Please help with John Kerry's war record disclosure?

[Conservababe]

I am in a debate with people who know nothing about Kerry's refusal to release his war records. What is the technical name for this disclosure?

[lilylangtree]

That sorry SOB has yet to release his records. His campaign and the RATS went all out focusing attention on the prez school and military records. After the prez released his military records and school records proved that the Prez was actually more intelligent than sKerry, sKerry refused to sign the 180. As a voter and a PUB, I’m still PO’d about that.

[rawcatslyentist]

>"I am in a debate with people who know nothing"

Put down the ouija board, let Schultz rest in peace.

[A.A. Cunningham]

This is the html version of the file http://www.archives.gov/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf.
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Page 1

INSTRUCTION AND INFORMATION SHEET FOR

SF 180, REQUEST PERTAINING TO MILITARY RECORDS

1. Information needed to locate records. Certain identifying information is necessary to determine the location of an individual's

record of military service. Please try to answer each item on the SF 180. If you do not have and cannot obtain the information for an

tem, show "NA," meaning the information is "not available." Include as much of the requested information as you can.

i

2. Restrictions on release of information. Release of information is subject to restrictions imposed by the military services

consistent with Department of Defense regulations and the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy

Act of 1974. The service member (either past or present) or the member's legal guardian has access to almost any information

contained in that member's own record. An authorization signature, of the service member or the member's legal guardian, is needed

in Section III of the SF180. Others requesting information from military personnel/health records must have the release

authorization in Section III of the SF 180 signed by the member or legal guardian, but if the appropriate signature cannot be

obtained, only limited types of information can be provided. If the former member is deceased, surviving next of kin may, under

certain circumstances, be entitled to greater access to a deceased veteran's records than a member of the public. The next of kin may

be any of the following: unremarried surviving spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, or brother. Employers and others

needing proof of military service are expected to accept the information shown on documents issued by the military service

departments at the time a service member is separated.

3. Where reply may be sent. The reply may be sent to the member or any other address designated by the member or other

authorized requester.

4. Charges for service. There is no charge for most services provided to members or their surviving next of kin. A nominal fee is

charged for certain types of service. In most instances service fees cannot be determined in advance. If your request involves a

ervice fee, you will be notified as soon as that determination is made.

s

5. Health and personnel records. Health records of persons on active duty are generally kept at the local servicing clinic, and

usually are available from the Department of Veterans Affairs a week or two after the last day of active duty. (See page 2 of SF180

or record locations/addresses.)

f

6. Records at the National Personnel Records Center. Note that it takes at least three months, and often up to seven, for the file

to reach the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis after the military obligation has ended (such as by discharge). If only a

short time has passed, please send the inquiry to the address shown for active or current reserve members. Also, if the person has

only been released from active duty but is still in a reserve status, the personnel record will stay at the location specified for

reservists. A person can retain a reserve obligation for several years, even without attending meetings or receiving annual training.

See page 2 of SF180 for record locations/addresses.)

(

7. Definitions and abbreviations. DISCHARGED -- the individual has no current military status; HEALTH -- Records of physical

examinations, dental treatment, and outpatient medical treatment received while in a duty status (does not include records of

reatment while hospitalized); TDRL – Temporary Disability Retired List.

t

8. Service completed before World War I. National Archives Trust Fund (NATF) forms must be used to request these records.

btain the forms by e-mail from inquire@nara.gov or write to the Code 6 address on page 2 of the SF 180.

O

PRIVACY ACT OF 1974 COMPLIANCE INFORMATION

The following information is provided in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(3) and applies to this form. Authority for collection of

the information is 44 U.S.C. 2907, 3101, and 3103, and Public Law 104-134 (April 26, 1996), as amended in title 31, section 7701.

