SwiftVets.com

[jbspags]

John Kerry Earned His Medals
UPDATED 4.21.04

RIGHTWING FICTION: John Kerry wasn't seriously wounded in Vietnam and didn't deserve his medals.

FACT: John Kerry volunteered for service and served honorably and courageously under fire. His fellow crewmates have attested to his leadership, skill, and bravery. On April 20th, the Kerry Campaign posted on its official website the military records that the U.S. Navy provided Kerry on his active military service from 1966-1970. According to the New York Times, "Several describe him as a gutsy commander undertaking a dangerous assignment in Vietnam and detail some of the actions that won three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and a Silver Star." "Throughout his four years of active duty, Kerry's superiors gave him glowing evaluations... narrative comments from his commanding officers said he was diplomatic, charismatic, decisive and well-liked by his men." "He was recommended for early promotion, and when he left the Navy in 1970 to run for Congress, his commanding officer said it was the Navy's loss." [NY Times, 4.21.04]

In an email to supporters, Kerry campaign manager Mary Beth Cahill said, "RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie and Bush Campaign Manager Ken Mehlman are running an ugly smear campaign on John Kerry's service in Vietnam. We've seen this before. In 2000 they ran a "whisper campaign" against John McCain, suggesting his time as a POW made him unfit for the Presidency. Then in this campaign, their surrogates have even questioned Max Cleland's war heroism -- a man who received a Silver Star and lost three limbs in the Vietnam War. The fact is they're terrified of running against John Kerry's war record. And so they're desperately doing everything they can to try to tear it down."


PURPLE HEART REGULATIONS

Army Regulation 600-8-22:

a. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of an Armed Force or any civilian national of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after 5 April 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded-

(1) In any action against an enemy of the United States.

(2) In any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged.

(3) While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

(4) As a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces.

(5) As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force

(6) After 28 March 1973, as a result of an international terrorist attack against the United States or a foreign nation friendly to the United States, recognized as such an attack by the Secretary of the Army, or jointly by the Secretaries of the separate armed services concerned if persons from more than one service are wounded in the attack.

(7) After 28 March 1973, as a result of military operations while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force.

While clearly an individual decoration, the Purple Heart differs from all other decorations in that an individual is not "recommended" for the decoration; rather he or she is entitled to it upon meeting specific criteria.

(1) A Purple Heart is authorized for the first wound suffered under conditions indicated above, but for each subsequent award an Oak Leaf Cluster will be awarded to be worn on the medal or ribbon. Not more than one award will be made for more than one wound or injury received at the same instant or from the same missile, force, explosion, or agent.

(2) A wound is defined as an injury to any part of the body from an outside force or agent sustained under one or more of the conditions listed above. A physical lesion is not required, however, the wound for which the award is made must have required treatment by a medical officer and records of medical treatment for wounds or injuries received in action must have been made a matter of official record.

(3) When contemplating an award of this decoration, the key issue that commanders must take into consideration is the degree to which the enemy caused the injury. The fact that the proposed recipient was participating in direct or indirect combat operations is a necessary prerequisite, but is not sole justification for award.

(4) Examples of enemy-related injuries which clearly justify award of the Purple Heart are as follows:

(a) Injury caused by enemy bullet, shrapnel, or other projectile created by enemy action.

(b) Injury caused by enemy placed mine or trap.

(c) Injury caused by enemy released chemical, biological, or nuclear agent.

(d) Injury caused by vehicle or aircraft accident resulting from enemy fire.

(e) Concussion injuries caused as a result of enemy generated explosions.


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[War Dog]

Those who understand, understand!
Those who do not understand, will never understand!

War Woof!
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"When people are in trouble, they call the cops.

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[sparky]

jbspags, thanks for that valuable information about what it takes to get a Purple Heart.

If I'd listened to the rightwingers here, I'd begin to think that the Purple Heart is no big deal.

[95 bxl]

[eecee]

[sparky]

...and Bush was clear that he would have to be forced.

[Greenhat]

[Greenhat]

Not quite.
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