Kerry campaign provides military records

AP | 4/20/04 | NEDRA PICKLER

[kattracks]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Amid questions about his military records, John Kerry's campaign on Tuesday provided documentation of Vietnam War injuries that included shrapnel wounds to his arms, legs and buttocks that earned him three Purple Hearts.

Kerry spokesman Michael Meehan said the campaign was in the process of compiling the rest of Kerry's naval record and planned to begin posting it on Kerry's Web site by day's end. Kerry said all his military records are available to the public during an appearance Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Meehan said the Massachusetts senator and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee requested a copy of his record from the Navy last month and received roughly 150 pages last week.

Conservatives, talk radio and some newspapers editorials have questioned whether Kerry was deserving of the three Purple Hearts, fueling questions about his Navy service from 1966 to 1970 and the seriousness of his injuries.

He served two tours of duty, four months on the USS Gridley frigate off Vietnam's shore and nearly five months as a swiftboat commander in the Mekong Delta. He volunteered for the second tour and earned all his medals during the second stint.

Meehan gave The Associated Press 13 pages that included documentation for the Silver Star, Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. The Boston Globe obtained some of the records last year for an extensive series on Kerry.

The documents also included declassified reports that briefly explain the injuries that led to Kerry's Purple Heart awards. They show Kerry had shrapnel wounds in his left thigh after his boat came under intense fire on Feb. 20, 1969, and he suffered shrapnel wounds in his left buttock and contusions on his right forearm when a mine detonated close to his boat on March 13, 1969.

The campaign could not locate a similar report for Kerry's original Purple Heart. As evidence that Kerry was wounded, Meehan showed The Associated Press a "Sick Call Treatment Record" from Kerry's personal files that included a brief written note dated Dec. 3, 1968, and stamped from the naval support facility at Cam Ranh Bay.

"Shrapnel in left arm above elbow. Shrapnel removed and appl bacitracin dressing. Ret to Duty," it said. The note is followed by a signature that appears to say "JCCarreon" and some illegible letters that Meehan said probably designate the medical official's rank.

Meehan said the campaign would allow a reporter to see the record at the campaign's headquarters, but not take a copy. He said it would not be made available to the public because Kerry considers it a private medical record.

Documentation for the second two injuries show that Kerry was deemed to be in good condition and returned to active duty after treatment. The documentation does not describe the severity of the injuries. A third Purple Heart meant Kerry could be reassigned out of Vietnam, and a document dated March 17, 1969, said Kerry requested duty as a personal aid in Boston, New York or the Washington, D.C., area.

Meehan said although Kerry could have asked to stay in Vietnam, it was the Navy's decision to request that he be reassigned. Kerry left the country in early April 1969.

Ken Mehlman, President Bush's campaign manager, accused Kerry's campaign of waffling on the release of his military records, saying the campaign's position on Tuesday to release the records in "due diligence" is contrary to Kerry's comments on "Meet the Press" that the records would be made public immediately.

"Senator Kerry's record of nondisclosure and his flip-flop on this issue should concern voters," Mehlman said.

Meehan responded, "Senator Kerry's record on the military is one we are running on, not running from. We are happy to compare Senator Kerry's record of service to anybody in the Bush campaign who has or has not served."

Bush was in the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam War, but did not serve in combat. Bush released hundreds of pages of his Vietnam-era military records in February to counter Democrats' suggestions that he shirked his duty in the Texas Air National Guard.

The White House said the documents comprise his entire military record. The records did not provide evidence that Bush was in Alabama during a period when Democrats have questioned whether he reported for service.

Kerry on Friday questioned Republicans who avoided the war and now criticize him on national security, but he didn't mention Bush.

"I fought under that flag and I saw that flag draped over the coffins of friends," Kerry said. "I'm tired of Karl Rove and Dick Cheney and a bunch of people who went out of their way to avoid the chance to serve when they had the chance."

The Purple Heart is awarded to soldiers who are wounded or killed by enemy forces. The Silver Star is awarded for gallantry in action, and the Bronze Star is for heroic achievement.

Kerry received the Bronze Star for his actions after being wounded by the mine, which led to the third Purple Heart. According to his citation, one of Kerry's boatmates was thrown overboard and Kerry pulled him to safety with "his arm bleeding and in pain and with disregard for his personal safety." Kerry and the man, retired Los Angeles police officer Jim Rassmann, had an emotional public reunion in January, two days before Kerry would win the Iowa caucuses.

___

On the Net:

http://www.johnkerry.com

Facsimiles of Kerry's Purple Heart citations are available at:

http://wid.ap.org/documents/kerry/purplehearts.pdf

Facsimiles of Kerry's bronze and silver star citations are available at:

http://wid.ap.org/documents/kerry/stars.pdf

Facsimiles of reports describing Kerry's wounds are available at:

http://wid.ap.org/documents/kerry/actionreports.pdf

[MJY1288]

Check out the AP spin

[BluSky]

Can they do carbon testing on these documents to confirm authenticity?

