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Kerry was on the Gridley from 8 Jun 67 to 20 July 68. I don't know when he was in theater, but the additional service star could be related to his service there. I would have to check to see what was included. I served in country Jul 67 to Jul 68 and off shore for 8 months 1965-6. I had five stars.

Maybe I'm thinking you need to quit apologizing for Kerry, and actually go back and read my post regarding the campaign stars - The first one I mentioned was for the Gridley, because it counts. THEN, I mention the dates of two further campaign periods he was there for part of. I can't find the fourth.

Now, can you show me the fourth, without mentioning the Gridley AGAIN, since I already counted it?

(Oh, and by the way? You were in 'nam a hell of a lot longer than Kerry was...)

Kerry was "in theater" ONLY from about March 5, 68 to May 20, 1968. That's all. He might have had leave on-shore in that time, but he never was in-country in combat. - One story says he flew into a base and saw the Swift boats "in harbor." Does "that" count for a "campaign ribbon" in your book?

Why do we know?

He told the San Diego paper he "off Midway" on February 26 - that was when he found out some classmate had died.

His ship had returned to California by the third of June: So they HAD to HAVE LEFT Vietnam 8-10 days earlier to have arrived back before the first weekend in June.

Assuming that they did NOT stop in Pearl Harbor for a couple of days.

So, most of March + all of April + part of May he was sitting in air-conditioned comfort offshore in guided missile frigate sailing back and forth doing plane guard duty.