Disclosure of the information is voluntary. If the requested information is not provided, it may delay servicing your inquiry because

the facility servicing the service member's record may not have all of the information needed to locate it. The purpose of the

information on this form is to assist the facility servicing the records (see the address list) in locating the correct military service

record(s) or information to answer your inquiry. This form is then filed in the requested military service record as a record of

disclosure. The form may also be disclosed to Department of Defense components, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the

Department of Homeland Security (DHS, U.S. Coast Guard), or the National Archives and Records Administration when the

original custodian of the military health and personnel records transfers all or part of those records to that agency. If the service

member was a member of the National Guard, the form may also be disclosed to the Adjutant General of the appropriate state,

District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico, where he or she served.

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT

Public burden reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be five minutes per response, including time for reviewing

instructions and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other

aspect of the collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to National Archives and Records

Administration (NHP), 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001. DO NOT SEND COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS

ADDRESS. SEND COMPLETED FORMS AS INDICATED IN THE ADDRESS LIST ON PAGE 2 OF THE SF 180.

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Page 2

Standard Form 180 (Rev. 4-07) (Page 1)

Authorized for local reproduction

Prescribed by NARA (36 CFR 1228.168(b))

Previous edition unusable

OMB No. 3095-0029 Expires 9/30/2008

To ensure the best possible service, please thoroughly review the

accompanying instructions before filling out this form. Please print

REQUEST PERTAINING TO MILITARY RECORDS

clearly or type. If you need more space, use plain paper.

SECTION I - INFORMATION NEEDED TO LOCATE RECORDS (Furnish as much as possible.)

2. SOCIAL SECURITY NO.

1. NAME USED DURING SERVICE (last, first, and middle)

3. DATE OF BIRTH

4. PLACE OF BIRTH

5. SERVICE , PAST AND PRESENT

(For an effective records search, it is important that all service be shown below.)

SERVICE NUMBER

DATES OF SERVICE

CHECK ONE

DURING THIS PERIOD

a. ACTIVE

SERVICE

b. RESERVE

SERVICE

c. NATIONAL

GUARD

BRANCH OF SERVICE

DATE ENTERED

DATE RELEASED

OFFICER

ENLISTED

(If unknown, write “unknown”)

6. IS THIS PERSON DECEASED? If “YES” enter the date of death.

7. IS (WAS) THIS PERSON RETIRED FROM MILITARY SERVICE?

NO

YES

NO

YES

SECTION II – INFORMATION AND/OR DOCUMENTS REQUESTED

1. REPORT OF SEPARATION (DD Form 214 or equivalent). This contains information normally needed to verify military service. A copy may be

sent to the veteran, the deceased veteran's next of kin, or other persons or organizations if authorized in Section III, below. NOTE: If more than one

period of service was performed, even in the same branch, there may be more than one Report of Separation. Be sure to show EACH year that a Report of

Separation was issued, for which you need a copy.

An UNDELETED Report of Separation is requested for the year(s)

This normally will be a copy of the full separation document including such sensitive items as the character of separation, authority for separation, reason

for separation, reenlistment eligibility code, separation (SPD/SPN) code, and dates of time lost. An undeleted version is ordinarily required to determine

eligibility for benefits.

A DELETED Report of Separation is requested for the year(s)

The following information will be deleted from the copy sent: authority for separation, reason for separation, reenlistment eligibility code,

separation(SPD/SPN) code, and for separations after June 30, 1979, character of separation and dates of time lost.

2. OTHER INFORMATION AND/OR DOCUMENTS REQUESTED

3. PURPOSE (Optional – An explanation of the purpose of the request is strictly voluntary. Such information may help the agency answering this

request to provide the best possible response and will in no way be used to make a decision to deny the request.)

SECTION III - RETURN ADDRESS AND SIGNATURE

1. REQUESTER IS:

Military service member or veteran identified in Section I, above

Next of kin of deceased veteran

(relation)

2. SEND INFORMATION/DOCUMENTS TO:

(Please print or type. See item 3 on accompanying instructions.)

Name

Street

Apt.

City

State

Zip Code

Legal guardian (must submit copy of court appointment)

Other (specify)

3.

AUTHORIZATION SIGNATURE REQUIRED (See item 2 on

accompanying instructions.) I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty

of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the information

in this Section III is true and correct.

