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!

[Robert A Cook PE]

Stargate, eh?

Neat!

[Beckwith]

You, yourself, can go to a military PX or even a war surplus store and buy medals. It is the documents authorizing you to wear the medals that are important.

Kerry went back, years later, to enhance the language in the citations. This is simply a case of puffery.

[StAnDeliver]

"I equate George Bush's flying in the ANG the same way I see my limited experience driving stock cars at the Richard Petty Driving Experience and racing the Skip Barber Racing Series."

Then despite your "limited experience", you still have an inflated sense of self-importance.

"Yeah, I've done it but it does not make me Mario Andretti. The same way Bush is no Chuck Yeager."

Lame strawman. Bush has never compared himself to Yeager or any other combat flyer.

[barker]

Bump. Will need this info later.

[Cracker Jack]

Bump!!!

[ptrey]

Indianapolis Survivor: I had a very good friend from Gulfport, Ms that was a survivor. Couldn't get him to talk about it. He wouldn't even walk out on a dock over water.

He passed away a few years ago and is truly missed. One fine human being.

[MJM59]

That Agent Orange was some pretty bad stuff. It probably did as much harm as it did good. I tip my morning coffee cup in salute to men like your father, my father-in-law and my father who also served from WWII through the Vietnam era. Men who everyone in this country can look up to and respect.

[Chapita]

bttt

[msdrby]

Could have been done by machine. When I was in P-cola, I ran the machine that signed the admiral's signature to all of the graduation certificates. It could be an authentic signature, and is *his* signature, just not done *by* him, but rather, by a machine with a signature plate.

That said... I have NEVER received a medal with one of these signatures on it. All of my citations, and I don't have anything so lucrative as a Bronze or Silver Star, have been penned *by hand* by whomever is awarding the medal.

[msdrby]

The only thing I can figure is that he was not awarded those until 15 years later. Otherwise, the citations are fake.

[msdrby]

You beat me to the post. This thought has been running through my mind the whole time I am reading this thread.

[msdrby]

Yep... He threw his medals away, then 10 years later, in anticipation of something more, he requested replacements, hence the DD-215 with the 2000 date. This also explains the duplicate citations, and Lehman's signature.

I still don't like it. More flip-flop.

[TankerKC]

It has been said here a few times already, but it is worth repeating: If you "throw your medals away" you can go back to the Military Clothing Sales Store (or go online) and buy replacements. We all do it each time we make a new rack for our uniforms. If you need a certificate, then you request a duplicate of the original. There should be no reason to get a new certificate...unless you are a well-connected politico who survives on war hero status.

[msdrby]

Yes, that IS what I would do, and have done. Though, I have never needed to wear the large medals more than once or twice. Usually, I have had to find the small medals. Other than that, just the standard rack version for everyday.

[msdrby]

BTW, love your tagline.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Uh. Hmmmn. Yep... He threw his medals away, then 10 years later, in anticipation of something more, he requested replacements, hence the DD-215 with the 2000 date. This also explains the duplicate citations, and Lehman's signature.

No. Nonsense. This "summary" has so many holes in it nobody but a Kerry apologist/excuser/fibber could believe it, or propose it. (And, as been noted MANY times in this thread, you just get replacement medals from any of several sources WITHOUT getting the citation re-written and re-signed by a different Secretary of the Navy.)

Also, the 2001 DD-215 has NOTHING to do with Lehman's signature: Lehman was SecNav under Reagan: 15 years BEFORE 2001, and 15 years AFTER Kerry's Vietnam service. A proper Silver Star citation would have HAVE to been signed/authorized by John Chaffee, if the medal itself was given before Kerry quit active duty in 71.

The DD-214 and DD-215 merely repeat the Silver Star award: Which we don't deny: Kerry has always been credited with receiving the Silver Star. The DD-215 ADDS 4 bronze stars to Kerry's (previously unadorned ?) Vietnam service medal. (Or perhaps, given that the Admiral had recently committed suicide after falsely wearing decorations on HIS medal, Kerry realized HIS displayed medals in HIS Senate Office Building Vietnam shrine weren't authorized (?). Something to think about.

"flip-floppinghas nothing to do it. BOTH Kerry's Bronze Star and Silver citations at the SecNav level have Lehman's signature, prepared and issued some 15 years AFTER Kerry left the Navy.

[msdrby]

I'm sorry. Were you attacking me or Kerry?

[Howlin]

He threw his medals away, then 10 years later, in anticipation of something more

What EVER do you mean? :-)

Perhaps this explains why he dumped the expensive Italian motorcycle Phantom Lord told me about -- and got an American made one?

Getting all "revved up," if you'll excuse the pun.

Do you think it's too late to go back and make a list of ALL the changes and all the flip-flops? I mean just the ones we know about are enough to boggle the mind.

[celtic gal]

My husband has 2 Bronze Star signed by Chaffee as well as Air Medals and I can testify that Chaffee's signature is quite clear and easy to read.

[celtic gal]

Forgot to include the dates..his Bronze Stars are for actions in March and October in 1969, The March award was signed and dated in 1969 and the October award was signed and dated in 1970.