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TIRED OF HEARING KERRY CALLED A 'HERO'
mark steyn website ^ | February 17, 2004 | Sgt. Major Edward F. Komac

Posted on 02/17/2004 6:04:52 PM EST by dennisw

Letter Of The Week TIRED OF HEARING KERRY CALLED A 'HERO' Thank you for your article, Kerry's post-battlefield conversion is pathetic.

I spent three tours in Vietnam with the 5th Special Forces (Airborne) with side trips to Laos and Cambodia. I lost twenty-three of my friends during the war. That is the price you pay for the profession we followed.

However, the America public and a lot of Vietnam Veterans are being taken in by John Kerry's service in Vietnam. If you read about the award of his three Purple Hearts, they were nothing but scratches. If my Team Medic would have put me in for a Purple Heart every time I was dinged, I would have a chest full of them also, I wouldn't been able to face my fellow Team Mates. He used those three awards to get out of further combat. Also, the award of his Silver Star is rather dubious. It was up-graded from a Bronze Star, which by the way, I have three of them. During the Anti-war protest, the Vietnam Veterans threw their medals on the steps in Washington. When Kerry's were seen displayed in his office, someone asked him, didn't you throw those away during the protest? His reply, the ones I threw were symbolic.

I'm sorry that I got on a roll. I'm just tired of hearing what a "hero" Kerry claims to be. I would like to see that picture of him with the VC Flag behind him when he was telling everyone what evil things we done in Vietnam displayed more often.

Sgt. Major Edward F. Komac USA Retired

"Why, in the photo at the beginning of the post, is Kerry wearing a Silver Star next to a Purple Heart w/2 clusters? Where is the Bronze Star with V? He's already back in the USA as an aide."

That question might have been answered by the letter Howlin just quoted:

"Also, the award of his Silver Star is rather dubious. It was up-graded from a Bronze Star, which by the way, I have three of them."

I've never heard that claim before--that it was an upgrade. If so, then Kerry shouldn't be claiming to have both. But I think the person in the letter might be mistaken.