Assuming Bush was wearing authorized awards, (in a photo) here is a comparison of Kerry and Bush's awards records:
dailykos.com
I have verified the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship ribbon only via a photograph of George W. Bush.
Top to bottom, left to right as you look at them.
Kerry:
Silver Star (Verified via DD214)
Bronze Star (Should have Bronze Combat "V" Device, Verified via DD214)
Purple Heart (Should have two Gold Star devices for subsequent awards, Verified via DD214)
Combat Action Ribbon (Verified via DD214)
Presidential Unit Citation (Verified via DD215, worn above left pocket per Navy regs)
Navy Unit Commendation (Verified via DD215)
National Defense Service Medal (Verified via DD214)
Vietnam Service Medal(Verified via DD214, w/four bronze star devices verified via DD215)
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (Verified via DD215)
Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation (Verified via DD215)
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (Verified via DD215)
Dubya:
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (verified via photograph only)
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (verified via photograph only)
Apparently Bush doesn't have a DD214, since those are only issued to active army soldiers -- you know, the ones that didn't get to play pool volleyball with ambitious secretaries during the Vietnam War.
So if Bush's ANG22 is his discharge paper, it proves that:
The picture has him wearing unauthorized award fraudulently, and
He didn't complete "five consecutive years of honorable service in the Texas State Guard during which the person has shown fidelity to duty, efficient service, and great loyalty to the state" in order to garner the TANG awards given for "showing up".
There is still a question about whether he was ever authorized to wear the AFOUA award, since (documentation for) it shows up nowhere.
And of course, Bush still failed to qualify for the Texas Faithful Service Medal award just for 'showing up'.
It looks like Bush wasn't eligible for the Texas State Guard Service Medal, since the TSG is apparently a whole different entity than the Texas National Guard. However, he should've received the Texas Faithful Service Medal, which is awarded to members of the Texas National Guard who have "completed five years of honorable service during which the person has shown fidelity to duty, efficient service, and great loyalty to the state." Bush's ANG-22 claims Bush served over five years. |
