This was brought up MONTHS ago ... the documents are years old.
Yes I do know something about this.
One of my collateral duties was Command Legal & Admin Officer. We routinely received requests from individuals, other commands, the records depository, and vets affairs to confirm dates of service etc. for updates to awards that were sometimes decades old. There is actually a procedure in place for review and update of awards.
The Bronze star, by definition, is a combat valor award, however sometimes the paperwork to attach the 'V' device is not processed appropriately. Someone, probably political, noticed the oversight in Mr. Kerry's service jacket and wanted to ensure that it was as complete as possible. A request was submitted, and approved, for the recognition of the 'V', which by rights should have been done at the time.
This is Normal normal normal .. every day business.
I'm not saying I like Sen Kerry .. I'm just saying to pick a better use of energy in efforts to oppose him.
Kerry's bronze star citation signed by Zumwalt states specifically that Kerry "is authorized to wear the Combat "V". Lehman's states "The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized. What's the oversight? What needs correcting" What was needed to correct the Silver State citation or record?
You're the first I've seen who said that. Why does nobody else get that? who also served. And what form was submitted? I see a Form 214 and 215. The 214 mentions this "V", but the 215 does not. I think his citations mention the "V" (i.e. "authorized to wear combat 'v'"). And the 214 appears to be from the early '70s. You lost me, here.
request was submitted, and approved
What, when and approved by who? Are these secretive documents that have yet to be made public?
Let's break down 'normal':
Kerry returns as a leader of VVAW and goes before Congress speaking about a slew of killings, murders, war crimes and general abuse of the entire Vietnamese population, at least generally. Kerry tosses his own medals. He's not sure about that, in hindsight, and seems to invent multiple stories to explain it. I don't think he's ever said he regrets saying the former. And the question about Lehman's documents goes to the latter.
Given that, did Kerry believe he earned his Silver Star by commiting a war crime? The incident with the rocket had him heading straight in against enemy fire, supposedly, putting the troops in danger, the other two boats that might have had to rescue them, tow them out, etc., as someone else pointed out. The weapon was described as a one-off rocket. There's no indication of two weapons being found, or that two rockets were aimed at them, or anything like that being suggested. His supporters call this 'gung-ho', including the two of his crewman who now back his candidacy. The officer reviewing this for a citation wondered if Kerry should be court-martialed. He beaches the boat, and finds perhaps the Viet Cong who had fired now pops up, surprized, and is immediately fired upon with the boat's guns. The wounded Viet Cong runs, described as 'not missing a step' I believe, and Kerry pursues but then kills him, returning it's said with the launcher. Now he's a hero. But was this Kerry's war crime, as he himself saw it? not anyone else, but in his own mind, as he saw it? Did he or does he believe that he was awarded the Silver Star, for which he wanted a second copy, for committing a war crime?
Now of those who served with Kerry, two support him, and will show at the convention. In a photo apparently used in his campaign ads, showing a group portrait of officers, 11 of those actively oppose Kerry, now, 2 are deceased, and 4 not shown in the photo that day, also oppose Kerry.
Those who served with him, commanded him, presumely then who would have overseen his awards, all have insisted that Kerry is unfit to be CINC.
As for the Lehman citations, wouldn't that have to have been requested at some point, and approved? Or do you think someone just used his signature, found a form, typed it up when no one was looking, and filed it in the appropriate drawer without anyone knowing about it, and then went and grabbed a couple of medals - a real inside job? What form is used to request a new set of medals, and who would have to sign off on it? Aren't there any actual procedures for this, a paper trail - traceability (that word)? If you're the expert, here, then shouldn't you know the answer to that?
But it just doesn't appear to be "normal, normal, normal".