Would want to ensure no redaction and revisions covertly implanted in these documents.

Just wondering . . .

[mystery-ak]

*Applied bacitracin*....how shameful to even request/recieve a PH for such minor injuries....just as I figured!

[Howlin]

*Snicker*

[Howlin]

Here!

[MJY1288]

LOL, My two grandsons receive more extensive medical attention every time I take them to the playground

[KevinDavis]

Basically he recieved the Frank Burns Purple Heart award?

[Mo1]

Ummmm .. where are the Medical Records???

[deport]

"I fought under that flag and I saw that flag draped over the coffins of friends," Kerry said. "I'm tired of Karl Rove and Dick Cheney and a bunch of people who went out of their way to avoid the chance to serve when they had the chance."

---

I can't and won't fault Kerry for his Vietnam service as he did go and was exposed..... However I wonder if his deferments were about to run out/expire and none others were available to him.

[A Citizen Reporter]

" He said it would not be made available to the public because Kerry considers it a private medical record."

That's a little odd.

[annyokie]

We don't want the citations! Cripes! I have many of them hanging in my office. Where is the documentation?

[MJY1288]

What AP has left out of this report is that none of John Kerry's evaluations are in these records and the AP knows it. I think it's time the AP gets FReeped over this

[Clara Lou]

Question: How is four months on a boat off shore and "almost" five months on a swiftboat equal to two tours of duty?

I'm sorry-- I wasn't in Viet Nam-- but "Bacitracin...return to duty" was good for a long snicker.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

This is embarrassing-even for the Kerry campaign.

Contusions are bruises.
Bacitracin is an OTC antibiotic cream-every home in America probably has a tube in their medicine cabinet.
Kerry gets shrapnel in his ass-what was he doing?
Diving for cover ?

Seriously, this is an embarrassment.
No one can justify a PH for a bruise, not even Kerry.

[DallasMike]

What, not even a Band-Aid?

[adaven]

THREE Purple Hearts for this?!

My uncle, RIP, is rolling in his grave.

[Mo1]

Oh good grief

Hellary is on LKL and she starts off with that stupid laugh

[A Citizen Reporter]

All:

Taped interview of Rummy on Hannity, RIGHT NOW, on Woodward book.

[bwteim]

[NotchJohnson]

Souldn't there be a scar on his arm he can show? Also, which injury did he ask for a purple heart and his superior thought he was crazy? I believe he did not have all these injuries but just a little evidence will shut everyone up. Remember that girl he was supposed to have an affair with? Her Dad hated him. One little contrary opinion and the press says "well, we did our job."

[GailA]

Bacitracin is only one of the 3 ingredients in Neosporin, which is recommended for the routine boo boos kids get. I use it when I cut myself in the kitchen. Helps prevent infection from setting in in small scratches.

[Howlin]

The campaign could not locate a similar report for Kerry's original Purple Heart.

This is the PH Hibbard tried NOT to give him. Wonder where the paperwork is.

[P-Marlowe]

"Shrapnel in left arm above elbow. Shrapnel removed and appl bacitracin dressing. Ret to Duty,"

Not even one stitch. Not even a band-aid. Just a bacterial dressing and return to duty.

[Howlin]

ROFLMAO!

[dawn53]

LOL!!!

[Howlin]

After receiving a Purple Heart for the March 13 scratch and bruise, Kerry sought an early pass out of combat duty, invoking the informal Navy "instruction" known as 1300.39. According to the Boston Globe, 1300.39 meant an officer could request a reassignment from his superior officer after receiving three Purple Hearts. The instruction states that, rather than being automatic, the reassignment would "be determined after consideration of his physical classification for duty and on an individual basis."

snip-----

Insight: contacted many men who served in Coastal Division at the same time Kerry did to ask if any of them had heard of anyone leaving the combat zone by invoking three minor wounds. Of the 12 who replied, none had heard of anyone doing so but John Kerry."

snip-----

Less than a month after having claimed three wounds for which he lost no more than a total of two days of duty, Kerry reported as an aide to a navy yard admiral in Brooklyn, New York, leaving his crew in Vietnam.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1116002/posts

[KevinDavis]

So basically he received the Frank Burns Purple Heart Award.

[NotchJohnson]

Oddd isn't it? He knew it was 3 injuries and you are out. Thats why he picked a scab, made it bleed bad, and then go ask for a purple heart.

[OpusatFR]

My brother had decades of some miserable fungal infection on his back, arms, chest and unmentionables until they developed a treatment for it a few years ago.

No purple heart for that.....

[Howlin]

However I wonder if his deferments were about to run out/expire and none others were available to him.

Yes, they were. He actually called his draft board and asked if he could have a deferment to "study in Europe," a la Bill Clinton.

When they said no, he enlisted so he could be an officer, rather than be drafted.

