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Navy Launches Formal Kerry Medal Probe
NewsMax .com ^ | 9/03/04 | Carl Limbacher

Posted on 09/03/2004 8:06:41 AM PDT by kattracks

The United States Navy has launched an official investigation into John Kerry's Vietnam War decorations, saying, "it's the responsibility of all personnel to correct errors in official records."

In a launching a formal probe, the Navy was responding to a referral from the Pentagon's inspector general's office - based on a complaint filed by the Washington-based legal watchdog group Judicial Watch, Fox News reported Friday. In a letter to Judicial Watch, the inspector general's office said: "Concerning our allegations of violations of Uniform Code of Military Justice, we have the responsibility to . . . 'report suspected or alleged violations.' We have informed the secretary of the Navy of the allegations."

Former Navy Secretary John Lehman, who has challenged the authenticity of his signature on one of Kerry's war decorations, told Fox that Navy records needed to be "thoroughly researched and the facts established."

Most questions about Kerry's combat record appear to be based on processing errors, Navy sources told the news network.

However, even if the errors were based on inadvertent mistakes, any corrections would force the top Democrat to acknowledge that citations touting his heroism that have been posted to his Web site for months were false - a development that could have devastating political consequences.

"Even if it was the Navy's fault," one source following the story told NewsMax, "surely Sen. Kerry knew the citations were wrong. Why did it take a formal Navy probe for him to correct records he had to know were fraudulent?"

Kerry received five medals during his four months in combat in Vietnam, including a Silver Star with a "Combat V" designation. A Navy source confirmed last week, however, that in the entire history of the Navy, no Silver Star has ever been awarded with "Combat V."

Kerry campaign spokesman Michael Meehan suggested that the Navy probe was a waste of time and money.

"The facts are clear, the Navy awarded John Kerry the Silver Star, a Bronze Star with a Combat V and three Purple Hearts. It is waste of taxpayer's dollars and the Pentagon's time, especially during wartime, to investigate a 35-year-old Navy clerical error," Meehan said in statement.

In 1996, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jeremy Boorda committed suicide after he was accused of wearing medals he hadn't earned.

At the time, Kerry told the Boston Herald that the error was "sufficient to question his leadership position."

"If you wind up being less than what you're pretending to be, there is a major confrontation with value, self-esteem and your sense of how others view you," Kerry told the Boston Globe.



TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: fraud; imposter; kerry; militaryrecord; navy; probe
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1 posted on 09/03/2004 8:06:42 AM PDT by kattracks
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To: kattracks

Oh my. This is getting very very good.


2 posted on 09/03/2004 8:10:03 AM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (Control the information given to society and you control society.)
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To: kattracks
"The facts are clear, the Navy awarded John Kerry the Silver Star, a Bronze Star with a Combat V and three Purple Hearts. It is waste of taxpayer's dollars and the Pentagon's time, especially during wartime, to investigate a 35-year-old Navy clerical error," Meehan said in statement."

So....they are admitting it's WRONG???? But, not saying so?

3 posted on 09/03/2004 8:10:14 AM PDT by goodnesswins (VICTORY...........brings peace.)
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To: kattracks

I wonder if this will be reported in the lamestream media? I wonder if it would have been reported had this been Bush?


4 posted on 09/03/2004 8:10:44 AM PDT by Andyman
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To: kattracks

When someone other than NewsMax and Judicial Watch report this I will take it seriously.


5 posted on 09/03/2004 8:12:41 AM PDT by Phantom Lord (Advantages are taken, not handed out)
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To: kattracks; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

I hope that someone can find this sourced on an official Navy site.


6 posted on 09/03/2004 8:13:33 AM PDT by Radix (This isn't a Tag Line? Well, could you point me to one?)
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To: goodnesswins

right just like it's a waste of time to investigate some wacko's claim that he got George Bush into the guard.

Where do I send my money to off set taxpayer's dollars for the Navy's probe...

nick


7 posted on 09/03/2004 8:13:57 AM PDT by nikos1121
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To: kattracks

To be more specific. Boorda commited suicide - NOT for wearing medals he didn't earn, but for (mistakenly according to him) wearing a "Combat V" on his EARNED Bronze Star.

