[P-Marlowe]

I think I've figured it out. When he threw the "other guy's" medals over the fence... Those really were Kerry's medals! I bet he really did throw his own medals over the fence. Then when he decided to get into mainstram politics, he figured he'd need them for his resume. Then while Lehman was Sec of Navy he petitioned to have them replaced. I wonder if we could find the petition for new medals through the FOIA? I bet he'd say he "lost" them or they were "Stolen". I'd be willing to bet when he applied for replacements he didn't say he threw them over a fence during an anti-war demonstration.

Ok guys is it time to don the tin foil hats? Or is there really something bizzarre going on here?

[kabar]

I think you nailed it. Or maybe he wanted a second set one each for his homes in Boston and Washington. Seriously, Kerry needs to explain the cicumstances surrounding the dupliate citations.

[xzins]

To be honest with you, PM, I think he could have walked into any military clothing store and simply bought them or had a soldier do it for them. A large PX like you'd have at Ft Myer or one of the Virginia military bases would have all of those medals.

I believe the MOH is the only one that isn't kept on the shelf because it's so rare.

Like anything else, medals on a uniform must appear crisp, new, clean, etc., and over time they degrade. That need to refurbish and the need for other copies for multiple uniforms is why they're on sale. The assumption, of course, is that when you buy it that you've earned it.

Heaven help someone wearing unearned medals.

[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.