Posted on 04/22/2004 10:49:24 AM PDT by moondoggie
For future reference:
Chafee signatures:
Posts #61 , 75 , 129
Lehman signature
Post #221
Update for everyone. I finally ran into a reporter who is genuinely interested in this story, i.e. why did Lehman sign Kerry's citations??? (My earlier correspondence with the Boston Globe's Kerry-guy led nowhere.)
This reporter said he'd noticed the signature back when the citations were first posted on Kerry's site. But he never took the trouble to compare those signatures with Lehman's and Chafee's...and then he forgot about it. He asked if I could provide him with a sample of those signatures. SC Swamp Fox gave me permission to give him Swamp Fox's unit citation from 1986 signed by Lehman. I also provided him with the samples of Chafee's signature from these pages.
His next step will be to approach Lehman and have him confirm it's his signature on the Kerry docs. Once confirmed, I would assume he would go to the Dept. of Navy and request all documents related to Lehman's signing of the citations. Fingers crossed.
Hold your breath...this guy seems to smell a story. I'll keep you informed.
EXCELLENT!!!!
Let's just hope it pans out. He couldn't come up with a good alternative reason as to why the citations would bear Lehman's signature. He and I agree there are only two explanations: Kerry applied for replacement medals or he wanted a language change. The last seems least plausible...he would not likely be allowed to "re-write" his own citation.
Yesterday the Boston Herald called for Kerry to release ALL of his military records and clear up the confusion.
I think this is at least the third article from Kerry's hometown newspaper calling for him "to come clean".
Here's some information about the form that Kerry won't sign, from one of the authors of Unfit for Command:
Symmes said, "John Kerry did not deserve at least two of his Purple Hearts, and his military awards are questionable. He has refused to release his military records, which indicates he is lying about his service. We have called on him to sign Standard Form 180, which is a full disclosure of his entire military records, including medical. We are standing on the truth of our assertions--John Kerry should do no less."
http://www.mensnewsdaily.com/archive/r/reynalds/04/reynalds080704.htm
Freep Alert
Brit Hume talked about the John Lehman signature. The General with him (forgot his name but a regular on Fox) mentioned that is unlikely and highly unethical for a SecNav that wasn't in office during the original request for the citation to sign the citation. Also mentioned that he himself lost at least one of his citations and the Department of the Navy (the general is a retired marine) just told him "Here is a copy of the original".
This also just hit today - Looks like JK will be forced to answer some critial questions on these documents:
For Immediate Release
Sep 2, 2004 Contact: Press Office
202-646-5172
PENTAGON INSPECTOR GENERAL CONTACTS SECRETARY OF THE NAVY ABOUT KERRY AWARDS
Reacts to Investigation Request by Judicial Watch
(Washington, DC) Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption and abuse, announced today that the Inspector General ("IG") of the Department of Defense has informed the Secretary of the Navy of Judicial Watch's "formal complaint and request for investigation, determination and final disposition of the awards granted to Lieutenant (junior grade) John Forbes Kerry, U.S. Naval Reserve."
The Defense Department IG cited Section 8(d) of the Inspector General Act of 1978, which states: ". . . the IG of the Department of Defense shall expeditiously report suspected or alleged violations of chapter 47 of title 10, United States Code (Uniform Code of Military Justice), to the Secretary of the military department concerned or the Secretary of Defense."
On August 18, 2004, Judicial Watch filed a complaint and request for investigation and final disposition of awards granted to Kerry with the Inspectors General of the Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy, as well as the Chief of Naval Operations and the Navy's Board of Decorations and Medals. See the complaint and the Department of Defense IG letter by clicking here.
On Tuesday, August 31, 2004, Judicial Watch called upon Senator Kerry to remove the Silver Star citation from his political campaign Internet site pending a review of the granting of the award by the U.S. Navy. Senator Kerry's political Internet site displays a document listing a "Silver Star with Combat 'V.'" The Combat "V" device is never awarded with the nation's third highest award for heroism. A U.S. Navy spokesperson has reportedly stated: "The Navy has never issued a 'Combat V' to anyone for a Silver Star." Additionally, former Navy Secretary John Lehman was quoted with respect to the Silver Star citation as saying: "It is a total mystery to me. I never saw it. I never signed it. I never approved it. And the additional language it contains was not written by me."
"We hope this is the beginning of an actual investigation of the legitimacy of Senator Kerry's awards by the Navy and the Pentagon," stated Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.
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