But the official records on Kerry's Web site only add to the confusion. The DD214 form, an official Defense Department document summarizing Kerry's military career posted on johnkerry.com, includes a "Silver Star with combat V."
But according to a U.S. Navy spokesman, "Kerry's record is incorrect. The Navy has never issued a 'combat V' to anyone for a Silver Star."
We had that weeks ago...BUt good to have the back up.
B.G. Burkett, a Vietnam veteran himself, ... Burkett pored through thousands of military service records, uncovering phony claims of awards and fake claims of military service. "I've run across several claims for Silver Stars with combat V's, but they were all in fake records," he said.
Burket has always been 100% truthful about this.
One award, three citations
But a third citation exists that appears to be the earliest. And it is not on the Kerry campaign Web site. It was issued by Vice Adm. Elmo Zumwalt, commander of U.S. naval forces in Vietnam. This citation lacks the language in the Hyland citation or that added by the Lehman version, but includes another 170 words in a detailed description of Kerry's attack on a Viet Cong ambush, his killing of an enemy soldier carrying a loaded rocket launcher, as well as military equipment captured and a body count of dead enemy.
Maj. Anthony Milavic, a retired Marine Vietnam veteran, calls the issuance of three citations for the same medal "bizarre." Milavic hosts Milinet, an Internet forum popular with the military community that is intended "to provide a forum in military/political affairs."
Folks Let me tell you what I believe is very likely to have happened. I refer you to page 82 of O'Neill's book.
Reese's boat not Kerry's beached first that day. Reese and two other Army advisors and their S Vietnamese troops disembarked, assaulted and killed the VC and captured the weapons. Kerry came ashore but only after Reese had secured the area.
Reese was the hero. I will bet that someone wrote Reese up for a SS and Kerry later put his own name to it...Being a dummy Lt and wanting all glory possible he added the unauthorized "V" to the citation.
Serious charge I know...But It has been done many times with combat awards as Burkett documented so well in his book Stolen Valor.
Next week I will draw my 510th consecutive monthly paycheck from the US Army. I have never ever heard of anybody changing a combat award citation. I have heard of men refusing them. But, I have never heard of one being changed. It just don't happen that way.
Something smells fishy on the river.
unclewest |
