B.G. Burkett: Navy Commanders to Cast Doubt on Kerry's War Record

NewsMax.com ^ | 4/04/04 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

B.G. Burkett: Navy Commanders to Cast Doubt on Kerry's War Record

Several Navy officers who supervised Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry when he commanded a swift boat in Vietnam are preparing to publicly question his war record - including the circumstances under which he was awarded three Purple Hearts - a noted Vietnam War historian revealed on Sunday.

Burkett, whose 1999 book, "Stolen Valor," is considered to be the definitive history of of falsified Vietnam War claims, told WABC Radio's Steve Malzberg that Kerry's former commanders would allege that the top Democrat's Purple Hearts were awarded for "self-reported injuries that were virtually nonexistent."

"He never got a day of treatment, he never spent a day in a medical facility," Burkett said. "These were all self-reported wounds, which you're going to hear from some swift boat guys in the future as to the nature of those wounds."

Burkett said he had personally spoken to the Navy commanders who were preparing to go public about Kerry's decorations.

"You're going to get quite a showing [of those speaking out]," Burkett told Malzberg. "I don't know [the number] yet. They're trying to get it to be unanimous of every swift boat guy who ever served."

As to the timetable for the upcoming revelations, Burkett said that Kerry's superior officers "were still discussing that."

"You've got some major rallys being planned against John Kerry by Vietnam veterans on the mall, at the convention - this type of thing," he said. "And we're going to make America aware of John Kerry's military record."

Get Steve Malzberg's exclusive NewsMax.com column emailed directly to you at www.newsmax.com/malzberg.

[DustyMoment]

Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.

Sounds like Kerry is about to be formally and publicly "outed".

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[samtheman]

I'll believe it when it actually happens. Remember the "revelations" about Kerry's girlfriend? Ended up coming to nought.

I hope there's a real story here.

In the meantime, I'll wait for the real story to really surface before I express jubilation.

[stocksthatgoup]

one more the the kat........ping

[hershey]

Teraysa might be thinking of using the old carrot or stick ploy here. Didn't she threaten to use every cent of her $700 mill if necessary to stop negative attacks on Botoxboy?

[hershey]

There are real girl pals. They left for Europe in a hurry.

[SkyPilot]

[300winmag]

I'll believe it when it actually happens. Remember the "revelations" about Kerry's girlfriend? Ended up coming to nought.

I think the bimbo erruption was real, and was orchestrated by the klintons as a show of force against Kerry. This story was floating around the Beltway watercoolers for a long time before the Enquirer mentioned it to "flyover country". Then, after a few days of worry, those same people who called Kerry a dirtbag issued afadavits that they worshipped the ground he walked on.

I think the klintons proved to Kerry that they could make or break him, and this was just a little taste of what they could do to him on much bigger issues.

[samtheman]

But whether it's a case of liberal-media-coverup or nothing-really-there, the end result was the same thing: the girl-friend story disappeared. I fear the same thing will happen with this purple-heart story.

Not that I doubt the truth of the story. Kerry is a liar about everything else, why would he not lie about his "wounds"?

But will the real story really make into the public spotlight?

I'll believe it when I see it.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

...injuries that were virtually non-existent.

The devastating chin injury must have been real.

[zip]

ping

[Semper Paratus]

I would have given Kerry a pass on his war record but not only did he never shut up about it but let questions concerning the President's Vietnam era service go forward.

He "Brought It On" himself.

[BlessedBeGod]

ping!

[wingman1]

I prefer to view this from a different perspective. As one who served in Vietnam a long time ago, I'm aware of what is becoming another myth about those who served: that "medal inflation" was commonplace.

Ask anyone who has received a medal for valor or gallantry and they, themselves, express doubt they were deserving of such an honor.

I did serve in a combat unit and knew many who received wounds deserving the PH. I myself, am glad to say that I did not receive one. What I recall best is that one of the company medics or the battalion surgeon first filed the paper work, depending on the nature of the wound.

Much is made about Kerry only spending 4 months in-country. How likely would it be for him to have made the contacts necessary to suggest to a medical officer that he be recommended for one PH, let alone three, in such a short time? A guy who was there 4 months was likely to be considered an FNG - without a whole lot of clout or connections.

My opinion is that Kerry received light schrapnel wounds that were treated in the field. These wounds and the wounds of any other soldiers would probably have been mentioned in after action reports, which would have been reviewed by officers higher up in the chain of command, who then may have gotten the ball rolling on the awards. Still, it is my belief that the process would not have been started by "higher ups" without some paperwork also being filed by a medic or medical officer who was present during the time in question.

I always thought it ironic that those killed in action also received the Purple Heart. Among the soldiers I served with, it would have been considered dishonorable to have claimed a medal such as the PH if one was not deserving. Though I strongly disagree with members of Kerry's crew who support him, I do feel that we were cut of the same cloth of the common experience, and that they would strongly disapprove of anyone, including Kerry, who would do something as dishonoble as claiming three bogus Purple Hearts.

