

Both versions are listed (here, in the original DD214 discharge history, and the revised DD215 history dated in the year 2000.)

Which leaves the "why did the Secretary of the Navy change 30 year-old records for a Senator from Massachusetts?"

Because the Senator TOLD HIM to change the record... And that Senator VOTES on the DOD budget.

It makes perfect cents. And Dollars.

[stocksthatgoup]

Great Catch .......... Those motar firing machine guns are scarry.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Connections before he left for Vietnam?

Kerry has published pictures of him next to Kennedy while sailing on Kennedy's presidential yacht off Newport watching the America's Cup races ....

I'd say that counts as connections....

[kabar]

I don't have a problem with the citations. They are virtually identical. Kerry has provided both so it is easy to check the differences. What is curious is why they were issued a second time under Lehman over a decade later. We don't have the exact date since the citations have no date. Presumably the date is on the cover or transmittal letter. We assume but don't know if they were issued to obtain replacement medals or that they were never provided in the first place.

[doug from upland]

HERE IS THE PDF FILE OF THE CITATION

[MJY1288]

You are correct, the medals are easily replaceable, the ribbons and any other items that adorn a Military uniform. Here is a link to a website where you can buy any medal from any branch of service ... Pieces of History

The Citations tell the story of how the Medals were earned, to change the wording of the Citations in any way is "Revisionist History" no matter how it's looked at.

[Mo1]

It may make cents .. but it's still a heavey charge to make and unless there is more proof of that .. this whole thing will be thrown back in our faces

I can just hear the VRWC comments now

[Mudboy Slim]

An investigation is most assuredly warranted...MUD

[kabar]

The DD215 was issued on March 12, 2001. I think you overestimate the ability of the Senator to change official military records without any corresponding factual substantiation. I don't buy your conspiracy theory.

[Velveeta]

A Focus on Lt. Kerry's Four Months Under Fire
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34941-2004Apr22.html

[SC Swamp Fox]

I have purchased replacement medals at a Navy Exchange uniform shop. They had them in the display case and I didn't have to show any proof. They were common medals:

Good Conduct
Navy Unit Citation
Navy Expeditionary

[XBob]

HIS DD FORM 214 SAYS "BRONZE STAR WITH ACTION 'V'"

[dalebert]

A big time connection. And we all know what kind of strings the Kennedy clan pulled over the years.

[kabar]

Understand, but you can't purchase individual awards such as the Silver Star, Bronze Star, a Navy Commendation Medal, MOH, or Navy Cross, etc, which go through an approval process.

[Chad Fairbanks]

"Action"? I thought the "V" was for Valor... ooookay. Maybe that's just what they call it.

[SC Swamp Fox]

Check out the link in post 330. They are available for sale.