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Senator Warner,
Yesterday on C-SPAN, I heard you reiterate your disappointing statement on John Kerry's medals, which you stated initially on August 15 on CNN's Late Edition, Specifically, you stated that, "We did extraordinary, careful checking on that type of medal [the Silver Star], a very high one, when it goes through the secretary," Warner said. "I feel that he deserved it."

I believe that you are incorrect that the Secretary of the Navy was the final approving authority for the Silver Star. ADM Hyland, CINCPAC (Nov 30, 1967 - Dec 5, 1970) was the final approving authority for Kerry's Silver Star and ADM Zumwalt, COMNAVUSFOR Vietnam (Sep 1968-May 1970) for his Bronze Star. We have photographic evidence that Kerry had the Silver Star and Bronze Star medals pinned on in 1969. Kerry also acknowledges that he received them.

Former SECNAV John Lehman (5 Feb 1981 - 10 Apr 1987) has stated that he issued, at Senator Kerry's request, replacement citations (and perhaps medals), during his tenure. The Silver Star Citation signed by Secretary Lehman has been slightly altered, i.e., the last sentence, from the Hyland version. The Bronze Star citation remained unchanged from the Zumwalt citation. Why would the Navy issue a new citation signed by the Secretary of the Navy rather than just provide a copy of the original citation?

I understand that as a former Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and then Secretary of the Navy, you must defend the integrity of the process. Also, you don't want to criticize a fellow veteran and senator. That said, I believe before you state categorically that Senator Kerry deserves his medals and that his award were carefully scrutinized by the Navy, you need to base such observations on the facts. Unlike President Bush, Senator Kerry has refused to release all of his military records, which would enable us to see the award recommendation forms and who was the final approving authority and how long it took to process the award.

As a matter of fairness and objectivity, you should be calling on Senator Kerry to release all of him military records. Senator Kerry's campaign has now admitted that his first Purple Heart may not have been the result of hostile fire or contact, a prerequisite for the awarding of the Purple Heart medal.

As a former naval officer and Vietnam veteran, I have great respect for those who wore and wear the uniform. Senator Kerry dishonored and slandered his comrades with allegations that atrocities were a matter of American policy and condoned by the entire chain of command including the Secretary of the Navy and the President of the United States. If the charges in John O'Neill's book, Unfit for Command, are true then Kerry has also lied and cheated to get his awards. This is despicable. I was fortunate to receive a medal with a Combat "V" distinguishing device. Kerry's actions raises questions about everyone's awards.

As my representative, I ask you to join the effort to have John Kerry authorize release of all of his military records immediately. If the process is as fair and transparent as you assert, you should be in the vanguard of this effort. If there is nothing to hide, why not release them?