OK, the military has always handed Purple Hearts out generously. Any wound that sends you to an aid station rates you a Purple Heart. It has always been that way and it worked the same for everybody, not just Kerry. Since the Korean War, Bronze Stars have been handed out pretty generously, too. Just about everybody who is wounded in a combat zone gets one. But a Silver Star is a very major award. It is never awarded lightly and has to be approved at very high levels. It is only awarded for valor in combat. You don't have to like Kerry's politics (I don't like them much myself), but sliming a Silver Star winner is petty and naive.
I also consider "sliming" the Commander in Chief of the United States about his military service during a time of war to be petty and naive, election or not. The Kerry camp could have made this an issue honorably by stating the facts of his service and saying he was a decorated soldier. His guys are the ones who started the mudslinging over what he did compared to Bush, now he can deal with the fall-out. If Bush were not currently President, I'd say it was fair game, but the fact is we are at war, whether stated officially or not, and the attack on his service record was out of line. Also based on the political connections Kerry had before Vietnam, particulary in the State Department, it isn't unquestionable to think he could have called in some favors. Whether that happened or not I have no idea, but it could have. Sometimes when you make the rules, you also have to play by them. The Kerry camp had the chance to keep it clean, but didn't. Unfortunately, that is what American politics has come to in 2004. And the rest of the world just sits back and laughs.
But not everybody puts them in a spotlight for all to see and admire. I was not aware that Kerry won a Silver Star. I'll have to investigate that further. I can't believe I wouldn't have heard that given the way he whores his military service.
i have read the accounts of his military service, and i find them to be so conflicting and hard to believe that i cant draw much of a conclusion. i can however be amazed that sabanfan didnt know about the silver star. thats some severe ignorance. also i dont think earning a purple heart is much to be proud of. it isnt heroic to get hurt. you could be the worst soldier ever and earn lots of them.
In an effort to be "fair and balanced", here is the story of Kerry and his Silver Star. It is kind of lengthy, but if you listened to his speech Thursday, then I guess you expect that. It also has a link to his voting record. http://www.boston.com/globe/nation/packages/kerry/061503.shtml http://www.boston.com/globe/nation/packages/kerry/061603.shtml http://www.boston.com/globe/nation/packages/kerry/061703.shtml http://www.boston.com/globe/nation/packages/kerry/061803.shtml http://www.boston.com/globe/nation/packages/kerry/061903.shtml http://www.boston.com/globe/nation/packages/kerry/062003.shtml http://www.boston.com/globe/nation/packages/kerry/062103.shtml
Not ignorance. Apathy. I have no intention of voting for Kerry so there's no point in doing any due diligence. By the way, martin. I was walking by the trapeze school at Canal and Greenwich (or West St.?) a while ago. I believe your building is directly across from there. No?
yes it is! directly across and a slightly south. very close to my building. i can see those people swinging from my apartment if use binoculars. i even took a class at that trapeze school, it is awesome. that hudson river park is great. they have ping pong tables and a skatepark there. and i hear your reasoning about kerry.
John Kerry's Silver Star Citation For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Coastal Division ELEVEN engaged in armed conflict with Viet Cong insurgents in An Xuyen Provence, Republic of Vietnam on 28 February, 1969. Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY was serving as Officer in Charge of Patrol Craft Fast 94 and Officer in Tactical Command of a three boat mission. As the force approached the target area on the narrow Dong Chung River, all units came under intense automatic weapons and small arms fire from an entrenched enemy force less that fifty-feet away. Unhesitatingly Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY ordered his boat to attack as all units opened fire and beached directly in front of the enemy ambushers this daring and courageous tactic surprised the enemy and succeeded in routing a score of enemy soldiers. The PCF gunners captured many enemy weapons in the battle that followed. On a request from U.S. Army advisors ashore, Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY ordered PCF's 94 and 23 further up river to suppress enemy sniper fire. After proceeding approximately eight hundred yards, the boats were again taken under fire from a heavily foliated area and B-40 rocket exploded close aboard PCF 94: with utter disregard for his own safety and the enemy rockets, he again ordered a charge on the enemy, beached his boat only ten feet from the VC rocket position, and personally led a landing party ashore in pursuit of the enemy. Upon sweeping the area an immediate search uncovered an enemy rest and supply area which was destroyed. The extra ordinary daring and personal courage of Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY in attacking a numerically superior force in the face of intense fire were responsible for the highly successful mission. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. John Kerry's Bronze Star citation For heroic achievement while serving with Coastal Division ELEVEN engage in armed conflict with Viet Cong communist aggressors in An Xuwan Provence, Republic of Vietnam on 13 March, 1969. Lietenant (junior grade) KERRY while serving as an Officer-in-Charge of Inshore Patrol Craft 94, one of five boats conducting a SEA LORDS operation in the Bay Hap River. While exiting the river, a mine detonated under another Inshore Patrol Craft and almost simultaniously, another mine detonated wounding Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY in the right arm. In addition all units began receiving small arms and automatic weapons fire from the riverbanks. When Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY discovered he had a man overboard, he returned upriver to assist. The man in the water was receiving sniper fire from both banks. Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY directed his gunners to provide suppressing fire, while from an exposed position on the bow his arm bleeding and in pain and with disregard for his personal safety he pulled the man aboard. Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY his boat to return and assist the other damaged boat to safety Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY's calmness professionalism and great personal courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY is authorized to wear the Combat V
LOL, Looks like Kerry was too busy getting citations than to fight any war. I bet he got more medals than most people in Vietnam!
