1972 McGovern campaign, what would you have done ?

[MADem]

28. Air medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, 35 combat missions? He was a war hero (see post 27).

Flying into harm's way, doing what you need to do to take the fight to the enemy, and flying outta there, keeping a cool head while they're trying to kill you, not once, but thirty five times, keeping the safety of your crew and the integrity of your aircraft in mind throughout, is the ultimate multi-tasking.

And let's make no doggone mistake--Nixon, his opponent, was in the rear with the gear. He did not go in harm's way the way that McGovern did. His record -- and his decorations, such as they were--bear that out.
http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq60-8.htm

Following his appointment, Nixon began aviation indoctrination training at the Naval Training School, Naval Air Station in Quonset Point, Rhode Island. After completing the course in October 1942, he went to the Naval Reserve Aviation Base in Ottumwa, Iowa, where he served as Aide to the Executive Officer until May 1943. Looking for more excitement, Nixon volunteered for sea duty and reported to Commander Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet where he was assigned as Officer in Charge of the South Pacific Combat Air Transport Command at Guadalcanal in the Solomons and later at Green Island. His unit prepared manifests and flight plans for C-47 operations and supervised the loading and unloading of the cargo aircraft. For this service he received a Letter of Commendation from the Commander South Pacific Area and South Pacific Force for "meritorious and efficient performance of duty as Officer in Charge of the South Pacific Combat Air Transport Command... " On 1 October 1943, Nixon was promoted to lieutenant.

From August through December of 1944, Nixon was assigned to Fleet Air Wing EIGHT. From December through March 1945, he served at the Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, Washington, D.C. In March, his next assignment was as the Bureau of Aeronautics Contracting Officer for Terminations in the Office of the Bureau of Aeronautics General Representative, Eastern District, headquartered in New York City. In that capacity he had temporary additional duty at various places, including Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Buffalo, New York City, and East Hartford, Connecticut. When he was released from active duty on 10 March 1946. He was promoted to Commander in the Naval Reserve on 1 June 1953.

While on active duty besides the Letter of Commendation, Nixon earned the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He is entitled to two engagement stars on the Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal for supporting air action in the Treasury- Bougainville operations from 27 October to 15 December 1943 and for consolidation of the northern Solomons from 15 December 1943 to 22 July 1944. Nixon transferred to the Retired Reserve of the Naval Reserve on 1 June 1966.

The medals listed are not "personal" awards, they're "show up and you can have one" awards.

Plenty of "Greatest Generation" voters were active voters in that election. I do believe that McGovern would have helped himself if his war record had been highlighted. He was hiding out well behind the front lines, loading cargo, or sipping martinis in DC, he was taking the fight TO the enemy in dangerous combat missions and getting awards for getting his aircraft back home after getting hammered. Stack McGovern up against Nixon, and Nixon comes out looking like Gomer Pyle.