In order to have received even a minor wound, one DID have to be there.

[jamaksin]

... as they "broke" Howard Dean.

[Peach]

Hi, prairie. Taking a half hour before we finish getting ready to head out for the week.

Please make sure this gets the attention it so richly deserves.

I gave my brother the book Stolen Valor for Christmas and he mentioned it was a must read, although he didn't mention Kerry specifically. I'll try to read it while in Jacksonville - it's my homework assignment. LOL

[Bringbackthedraft]

"You've got some major rallys being planned against John Kerry by Vietnam veterans on the mall, at the convention - this type of thing," he said. "And we're going to make America aware of John Kerry's military record."

Great, But which of the major News Network will cover it? I seem to recall early on that they refered to Kerry as a former SEAL?

[wingman1]

"I seem to recall early on that they refered to Kerry as a former SEAL?"

It may have been KerrEy.

[Publius6961]

Self-serving?
Who woulda thought?

Damn!

[capt. norm]

Looks like they're going to have to do a "Torricelli" on Kerry.

Remember how quickly the Dems replaced Torricelli in the senatorial race in New Jersey at the last minute because he was losing in the polling. In any normal state, this last minute switch would have been overturned as being illegal, but not in liberal-controlled New Jersey.

It would be interesting to see how they pull this off once they are finally convinced that Kerry is unelectable.

This is quite a reversal because being electable was Kerry's only selling point when the wheels fell off the Howard Dean campaign.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Le Bump for the French cheese eating Senator from Bordeaux

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt

[FR_addict]

All I know is he lied about the soldiers serving in Vietnam after he got out saying that most were committing war crimes on a routine basis. It turns out he met with a North Vietnamese delegation in France after lying about it.

If there was a way to figure out how to receive Purple Hearts for phony wounds, I believe he would have done it.
It's been reported that he said he missed two days of service for the three wounds.

Let's wait and see if this story has legs. There is some reason he won't release his military records.

[ASA Vet]

It would be interesting to see how they pull this off
once they are finally convinced that Kerry is unelectable

The commiecRATs never thought he was electable.
He's merely their "throw away" who's just marking time.
The real candidate will step in to "save the party" in a few months.

The short introduction at the commiecRAT convention:

"All hail Hillary Rodham our saviour."

[ought-six]

"I'll believe it when it actually happens. Remember the "revelations" about Kerry's girlfriend? Ended up coming to nought. I hope there's a real story here."

There are way too many sources and witnesses to the allegations that Kerry trumped up his "war wounds" for the matter to be rumor.

[RippleFire]

bump

[Our man in washington]

Before someone criticizes John Kerry, they themselves should imagine what it's like to live through the kinds of wounds he received.

To those doing the criticizing, let me ask you directly: have you ever suffered through the agony a paper cut? Can you imagine looking at what once was solid skin on your finger and now seeing a drop of blood? Those who haven't had this experience shouldn't be so quick to judge.

Such wounds have been known to cause pain for most of an hour. And the treatment is not for the faint of heart: because of the location of the wound, the band-aid often has to encircle the entire finger. Things most of us take for granted become impossible.

Try going for an hour not being able to examine all ten of your nails at the same time. Pretty tough, right? You were probably wondering if the hour was ever going to end. Now, imagine having to live through that for most of a single day.

John Kerry suffered that wound so that we might live in freedom. Let us take a moment to remember and thank him for his service.

And don't get me started on the shaving nicks he suffered. We all need to be more sensitive!

[ought-six]

"But will the real story really make into the public spotlight?"

It's easy to address this issue: All Kerry has to do is release his military medical records. But he steadfastly refuses to do that. That's a big red flag.

[ought-six]

Former Senator BOB KerrEy of Nebraska was a Navy Seal in Vietnam, and he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. However, a couple years ago it came to light that one of the operations he was engaged in involved the killing of unarmed civilians, which put a cloud over his service. I have respect for BOB KerrEy, although I don't agree with many of his political positions. For JOHN Kerry, however, I have nothing but contempt.

[capt. norm]

You're right.

I've been in denial, trying to see it every other possible way, but yours is the only scenario that holds up under scrutiny.

I can't help but think that the Clinton henchmen are periodically leaking things to damage Kerry in a controlled manner. If his polling numbers rise too much, something suddenly leaks out and brings them down,

They must be sitting on tons of damaging info on him, waiting for the timimg to be just right for their purpose.

[ought-six]

"It would be interesting to see how they pull this off once they are finally convinced that Kerry is unelectable."

Easy, at the Dim convention delegates with withhold or abstain on the first round, thus relieving them of any obligations in the second round. Hillary will likely be "drafted" in the second round.

