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coatandthai · Seaman Recruit Joined: 21 Aug 2004 Posts: 28

Kerry sought and received multiple citations (Zumwalt, Hyland and Lehman) for his medals, which many have speculated was his political-climbing way of "trading up" on the prestige of the author. But maybe he needed to obtain replacement medals for the ones he tossed (but now denies he tossed) over the fence.

Is a new medal issued with a new citations? Or can a replacement medal be easily obtained?

Twidget · Seaman Recruit Joined: 21 Aug 2004 Posts: 46

No, you do not need/get a new citation for a replacement medal.

cipher · Vice Admiral Joined: 10 Aug 2004 Posts: 902

For all but the MoH (and generally speaking, the Crosses and neck orders (such as the Knight Commander of the Legion of Merit)), you can buy them at the PX. No certificate needs to be "reissued" or "rewritten". The only circumstance I can think of to get a replacement certificate is loss of the original Navy records, which does not seem likely. That he has (at least copies of) all three versions means that the originals were not lost.

My personal opinion is that he was "fluffing", as each successive iteration was more embellished than the previous. And it is consistent with his propensity for serial, ah, exaggeration.

Oh, and each signature is from a higher ranking member of the military establishment. It's much more prestigious to have the Secretary of the Navy sign your ticket than a local area commander. I suppose the theory is that your actions were noticed by persons of more significance.

I'm not a doctor, and I don't play one on TV, however, it is my considered opinion that Kerry is a bit narcissistic.
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USMC 69-72, 7th Comm, 3rd MarDiv, FMFPAC
US Army 75-79, 97th Sig, SHAPE, NATO
Arkansas National Guard 79
Defense contractor for US Navy, SSPO, SP-20, SP-24, OP-12 84-92

oasis · Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 4:20 am Post subject:

Hello,

coatandthai aked

depotoo · Seaman Joined: 22 Aug 2004 Posts: 150 Location: WPB FL

Yet Lehman said on Fox & Friends this morning that that is why he had the new citation signed by him - I wondered about what he was saying since i had heard that a new citation is not issued for replacement. He looked a little uptight when asked about it.
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May God Bless us all and let truth reign.

cipher · Vice Admiral Joined: 10 Aug 2004 Posts: 902

The regulation is for a gratuitous issue (not in the bad sense of the word, although, in Kerry's case, it applies. In the military sense, it means "Issued free of charge")

If you lose one through negligence or attrition, one replacement is authorized. If, in the performance of your duty, it is required that you wear your medals constantly (as in the Honor Guard of the Old Guard), you can get replacements by turning in the unservicable one.

In all other cases, you end up paying for it out of your pocket.
_________________
USMC 69-72, 7th Comm, 3rd MarDiv, FMFPAC
US Army 75-79, 97th Sig, SHAPE, NATO
Arkansas National Guard 79
Defense contractor for US Navy, SSPO, SP-20, SP-24, OP-12 84-92

MarineBrat

lrb111 · Captain Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Posts: 508

rb325th · Admiral Joined: 21 Aug 2004 Posts: 1334

As of right now I know for at least Army Awards you only need provide somne Identifying Information and they will send you all the Awards and Qualification Badges you were authorised, free of charge.
I can not see three different versions resulting from him having requested a new Citation, they would have been reproduced from the original.
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U.S. Army 1983-1995, 11C1P/11H2P NBTDT