To: unclewest who wrote (487382 ) 5/16/2012 8:10:09 PM From: Glenn Petersen Respond to of 794130 I have familiar with and respectful of his service. He was fearless. Medal of Honor citation His Medal of Honor citation reads: [6] For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a SEAL team leader during action against enemy aggressor (Viet Cong) forces. Acting in response to reliable intelligence, Lt. (j.g.) Kerrey led his SEAL team on a mission to capture important members of the enemy's area political cadre known to be located on an island in the bay of Nha Trang. In order to surprise the enemy, he and his team scaled a 350-foot sheer cliff to place themselves above the ledge on which the enemy was located. Splitting his team in 2 elements and coordinating both, Lt. (jg.) Kerrey led his men in the treacherous downward descent to the enemy's camp. Just as they neared the end of their descent, intense enemy fire was directed at them, and Lt. (jg.) Kerrey received massive injuries from a grenade that exploded at his feet and threw him backward onto the jagged rocks. Although bleeding profusely and suffering great pain, he displayed outstanding courage and presence of mind in immediately directing his element's fire into the heart of the enemy camp. Utilizing his radio, Lt. (jg.) Kerrey called in the second element's fire support, which caught the confused Viet Cong in a devastating crossfire. After successfully suppressing the enemy's fire, and although immobilized by his multiple wounds, he continued to maintain calm, superlative control as he ordered his team to secure and defend an extraction site. Lt. (jg.) Kerrey resolutely directed his men, despite his near unconscious state, until he was eventually evacuated by helicopter. The havoc brought to the enemy by this very successful mission cannot be over-estimated. The enemy soldiers who were captured provided critical intelligence to the allied effort. Lt. (jg.) Kerrey's courageous and inspiring leadership, valiant fighting spirit, and tenacious devotion to duty in the face of almost overwhelming opposition sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. en.wikipedia.org During the Vietnam War, 246 Medals of Honor were received, 154 of them posthumously . Soldiers of the Army received the most with 160, followed by 57 to the Marines, 16 to the Navy and the remaining 13 to the Air Force. en.wikipedia.org I actually met him about ten years ago, though he would have no reason to remember me,. While I disagreed with his politics, I always gave him credit as a man of integrity who did not flinch from taking positions that he knew would not be popular with his constituents in Nebraska. He was a man who for the most part has lived his post service life on his terms, and God knows that he earned that right. He was an early favorite for the Democratic nomination in 1992. In a lot ways he was the anti-Clinton. At this point, history has passed him by. He should have remained in New York.