[js1138]

*Applied bacitracin*....how shameful to even request/recieve a PH for such minor injuries....just as I figured!

I suspect Kerry may be the only person to receive a Purple Heart for action at Cam Ranh Bay. I was there the day he received his injury.

[jungleboy]

Isn't the headline suppose to scream...
Kerry LIES To America!
Said 'All His Military Records Available to Public'

[mombonn]

Bush released hundreds of pages of his Vietnam-era military records

Democratic presidential nominee requested a copy of his record from the Navy last month and received roughly 150 pages last week.

Meehan gave The Associated Press 13 pages

Do the math - who is hiding something? Mister less than 10%, or President Bush?

[mombonn]

LOL - yeah, Hot Lips Terezzzzzzzza must be ever so proud!

[Williams]

There may be an issue on the first purple heart. He can't "find" the documentation? But the real story, which they gloss over, is that HE never wanted to be in combat and HE got out ASAP and landed a cushy job in an admiral's office. I don't see how that is a course of conduct you can tout as proving your qualification for president. Not to mention he then goes anti-war and claims he saw atrocities like he was atwo year in grunt going from village to village.

You can't take away the fact that he was in combat. But with all his bragging you damn well can question an officer who got out in 4 months.

[deport]

I thought I had read that somewhere... So he volunteered but after his deferments had ran their course......

[wingster]

"Shrapnel in left arm above elbow. Shrapnel removed and appl bacitracin dressing. Ret to Duty,"

LOL indeed! I've done that numerous times in my life! I wonder if I can get some special government grant or the like, perhaps the civilian equivalent of a medal so that I can get out of the Social Security program, not even Vietnam!

[NotchJohnson]

Surprised no one remembers taking care of John Kerry after he almost got killed. There has to be a nurse or doctor somewhere. Maybe a soldier he was with - nothing.

[BonnieJ]

So...What does that jerk David Gregory have to say about THIS? And Chris M. and Howard F.? Are they screaming that they've been deceived, complaining that not ALL the records have been released? They spent 3 or 4 weeks on the AWOL travesty. This deserves at least one evening of outrage!!

[NormsRevenge]

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites) decided to post on the Internet military records on his service in the Vietnam war after questions were raised about one of the medals he was awarded.(AFP/Getty Images/Stephen Chernin)

[wingster]

I wonder if getting tucked in with some warm milk, cookies, and some TLC was in the Rx too.

[small voice in the wilderness]

BWHAHAHAHAHA!!! Hmmmm, Kerry and Frank Burns have a lot in common. Both sold their souls for a rich wife, both were gutless opportunists, both are media creations, and neither have lips. Strange.

[Polybius]

"Shrapnel in left arm above elbow. Shrapnel removed and appl bacitracin dressing. Ret to Duty," it said. The note is followed by a signature that appears to say "JCCarreon" and some illegible letters that Meehan said probably designate the medical official's rank.

Another article from Associated press said "medic", not "medical officer".

Does it matter?

Yes, it does. The Purple Heart was not meant to be awarded for Band-Aid and Bacitracin (no stitches) Boo-Boos. It was meant to be awarded for consequential injuries.

The Regulations in effect at the time of Kerry's Vietnam service described a Purple Heart eligible wound as:

"A wound which necessitates treatment by a medical officer and which is received in action with an enemy......"

I find it hard to believe that "LT, MC, USNR" or "LCDR, MC, USN" cannot be deciphered on that medical record due to bad handwriting.

I want to see that signature.

If that was a Corpsman's signature, that would be the smoking gun that documents that Kerry sea lawyered himself into a phony Purple Heart which he later used to sea lawyer himself out of combat after only 4 months of service.

[kcvl]

PLEASE don't let John Kerry get away with MORE lies!!!
Demand that he release ALL OF HIS RECORDS like they demanded of President Bush, including DENTAL RECORDS!

http://johnkerry.com/contact/contact.php

[NotchJohnson]

Nope, it didn't even take what Kerry put out. It could even be more weak. The press is worthless.

[Riley]

*Applied bacitracin*....how shameful to even request/recieve a PH for such minor injuries....just as I figured!

I cannot understand the mind of someone who would go to the Corpsman for something that only required a topical disinfectant. It suggests to me that his whole 'military career' was intended as nothing other than a political springboard from the very beginning.

I compare this to the Union officer in the Civil War who was completely disemboweled by a shell fragment. The surgeons told him that there wasn't anything they could do, he was a 'goner'. He insisted that they operate on him. He gutted it out, recovered, and demanded to be returned to duty.

[Smartass]

[P-Marlowe]

The fact that he would even apply for a purple heart after an injury like that is a reflection on his sleazy character. And then to toss someone else's hard earned medals over the fence pretending they were his is just too much to comprehend. To think this person may actually get enough idiots in this country to vote him in as president is truly frightening.