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William

In the photo of Adm. Zumwalt presenting the Silver Star http://www.boston.com/globe/nation/packages/kerry/images/day2/02.htm, Kerry appears to be wearing TWO STARS on his Purple Heart ribbon, signifying THREE Purple Hearts!

A. Ribbon rack appears to contain:
Top Row: Silver Star, Purple Heart with TWO STARS.
Bottom: Combat Action, National Defense, Vietnam Campaign(perhaps with one star?)

B. TOUR says presentation was several days after February 28. That would be well more than a week BEFORE Kerry's bruise & rice "wounds" for which he claimed a third PH.

C. Letters awarding Purple Heart/Gold Stars are dated:
1. 28 Feb 1969 (for Dec 2 1968)
2. 5 Mar 1969 (for Feb 20 1969)
3. 17 Apr 1969 (for March 13 1969)

D. What am I missing here?

ASPB · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 6:08 am Post subject:

I think the caption on the Photo is wrong. I think this picture may have been taken after Kerry returned to the States as I believe the Bronze citation is dated in April.

What Kerry is wearing on the top row is the Silver Star and 3 awards of the Purple Heart. That would make sense because the 3rd PH was awarded before the the Bronze. At the angle of the photo I can't be sure that It's Zummie doing the presenting.

BTW, Kerry would not, in most liklihood have had Dress Whites in An Thoi. My Dress Uniforms stayed in Saigon during my entire 12 month tour.
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Warthog · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 11:32 am Post subject:

He's wearing the aiglet of an Admiral's aide in the photo.

William · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 3:04 pm Post subject:

ASPB and Warthog,

Duh... my mistake... You are correct about the photo, I should have noticed the "ropes" of a flag officer. I just jumped to the conclusion that Kerry was wearing undeserved decorations... wait a minute... he is wearing undeserved decorations, just not unauthorized ones.

Thanks for the correction.

ncoic6 · Seaman Recruit Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 11

according to the Rood article in the Chicago Tribune

[Zumwalt made that clear when he flew down to our base at An Thoi off the southern tip of Vietnam to pin the Silver Star on Kerry and assorted Bronze Stars and commendation medals on the rest of us. ]

This would suggest that the award was given in country, and not back in the states.