Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: hobson
"Another account of the same event:The Long War of John Kerry Admiral Elmo Zumwalt later joked that he wasn’t sure if he should give Kerry the Silver Star or court-martial him for his actions on February 28, 1969. Kerry had ignored standard operating procedure as his squadron ferried troops up the river that day."

Pertinent. This is from a gooey piece in The New Yorker but info pops up everywhere....

525 posted on 04/23/2004 12:43:20 PM PDT by mtntop3 ("Those who must know before they believe will never come to full knowledge.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 495 | View Replies ]


To: mtntop3; VeniVidiVici; R. Scott; Howlin
I compiled this quickly so if there are any errors please let me know.

Date Medal Action Wound Treatment
12/2/1968 Purple

According to Kerry's own description in Douglas Brinkley's Tour of Duty, the Dec. 2, 1968, mission behind what he has claimed to be his first Purple Heart was "a half-assed action that hardly qualified as combat."

slightly wounded on his arm,

"Shrapnel in left arm above elbow.

"He had a little scratch on his forearm, and he was holding a piece of shrapnel," Mr. Hibbard said.

Shrapnel removed and appl[ied] bacitracin dressing. Ret[urned] to duty."
2/20/1969 Purple

Kerry and crew involved in combat

PCF 94 came under intense hostile A/W and rocket fire

shrapnel wound in his left thigh

Condition good, prognosis good, presence of NOK is not medically warrented.

Treated by MO aboard USCGC Wachusetts and returned to duty with coastal division.

2/28/1969 Silver Admiral Elmo Zumwalt later joked that he wasn’t sure if he should give Kerry the Silver Star or court-martial him for his actions on February 28, 1969. Kerry had ignored standard operating procedure as his squadron ferried troops up the river that day. (beached PCF, twice)  And this statement was made despite the fact Zumwalt had personally pinned a Silver Star on Mr. Kerry. No wound

Commendation signed by Lehman

Commendation signed by Zumwalt

3/13/1969 Bronze and Purple Kerry directed his gunners to provide suppressing fire, while from an exposed position on the bow, his arm bleeding and in pain and with disregard for his safety, he pulled the man aboard.

his arm bleeding and in pain and

The Personnel Casualty Report from that day says Mr. Kerry "suffered shrapnel wounds in his left buttocks and contusions on his right forearm when a mine detonated close aboard" his boat.

Another Source

But the citation for the Bronze Star that he was awarded for the same action described "his arm bleeding and in pain," saying nothing about arm bruises or shrapnel wounds anywhere.

Condition good, prognosis good, presence of NOK is not medically warrented.

Treated by Medical Officer aboard USCGC Spencer, returned to duty with coastal division eleven.


538 posted on 04/23/2004 2:16:57 PM PDT by hobson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 525 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson