posted on August 23, 2004 09:14:02 PM newWHAT not more lies about kerrys medals? Tell me someone on kerry's staff didn't embellish his official service records then post them on his web site.
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As the authors of Fake Warriors: Identifying, Exposing and Punishing Those Who Falsify Their Military Service, we receive scores of emails on our website either asking questions about the Fake Warrior phenomenon (which has reached epidemic proportions), or reporting sightings which sometimes lead to exposure and even fines or jail terms.
One Vietnam vet with nearly forty years of military service who retired as a major, spurred on by the revelations in our book, and, in his words. “having seen hundreds of DD 214s” (a veteran’s Record of Transfer or Separation), recently decided to take a close look at John Kerry’s DD 214, which is posted on his website. What the major called to our attention, which we have since verified, raises some extremely troubling questions about John Kerry’s Silver Star. Keep in mind that the Silver Star is the third-highest medal our Nation can bestow (after only the Medal of Honor and the three service “Crosses”).
Kerry's DD 214 lists a Silver Star with a combat “V” (for valor). As the major correctly observes, the “V” is never awarded with the Silver Star. But the actual wording on Kerry’s DD 214 (see www.johnkerry.com) is: “SILVER STAR WITH COMBAT ‘V’.”
There is an abundance of anecdotal evidence that a combat “V” (called a “Combat Distinguishing Device”) is simply not awarded with a Silver Star. For example, a former Vietnam War POW told us that he has “three SSs, and there was no V for any of them.” Countless other Silver Star recipients all say the same thing. Why? Because, among other reasons, it would be redundant to award a Silver Star for “gallantry” (the statutory term) and then embellish it with a “V” for valor.
Most conclusive, however, is that the law is very clear about the award of Combat Distinguishing Devices. According to the Navy Awards Manual:
Bronze "V" (Combat Distinguishing Device).
Prior to . . . 1974, the "V" was authorized for wear on the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal. Between . . .1974 and . . . 1991, the "V" was authorized for wear on the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal and Navy Commendation Medal. [In] . . . 1991, the "V" was authorized for wear on the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. In all cases, the Combat Distinguishing Device may only be worn if specifically authorized in the citation. See also http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Valor_device.
Because the “V” is authorized for only the ten awards cited above, but not for the Silver Star, Kerry’s Silver Star citation (the “explanation” of why the award was made) does not even mention the “V” for valor (see www.johnkerry.com).
The presence of the combat “V” with Kerry’s Silver Star on his DD 214 raises two extremely disquieting questions. How did the unauthorized “V” get there, and why has Kerry allowed it to remain?
The first question should not be taken lightly because we are talking about possible federal crimes. We are talking about the possibility of a forged official document. We are talking, as well, about Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001, which states: “[W]hoever, in any manner within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the United States, knowingly and willfully . . . makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years or both.”
Was the combat “V” added by a sloppy clerk or a yeoman’s typo thirty years ago? Was someone pressured or persuaded to add it? If Kerry had nothing to do with the gratuitously added combat “V,” why didn’t he have his DD 214 corrected when he was separated from the Navy?
Which gives rise to the second disturbing question: If Kerry was not a party to the unauthorized “V,” why, for all these years, has he allowed his DD 214 to remain uncorrected and to repose on his website?
In light of the recent Swift Boat revelations and the cloud they have cast over Kerry’s awards, one plausible answer is that this is yet another example of Kerry’s multiple, and increasingly transparent, lies about his alleged heroics in Vietnam.
Let’s hope it won’t take a controversial TV spot to spark a mainstream media investigation of how candidate Kerry received an unearned “V” for valor.
Henry Mark Holzer [www.henrymarkholzer.com; [email protected]], Professor Emeritus at Brooklyn Law School, specializes in federal appeals. Erika Holzer [www.erikaholzer.com] is a lawyer and novelist. They are co-authors of “Aid and Comfort”: Jane Fonda in North Vietnam.
posted on August 24, 2004 06:31:52 AM new
LOL thanks Bear... that is the truth... no need for the "V" with the silver star... kerry has put his foot so far down his throat he can't even make more empy promises... LOL
posted on August 24, 2004 07:11:33 AM new
As the most egregious liar in the history of U.S. Presidents, George w. Bush, sits in the oval office, most Americans agree that we need a truthful president and will vote for Kerry!
posted on August 24, 2004 07:44:17 AM new
Not happening helen and I think that is what is bothering the left the most, even Ed Koch is going to support President Bush.
posted on August 24, 2004 10:42:23 AM new
Helen all you libs love calling Pres Bush a liar and state that since he is a liar he shouldn't be president.
So in your way of rationalizing, shouldn't you also be saying kerry is unfit to be president because of all his lies?
posted on August 24, 2004 05:20:09 PM new
Bear & Twelve, you guys remind me of Baghdad Bob. Remember how he said everything was running smoothly and his side was winning?
[ edited by kraftdinner on Aug 24, 2004 05:20 PM ]
posted on August 24, 2004 05:22:22 PM new
The 'talking' has just begun. Just wait until the SBVTs second ad starts showing....you know helen, the one where kerry's anti-war actions and statements are discussed.
Would be nice if they'd have a POW on the ad who could testify just how damaging kerry's statements were to their well being when our enemies used them against our soldiers. Yea kerry....the communists used your words against our American soldiers - torchered you to sign papers admitting you were committing war crimes..the war crimes kerry said you committed.
I'll bet American's will be able to identify with the soldiers anger towards kerry when they hear that.
posted on August 24, 2004 05:48:03 PM new
Exactly, Kraft!
Just wait until the next ads....... just wait..... just wait...... the eager anticipation of some awaiting the next piece of dirt that they can read on their fave rag site reminds me of Luther the Letch drooling over his next porno movie release.
posted on August 24, 2004 05:59:28 PM new
I hope they keep it up till election. This is firing up the democrat base, and turning people away from Bush. Give bush enough rope and he will hang himself.
I see o'neill is on hannity AGAIN....geeze it's like a broken record with these people.
posted on August 24, 2004 06:11:43 PM new
I think so too. The sleaze is already backfiring on them. As I read on another site today, the smearboat is sinking!
posted on August 24, 2004 06:54:28 PM new
Helen, here is a nother report showing the Swift Boat Vets are wrong. Somebody who actually served beside Kerry is telling his side of the story.
posted on August 24, 2004 08:14:34 PM newMSNBC Helen? Isn't that the most liberal of all the news media. I would expect them to post that type of poll, being as they most likely polled registered demo's.
It doesn't explaing why "Unfit for Command" is currently Number 1 on the NYT's bestseller list.
From your viewpoint, MSNBC may be liberal but not from mine. BTW...I just checked and the book has dropped to number three if it was ever number one, that is.
posted on August 24, 2004 09:12:45 PM new
You're right (cough choke gasp cough) Helen, I should have said No 1 at Amazon.com
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Poll of Swift Vet ads.
Should the Swift Boat Vets drop their ads against Kerry?
No, it's the most accurate indicator of Kerry's true character 49.07% (5048)
No, the veterans have a right to be heard 33.97% (3495)
No, the ad campaign should be stepped up 12.55% (1291)
No, I support the ads 2.05% (211)
Yes, the ads are bogus and slanderous 0.63% (65)
Yes, the ads are a distraction from the real issues 0.60% (62)
Yes, all non-party ads should be banned 0.51% (52)
Other 0.34% (35)
Yes, the ads are inaccurate 0.15% (15)
Yes, the campaign is between Bush and Kerry 0.13% (13)
TOTAL VOTES: 10287
"Unfit for Command," the scathing critique of John Kerry's service in Vietnam, will appear on the New York Times best-seller list at No. 1 on Sept. 5.
As WorldNetDaily reported, the blockbuster will make its New York Times debut on the Aug. 29 list at No. 3.
The book, by John O'Neill and Jerome Corsi, takes aim at several of Kerry's claims about his four-month tour of duty in Vietnam and has, along with controversial TV ads by Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, become a major issue in the presidential campaign.
Often using Kerry's own words and comparing them to official records and other veterans' accounts, the authors claim the Democratic presidential nominee lied about the circumstances surrounding his Purple Hearts and other medals, as well as his contentions about having been in Cambodia at Christmastime 1968.
"Unfit for Command" currently is No. 1 on both Amazon.com's sales chart and Barnes & Noble's online best-seller list, and has been for several days. Both Barnes & Noble and Borders have reported many of their retail bookstores have run out of the book, eliciting complaints from those hoping to snatch up copies.
posted on August 25, 2004 03:03:13 PM new
LOL helen - You list your very left leaning site - Media Matters- might just want to clue into what the other side is saying/proving. That the media was blacklisting any information on this subject....but then kerry go so furious they couldn't deny what was going on. NOW they're pointing out how biased in kerrys favor the media really is.
Get the other side of the story helen....
From Media Research...who reports on what the real media is doing....not just your 'leftie' views on the issue.
http://www.mediaresearch.org/
