[mtntop3]

"There is no significant difference between the citations signed by Lehman and Hyland and Zumwalt excpt for one sentence on the Silver Star citation, which could just be new boilerplate. It needs to be questioned."

It does indeed. The new boilerplate is heavy, heavy.

From the Zumwalt (original):

"Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY's devotion to duty, courage under fire, outstanding leadership, and exemplary professionalism directly contributed to the success of the operation and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Navy." (Note use of the word "contributed."

From the Lehman:

"The extraordinary daring and personal courage of Lieutenant (jg) Kerry in atttacking a numerically superior force in the face of intense fire were responsible for the highly successful mission. By his brave action, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutentant (jg) Kerry reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest tradition of the United States Naval Service."

There is a marked difference in the, above, concluding sentences of these versions....Note that in the glowing, Lehman certificate, Kerry is given full - total - credit for the mission instead of having just, as the Zumwalt certificate states, "directly contributed" to it. These ARE significant differences.

[kaehurowing]

From the Lehman:

"The extraordinary daring and personal courage of Lieutenant (jg) Kerry in atttacking a numerically superior force in the face of intense fire were responsible for the highly successful mission. By his brave action, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutentant (jg) Kerry reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest tradition of the United States Naval Service."

I thought Kerry shot a single wounded VC in the back as the guy was running away. How is that a "numerically superior force?"

[kabar]

As I mentioned, I would have to see the complete write up for the award, not the one page citation synopsis, to see if the additional language was fabricated. If it is made up or embelished, then it is an issue but not a serious one IMO.

[kabar]

Hyland's citation does incude "The extraordinary daring and personal courage of Lieutenant (jg) Kerry in atttacking a numerically superior force in the face of intense fire were responsible for the highly successful mission.

The Lehman citation includes only the following additional statement "By his brave action, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty Lieutentant (jg) Kerry reflected great credit upon himself..." Not too significant in my mind.