Why does John Kerry fail to mention his time on the USS GRIDLEY?

USS Gridley (CG-21) Website page on John Kerry ^ | 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Why does John Kerry not mention the USS Gridley CG-21
Shipmates that actually served with him,
on the same ship,
at the same time remember him.
So since John Kerry is on the campaign trail I'll remind him.

[El Gato]

Was it named for "Fire when ready, Gridley" fame?

Yes it was the most recent Navy ship by that name, USS Gridley was DLG-21, a guided missile destroyer when JFnK served aboard her, but later was modified into CG-21 a guided missile cruiser. The first Gridley, DD-92 was a WW-I era destroyer, launched in 1918, decomissioned in '22, stricken from the list in '37 and scrapped in '39. The second Gridley, DD-380, was launched in '36. She was screening the Enterprise on the way back from delivering planes to Midway, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. She was involved in many well known WW-II Pacific battles. Decommissioned in '46 and scrapped in '47.

Interestingly the first Gridley was sponsored (you know with the champaign bottle) by Mrs. Francis P. Thomas, daughter of Captain Gridley, the second by Mrs. Lewis Xuddy III, also daughter of Captain Gridley, and the third by Mrs. Stewart D. Rose, great-granddaughter of Captain Gridley.

Captain Charles Gridley was captain of the Olympia, flagship of Commodore George Dewey at the Battle of Manila, who was the one that said to open the battle, "you may fire when ready, Gridley". The Olympia even saw service in WW-I.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re "Captain Charles Gridley was captain of the Olympia, flagship of Commodore George Dewey at the Battle of Manila, who was the one that said to open the battle, "you may fire when ready, Gridley". The Olympia even saw service in WW-I."

Yes, the old girl (USS Olympia) is still around, yet she needs some help. Go to http://www.spanamwar.com/olyhelp.htm and send them a few bucks...

[El Gato]

was he on the gridley longer than the four months he spent on the swifts?

Yes from June '67 to July '68. But as you said, he doesn't talk about it much, nor was there much in his book about that time. However the quotes above are from the "Kerry Page" on the USS Gridley site Needless to say his shipmates were not overly impressed, especially the enlisted, nor are they happy about his activities upon his return from Vietnam. Strangely enough, they think he lies the same way the SwiftVets do.

[smonk]

so, when, I wonder, did kerry become a war protester? He was “an aggressive, Ambitious young officer” in his fitness reports. He was itching for battle, to hear him tell it, when he transferred to the swifts, and he was only there for four months. When did such a young man that appeared to be so dedicated to croaking enemy combatants become such a hardened war protester? Did any of his ship mates in viet nam notice?

or is this something that came over him suddenly when he realized that war hero's didn't play well in Massachusetts politics?

[El Gato]

AFAIK, anyone serving at the time got one regardless of branch and reserve/active status.

I believe you had to serve, or be on orders to serve, for some minimum time. I don't think a two week annual tour would do it, but basic plus advanced training might be enough. I could be wrong though. I got mine for active duty time toward the end of the Vietnam era. In fact it ended while I was on active duty, serving with guys that had been there. One was an advisor to the AF-RVN, another flew C-123s (not Ranch Hand missions, but once of those would later be my reserve CO).

[El Gato]

In the Navy, it was referred to, even in boot camp, as the Geedunk medal

I've heard it referred to as the "alive in '75" medal, but of course there have been later periods when it was awarded, including from Desert Shield through at least tomorrow.

[E.G.C.]

BTT!!!!!!!