But, given the current swirl over his "medal toss", I'm most interested in two issues: the 2-yr gap (70-72) that keeps appearing and disappearing in Kerry accounts AND the "Lehman signature" issue. I want to give the info to a reporter. Before doing so I'd like to make sure I'm on solid ground. Please help me review the following:
1) The DD215 (issued 3-12-2001):
There's been much discussion about this doc amending the medals list. But has anyone noted it also says "Separation Date on DD Form 214 Being Corrected: 03-01-70"? I couldn't find a "separation date" on DD214. Is this correcting that omission. Or did I miss it and it's changing the separation date? Might this amendment be the reason many articles have MIS-REPORTED his service dates, omitting the 2-year gap, some even saying he was honorably dischared in 1970?!
DD 215
2) The Lehman signature(s):
In post #183 Machias Liberty provided a link to the "Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon Replacement Recognition".
That page includes the following "Establishing Authority":
The Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon was established on September 17, 1968, by Secretary of the Navy John F. Lehman, Jr. and announced in OPNAVNOTE 1650 of June 3, 1987.I found the same language at this site:
Overseas Service Ribbon Replacement Authority
Both clearly state that John F. Lehman, Jr. was SecNav on 9/17/68. But Paul Ignatius was SecNav from 9/1/67 to 1/24/69. Best I could determine, Lehman was an ensign in the Navy in 1968. I did find the OPNAVNOTE 1650, dated 9/18/68 and it IS NOT issued by Lehman.
Note that the announcement date fits Lehman tenure as SecNav. Looks like the above is a typo, but it certainly is strange that it's a typo fitting right into the timeframe of Kerry's original citation.
Do we KNOW the date the original citation was issued?
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I think it's likely that Kerry did indeed throw his own medals in 1971 and is now dangerously close to being caught out in a flat out lie. Years later, when he realized patriotic union members disapproved, I think he applied for replacement medals and changed his story to "ribbons" vs. "medals". The replacement citation was signed by Lehman, whose tenure fits the timeframe just before, including, and after Kerry's senate campaign.
I want to nail this down before giving this info to the reporter. What am I missing?
Summary of my questions:
1) What's the significance of the "separation date" change on the DD215?
2) Do we know the date of the original Silver Star citation (later replaced with Lehman-signed one)?
3) Can anyone explain the language saying Lehman issued the OPNAVNOTE in '68?