This is PRECISELY what is being investigated with Kerry (though whether he WORE it or not is a question). His documents claims a "Combat V" on his SILVER Star that could not have been there (because there is no such thing).


8 posted on 09/03/2004 8:15:38 AM PDT by IMRight
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To: kattracks

WHOA! Be still my heart! This IS beginning to sound good, no, great!


9 posted on 09/03/2004 8:15:41 AM PDT by Marysecretary (GOD is STILL in control, even if Bush loses in 2004!)
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To: EQAndyBuzz

Holy crap!


10 posted on 09/03/2004 8:16:20 AM PDT by gopwinsin04
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To: Phantom Lord
When someone other than NewsMax and Judicial Watch report this I will take it seriously

Thank you. So far NewsMax and JW are less than reliable sources. When I hear this on the news or read it in a main line paper then I will set up and take notice.

11 posted on 09/03/2004 8:17:52 AM PDT by engrpat
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To: kattracks
It's pretty obvious, based on FR discussions, that the combat "V" never should appear on the Silver Star (for anyone). I'd like the first Purple Heart (Cam Rahn Bay self inflicted wound) to be investigated and removed too.

Having said that, it's obvious to me that Kerry did come under fire and no doubt deserves some of the metals. However, his penchant for exaggeration in the citations (some of which he likely wrote himself) is going to hurt him badly, if not sink him.
12 posted on 09/03/2004 8:18:11 AM PDT by CedarDave (Viet Nam Vet, USN Coastal Div. 13, Cat Lo, XO USCG patrol boat, 1968: No atrocities on my watch!)
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To: goodnesswins
Anyone have a compilation of the Kerry back peddling on his FAMOUS WAR RECORD?


First he was in Cambodia while Nixon was President then he wasn't.

First he was the only boat to stay and pick up swamped Sailors then He wasn't

First he was under Attack from all sides of the River then His Boat hit a Mine

First he Took shrapnel for small arms fire then it might have been shrapnel for his own Weapon.

First he was wounded from shrapnel from enemy fire then it might have been a self inflicted wound from a grenade he thru into a rice cache.

First he shot an enemy combatant while under heavy fire, then it is shooting a wounded kid in the back.

First he recieved a citation and Medal now it was a 35 year old mistake.
13 posted on 09/03/2004 8:20:45 AM PDT by Area51 (Diapers and Politicians need to be changed-For the same reason)
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To: kattracks
In 1996, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jeremy Boorda committed suicide after he was accused of wearing medals he hadn't earned. At the time, Kerry told the Boston Herald that the error was "sufficient to question his leadership position." "If you wind up being less than what you're pretending to be, there is a major confrontation with value, self-esteem and your sense of how others view you," Kerry told the Boston Globe.



"Ahdmirhall Booordah comeeted sssooicide for lesss." /Dracula Lantos
14 posted on 09/03/2004 8:21:05 AM PDT by Antoninus (Abortion; Euthanasia; Fetal Stem Cell Research; Human Cloning; Homo Marriage - NON-NEGOTIABLE ISSUES)
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To: engrpat

When I hear this on the news or read it in a main line paper then I will set up and take notice.


Fox news mentioned it this morning, theres a thread somewhere here on FR


15 posted on 09/03/2004 8:22:30 AM PDT by boxerblues
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To: Phantom Lord
In a launching a formal probe, the Navy was responding to a referral from the Pentagon's inspector general's office - based on a complaint filed by the Washington-based legal watchdog group Judicial Watch, Fox News reported Friday.
16 posted on 09/03/2004 8:22:31 AM PDT by 2nd amendment mama (Can The Ban - let the AWB sunset • www.2asisters.org • www.cantheban.net)
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To: boxerblues

A Chicago paper has reported this story. I saw the link here this morning.


17 posted on 09/03/2004 8:23:17 AM PDT by Area51 (Diapers and Politicians need to be changed-For the same reason)
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To: engrpat

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1206202/posts

Fox link


18 posted on 09/03/2004 8:23:25 AM PDT by boxerblues
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To: Phantom Lord

Ditto that


19 posted on 09/03/2004 8:23:57 AM PDT by Constitution Day ("The Democratic tent has shrunk to the size of a dunce cap." - Zell Miller)
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To: Area51

This is getting good.


20 posted on 09/03/2004 8:24:26 AM PDT by boxerblues
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