HANOI KERRY PING
"MOUNT 52 : REPEAT"
Please Remove Me
Posted on 09/03/2004 8:06:41 AM PDT by kattracks
The United States Navy has launched an official investigation into John Kerry's Vietnam War decorations, saying, "it's the responsibility of all personnel to correct errors in official records."
In a launching a formal probe, the Navy was responding to a referral from the Pentagon's inspector general's office - based on a complaint filed by the Washington-based legal watchdog group Judicial Watch, Fox News reported Friday. In a letter to Judicial Watch, the inspector general's office said: "Concerning our allegations of violations of Uniform Code of Military Justice, we have the responsibility to . . . 'report suspected or alleged violations.' We have informed the secretary of the Navy of the allegations."Former Navy Secretary John Lehman, who has challenged the authenticity of his signature on one of Kerry's war decorations, told Fox that Navy records needed to be "thoroughly researched and the facts established."
Most questions about Kerry's combat record appear to be based on processing errors, Navy sources told the news network.
However, even if the errors were based on inadvertent mistakes, any corrections would force the top Democrat to acknowledge that citations touting his heroism that have been posted to his Web site for months were false - a development that could have devastating political consequences.
"Even if it was the Navy's fault," one source following the story told NewsMax, "surely Sen. Kerry knew the citations were wrong. Why did it take a formal Navy probe for him to correct records he had to know were fraudulent?"
Kerry received five medals during his four months in combat in Vietnam, including a Silver Star with a "Combat V" designation. A Navy source confirmed last week, however, that in the entire history of the Navy, no Silver Star has ever been awarded with "Combat V."
Kerry campaign spokesman Michael Meehan suggested that the Navy probe was a waste of time and money.
"The facts are clear, the Navy awarded John Kerry the Silver Star, a Bronze Star with a Combat V and three Purple Hearts. It is waste of taxpayer's dollars and the Pentagon's time, especially during wartime, to investigate a 35-year-old Navy clerical error," Meehan said in statement.
In 1996, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jeremy Boorda committed suicide after he was accused of wearing medals he hadn't earned.
At the time, Kerry told the Boston Herald that the error was "sufficient to question his leadership position."
"If you wind up being less than what you're pretending to be, there is a major confrontation with value, self-esteem and your sense of how others view you," Kerry told the Boston Globe.
"Fox News reported Friday."
Fox new is someone other than NewsMax and Judicial Watch.
I can undertand the mistake with the combat V on his silver star. In fact, I've never seen him wear a combat V on his silver star ribbon. The four small bronze stars ( in lieu of additional awards or additional campaigns) on his Vietnam service ribbon (not sure of correct ribbon name) seems suspicious.
Very good, what did they say? I do hope they are right but I think it will be a first for JW. Thanks for the update.
Oh please. The Navy was NOT in John Kerry's boat. The Navy is bought and paid for by large, mysterious Republican home builders from Texas and should stop questioning the man's patriotism.
Just another Bush/Rove/Republican dirty trick to distract voters from the fact that John Kerry has a real plan to put this nation back onto the correct course.
</sarcasm>
At the time, Kerry told the Boston Herald that the error was "sufficient to question his leadership position."
"If you wind up being less than what you're pretending to be, there is a major confrontation with value, self-esteem and your sense of how others view you," Kerry told the Boston Globe.
Gee, do you think the Rats' first line (lie?) of defense will be that this is a smear job by Bush, using Rumsfeld and the old Clinton-hating group J.W. to do his dirty work?
Even if true you won't see the main line media interrupt their reopened investigations of GW's Guard attendance to report Kerry's lies, exaggerations, or false claims.
BTT!!!!!
Do you REALLY wonder?? ;o)
Don't hold your breath.
YOu forgot your < /sarcasm> tag.
I'm assuming you meant to use one...
Thanks for the ping Tonk.
Ditto your ditto.
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