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?
-Eric
Kerry was in the inactive reserves from 3 Jan 1970 to 1 July 1972. He was then transferred to the Standby Reserves (inactive) until 16 Feb 1978. A brief summary of his naval service appears in the 24 May 1986 letter from the Department of the Navy in response to a request from Kerry. See http://www.johnkerry.com/about/Request_For_History_of_Service.pdf
DD215
The source document for Kerry's release from active duty is included in his Release from Active Duty endorsement dated 2 Jan 1970. See http://www.johnkerry.com/about/Release_From_Active_Duty.pdf
His DD214, at least the one on his site, appears to be missing a cover page or letter. There are only pages 2 and 3. Those pages aren't dated. His separation date from active duty is given as Jan 3, 1970, which tracks with his release from Active Duty endorsement that gave him 1 day travel. The DD215 "correction" doesn't seem to contradict what was on the DD214 if you read the date day/month/year. In any event, he didn't receive his honorable discharge in 1970, only his release from active duty. He received his honorable discharge from the Reserves in 1978.
Lehman was not the SECNAV in 1968. See http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq37-1.htm . I don't see any point in trying to track down the validity of an erroneous reference.
John F. Lehman, Jr. was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 14, 1942. He received a Bachelor's Degree in international relations from St. Joseph's College in 1964, and spent three years in the Air Force Reserves while attending Cambridge University. In 1968 he left the Air Force Reserves and accepted a commission of Ensign in the Navy, where he advanced to the rank of Commander. After serving on the National Security Council and as Deputy Director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, he was president of Abington Corporation. Lehman was selected to be Secretary of the Navy on January 23, 1981 and remained in that post until April 10, 1987
Good luck with the reporter.
We don't have all the documents needed to have a detailed chronology. We don't have the original award forms nor do we have the various transmittal and cover letters. Kerry needs to release all of his military records.