I have looked over the scans of the original documents, and as a former legal and administrative officer I see absolutely nothing out of place.
http://www.johnkerry.com/about/Bronze_Star.pdf
http://www.johnkerry.com/about/Silver_Star.pdf
I honestly believe that as he came to prominence, perhaps as he prepared for his senate candidacy, he had someone review his records. They noticed an ommision, and then asked for a correction/supplement to his record. Additionally, the titular awarding authority for the Bronze Star (and Silver Star) is the Secretary. It could very well be that Mr. Kerry never received the certificates signed by the sitting Secretary, and had asked that duplicate certificates be issued with the appropriate awarding signature. Again, this is something that happens rather regularly.
Was it a political calculation? The dates indicate that it probably was.
Was it a sham? Is there a conspiracy? From what I see; no.
Regardless. my point remains the same: this is a LOSING battle. There are MUCH MORE IMPORTANT issues. Disliking the man, and not trusting the man, is no reason to look for scandals where none exist. Attempts to discredit his military service, whether valid or not, at this point will have no affect.
How about focusing some of this energy in getting the word out about his very real and very well documented national security record? His actions, votes, and statements as a Senator are far more relevant to this election than anything he did, or did not do, back in 1970.
Alas, I feel my comments are falling on deaf ears.
We need facts not supposition. What ommission? What correction was needed?
Additionally, the titular awarding authority for the Bronze Star (and Silver Star) is the Secretary. It could very well be that Mr. Kerry never received the certificates signed by the sitting Secretary, and had asked that duplicate certificates be issued with the appropriate awarding signature. Again, this is something that happens rather regularly.
The President of the United States is the titular awarding authority. It is the first paragraph on all the citations. Who says that the Secretary of the Navy signs all Silver and Bronze Star citations? Or certificates? What happens regularly? The SECNAV signing award citations more than a decade later? I find your explanations wanting.
Attempts to discredit his military service, whether valid or not, at this point will have no affect.
I think you are missing the point. If Kerry lied about throwing his medals away in 1972, then said over 30 years later that he didn't throw them away, but rather, threw someone else's away and maybe some of his ribbons, and then we find out that he indeed was telling the truth in 1972 and requested replacement medals in the 1980's, what do you think the political impact would be? When we find that Kerry is lying, we need to hold his feet to the fire and not give him a pass.
Kerry has cloaked himself in the mantle of a war hero. His Vietnam exploits will be the centerpiece of the upcoming convention. If Kerry threw his medals away and then lied about it, the political impact will be devastating.
How about focusing some of this energy in getting the word out about his very real and very well documented national security record? His actions, votes, and statements as a Senator are far more relevant to this election than anything he did, or did not do, back in 1970.
Kerry's voting record on national security issues has already been publicized in GOP political ads. Some of us find it relevant that in 1970 Kerry was a member of the radical VVAW, which made false and dastardly claims against Vietnam veterans. We find his testimony before Congress as being filled with lies and deceit. His two meetings with the Communist Vietnamese in Paris while hostilities were still going on and then coming back to the US advocating their negotitating positions gave aid and comfort to the enemy. Kerry's associations with Jane Fonda, Ramsey Clark, and others of that ilk are not forgotten. Kerry was instrumental in convincing the Democrat Congress to cut off funds to the South Vietnames dooming them to reeducation camps, slaughter, and fleeing the country as boat people.
Alas, I feel my comments are falling on deaf ears.
It is difficult to listen to someone who has a closed mind when it comes to Kerry and his medals. Kerry has not come up with an explanation as to why Lehman signed duplicate medal citations and he refuses to release his military records. I don't want to give him a pass.