[finnigan2]

Your comments are informative and suggest that if Kerry was in fact running some sort of, "get home quick" scam by using the rule that three Purple Hearts got you out of theatre, then there would have had to have been collusion with another officer (presumably a medic) to get the paperwork rolling.
I suppose the only way to know for sure is to examine the original documentation to see just who initiated Kerry's medal recommendations.
Somehow, I sense that if this were a scam, it will turn out to be bigger than just Kerry. It may have involved a small group of officers and men, all devoted to helping each other get out of Vietnam ASAP -ie.; I'll sign your papers if you'll sign mine. Such a thing would be impossible in a large unit, but in a small relatively independent group with minimal supervision it might be conceivable. Then again, maybe I've watched too many episodes of MASH.

[findingtruth]

I was over there myself, and I never heard of any Purple Hearts for phony wounds, but I have heard of some for minor wounds -- wounds which most people would have shrugged off. The problem is that any injury, even a minor one, if caused by enemy action, made you eligible for a Purple Heart.

Kerry's Silver Star I'm not sure about. It seems pretty excessive for chasing and shooting a VC who was trying to escape.

[wingman1]

Kerry's actions after his return from RVN contributed to the public perception that soldiers who served in RVN were baby killers.

Using that same logic, would it be a stretch to say that other soldiers, who received medals, may also be judged by the same (Kerry) standard, if his awards prove to fraudulant?

I believe so.

That is what makes me hope that if there is some type of search done, that it shows Kerry did legitimately earn these awards.

Sorry, but this may backfire and earn Kerry sympathy that will translate into votes in his column.

[G L Tirebiter]

There's a Bill Mauldin "Willie & Joe" cartoon in Upfront. (Can't find a copy on the internet.)

Two GI's are at an aid station talking to a medical officer type.

One GI is saying, "Naw, I already got a Purple Heart. Just gimme a couple of asprin."

[wingman1]

Clarification: I DON'T think it would be a stretch.

[proud American in Canada]

"To those doing the criticizing, let me ask you directly: have you ever suffered through the agony a paper cut?"

Oh, the humanity! Thanks for putting it all into perspective. ;) LOL!

[samtheman]

There are way too many sources and witnesses to the allegations that Kerry trumped up his "war wounds" for the matter to be rumor.

A major turning-point for this story will be if and when it makes it on to Fox News. They don't have liberal bias, so they'll report it as soon as they believe it. The fact that they're not reporting it yet, causes me to throttle back on my enthusiasm for this.

Believe me, if this story gains momentum (which it must if all those sources and witnesses are really there) then I will be cheering it up bigtime.

[PJ-Comix]

I would have given Kerry a pass on his war record but not only did he never shut up about it but let questions concerning the President's Vietnam era service go forward.

Never has a candidate tried to make more hay out of a war record than Kerry. And yet Bob Dole who was horribly wounded in WWII rarely made mention of it during the '96 campaign.

[prairiebreeze]

Back in December or January, before Kerry pulled ahead in the primary, I heard Susan Estrich make a comment on FoxNews about how Kerry had lots of skeletons in his closet regarding women.

Perhaps at that point she thought that Dean was going to stay the frontrunner. Quite a statement for a RAT shill to make. No repeats or follow up to that statement of course.

Prairie

[submarinerswife]

Isn't Burkett the guy who goes after people who claim to be Viet Vets when they are not? I read an article about this guy who went after actor Brian Denehy for claiming that he was injured in Viet Nam and come to find out Denehy didn't leave the states.

If this is the same guy, he is incredible. He has used his own money and busted several people in the past. He does it because he is honoring the real vets and the war dead.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.


JOHN KERRY = Enemy of Vietnam Vets

http://www.TheAlamoFILM.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1320


.

[samtheman]

Yeah, Estrich was really caught off-guard by the Dean collapse. She never expected Kerry to get this far.

[prairiebreeze]

ping

[FR_addict]

Using that same logic, would it be a stretch to say that other soldiers, who received medals, may also be judged by the same (Kerry) standard, if his awards prove to fraudulant? "

I don't think so. Most people don't come back and keep saying over and over again what great heroes they are. When my Dad died, I found his medals and newspaper clippings. He never talked about it. He was in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

I don't believe if Kerry did find a way to put himself in for medals, it cheapens eveyone else's medals. There's always some who takes advantage of a situation.

I'm sure there were a lot of brave men that never got a medal. Some volunteered for more than one tour of duty.

I respect your service and everyone else's.

[lakewriter]

But will the real story really make into the public spotlight?


When the Clinton's give it the nod, it will be outed.

[samtheman]

Why would the Clintons give it the nod? And why would Fox News wait for a nod from the Clintons.

[Helen]

It's not out of the realm of possibility that kerry's connections to the kennedys might have been a factor.

[FR_addict]

Maybe "phony" is the wrong word, maybe I should have said "virtually non-existent" or "very minor superficial" wounds.

If he really had something to crow about, he would release his records.

Thank you for your service.