It wasn't exactly a "pardon."
Military deserters and AWOLs could apply for a limited pardon if there were no other charges pending. Under the Carter program deserters would automatically receive a less than honorable discharge ("Undesirable"), but could apply for an upgrade later. The upgrade would not be automatic and few veterans received them. They were barred from receiving veterans benefits, unlike many other vets with less than honorable discharges. Military resisters had to apply for relief within a certain time frame, about 5-6 months, during 1977. Only 4,200 of them were considered eligible for the program; less than 25% of them were processed and received the less-than-honorable discharge. The program allowed for a case-by-case review of potentially another 430,000 cases of veterans with bad discharges; yet only 16,277 benefited from this procedure.
See my response @ 11. :)
I have to wonder what kind of discharge John Kerry received.'
Proponderance of evidence says he got a dishonorable discharge in 1971-72 because of his anti-war activities coupled with
meeting and schmoozing with the Vietnam Communists while American military were still dying there.
Of course, Kerry will not release his original discharge status....so, speculation is easy.
I have to wonder what kind of discharge John Kerry received.'
Proponderance of evidence says he got a dishonorable discharge in 1971-72 because of his anti-war activities coupled with
meeting and schmoozing with the Vietnam Communists while American military were still dying there.
Of course, Kerry will not release his original discharge status....so, speculation is easy.