Pentagon can't be bothered about Bush records but investigate Kerry medals

[unfrigginreal]

This smells of abuse of power.

---------

Navy probes Kerry medals

The Pentagon has ordered an investigation into the awarding of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's five Vietnam War decorations.

The highly unusual inquiry is to be carried out by the Inspector-General's Office of the US Navy. Senator Kerry served as a Swift boat captain for four months in 1968, serving two tours of duty in Vietnam.

snip

In an angry statement from Kerry campaign headquarters, senior Kerry adviser Michael Meehan condemned the navy inquiry as an expensive waste of Pentagon resources.

"The facts are clear," Mr Meehan said. "The navy awarded John Kerry the Silver Star, a Bronze Star . . . and three Purple Hearts. This is a waste of taxpayers' dollars and the Pentagon's time, especially during wartime."

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/09/05/1094322640717.html?oneclick=true

[Booster]

1. While they're investigating Kerry, it shouldn't be all that

much trouble to "look" into what happened to Bush's records also. Seems fair, don't ya think?

[Frodo]

2. I'm sure they won't be "able to find" Kerry's records either.

Yeah, right.

[Droopy]

3. I wonder who pulled the strings to get that one done?

Seems like the Pentagon has a an awful lot on its plate now days to be doing this sort of thing.

What are they going to say? We were wrong in awarding Kerry his medals?

[unfrigginreal]

5. I picked up the piece over at Kos

Some there are suggesting that other Vets demand an investigation of their own medals, in a show of solidarity. There's talk of starting a website for that purpose.

[Droopy]

6. Excellent

I'd be interested in making a donation to them to help get the site off the ground. Let me know if you have any other details.

[A_Possum]

9. That would be a good symbolic way to protest

Sad though that it comes to this.

[bobbieinok]

14. I read it was a suit/request from RW org Judicial Watch (anti Clinton grou

[StevieM]

4. This is just plain evil

I am so ashamed that something like this could be happening in our country. This is a terrible chapter in American history.

Steve

[Droopy]

7. Welcome to DU, Steve

I agree that this is a disgrace. It cheapens the sacrifice that all vets made to have one of there own called into question like that.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

8. Investigate Bush. It would be more than fair. The door is open.

[DieboldMustDie]

11. But who would do the investigating?

:shrug:

[Bernardo de La Paz]

15. Pressure the Pentagon. Fair's fair

[wolfgirl]

10. What BS!!

:argh:

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bobbieinok]

13. Warner was sec of Navy

earlier on DU was explained that Kerry misplace citation and asked for replacement (in the 80s) ..... had a new form or something

[A_Possum]

17. Doh.

Kerry has one silver star, not three. The triple citations are re-issues of the same citation. As to the V, he was given a bronze star with V, and the DD 214 is obviously a clerical typing error.

FACTS: Kerry was awarded the Silver Star at An Thoi in Vietnam shortly after an action that took place on February 28, 1969. The decision to award Kerry the Silver Star was made by Admiral Zumwalt, who at first had put him up for the Navy Cross, but decided that award would take too long to clear with the Navy bureaucracy.

There are a number of witnesses to the medal ceremony in which Zumwalt pinned Kerry with the Silver Star, including Commander George Elliot and Commander Charles Horne, who later said, "We were trying to pay tribute to Kerry and the others for going above and beyond the call of duty. The Silver Star is always a big deal." Tommy Belodeau (deceased) and Mike Madeiros were given Bronze Stars, and Del Sandusky, Fred Short and Gene Thorson were given Navy Commendation Medals with Combat V in the same ceremony at An Thoi.

This is the Silver Star:



This is a photo of Kerry and his crew after the medal ceremony. Kerry wears the star on his uniform, the medal on the right.




But if you wanna waste the Pentagon's time on this kind of thing, guess you got your priorities.

[zulchzulu]

16. It's good to know the Pentagon doesn't trust itself or honor those ....

..that served this country.

That's all it tells you.

For the Pentagon to look at his records and what? ... tell Kerry his medals were given to him as some kind of mistake while the records and reports AT THE TIME show that he was awarded for his courage and valor in battle?

ARE THESE FUCKING PEOPLE NUTS?

[pacalo]

18. Bush is a brazen s.o.b.!

Of course this is abuse of power! Dammit, it's time for the Democratic congresspeople to march up to the Rose Garden & confront this hypocrite! Enough is enough!

[oasis]

19. Rummy and Rove have to balance the "60 Minutes" story about Chimpy's

getting put on a a fast track to the Texas National Guard because of his family influence.

Abuse of power/Diversionary tactics that should be investigated and added to the "60 minutes" broadcast.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

20. * is abusing his powers. This is a blatent double standard.

:puke:

[Walt Starr]

21. So, the Navy reads the citations

finds out the medals are legitimate, makes an announcement, case closed.

:shrug:

Shouldn't take more than a week.