Signature

(Please do not print.)

(

)

Date of this request

Daytime phone

Email address

** This form is available at http://www.archives.gov/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf on the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) web site.**

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Page 3

Standard Form 180 (Rev. 4-07) (Page 2)

Authorized for local reproduction

Prescribed by NARA (36 CFR 1228.168(b))

Previous edition unusable

OMB No. 3095-0029 Expires 9/30/2008

LOCATION OF MILITARY RECORDS

The various categories of military service records are described in the chart below. For each category there is a code number which indicates the address

at the bottom of the page to which this request should be sent. Please refer to the Instruction and Information Sheet accompanying this form as needed.

ADDRESS CODE

BRANCH

CURRENT STATUS OF SERVICE MEMBER

Personnel

Record

Health

Record

Discharged, deceased, or retired before 5/1/1994

14

14

Discharged, deceased, or retired 5/1/1994 – 9/30/2004

14

11

Discharged, deceased, or retired on or after 10/1/2004

1

11

Active (including National Guard on active duty in the Air Force), TDRL, or general officers retired with pay

1

Reserve, retired reserve in nonpay status, current National Guard officers not on active duty in the Air Force, or

National Guard released from active duty in the Air Force

2

AIR

FORCE

Current National Guard enlisted not on active duty in the Air Force

13

Discharge , deceased, or retired before 1/1/1898

6

Discharged, deceased, or retired 1/1/1898 – 3/31/1998

14

14

Discharged, deceased, or retired on or after 4/1/1998

14

11

COAST

GUARD

Active, reserve, or TDRL

3

Discharged, deceased, or retired before 1/1/1905

6

Discharged, deceased, or retired 1/1/1905 – 4/30/1994

14

14

Discharged, deceased, or retired 5/1/1994 – 12/31/1998

14

11

Discharged, deceased, or retired on or after 1/1/1999

4

11

Individual Ready Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps Reserve

5

MARINE

CORPS

Active, Selected Marine Corps Reserve, TDRL

4

Discharged, deceased, or retired before 11/1/1912 (enlisted) or before 7/1/1917 (officer)

6

Discharged, deceased, or retired 11/1/1912 – 10/15/1992 (enlisted) or 7/1/1917 – 10/15/1992 (officer)

14

14

Discharged, deceased, or retired 10/16/1992 – 9/30/2002

14

11

Discharged, deceased, or retired on or after 10/1/2002

7

11

Reserve; or active duty records of current National Guard members who performed service in the U.S. Army

before 7/1/1972

7

Active enlisted (including National Guard on active duty in the U.S. Army) or TDRL enlisted

9

Active officers (including National Guard on active duty in the U.S. Army) or TDRL officers

8

Current National Guard enlisted not on active duty in Army (including records of Army active duty performed

after 6/30/1972)

13

ARMY

Current National Guard officers not on active duty in Army (including records of Army active duty performed

after 6/30/1972)

12

Discharged, deceased, or retired before 1/1/1886 (enlisted) or before 1/1/1903 (officer)

6

Discharged, deceased, or retired 1/1/1886 – 1/30/1994 (enlisted) or 1/1/1903 – 1/30/1994 (officer)

14

14

Discharged, deceased, or retired 1/31/1994 – 12/31/1994

14

11

Discharged, deceased, or retired on or after 1/1/1995

10

11

NAVY

Active, reserve, or TDRL

10

PHS

Public Health Service - Commissioned Corps officers only

15

ADDRESS LIST OF CUSTODIANS (BY CODE NUMBERS SHOWN ABOVE) – Where to write/send this form

1

Air Force Personnel Center

HQ AFPC/DPSRP

550 C Street West, Suite 19

Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4721

6

National Archives & Records Administration

Old Military and Civil Records (NWCTB-Military)

Textual Services Division

700 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.

Washington, DC 20408-0001

11

Department of Veterans Affairs

Records Management Center

P.O. Box 5020

St. Louis, MO 63115-5020

2

Air Reserve Personnel Center /DSMR

HQ ARPC/DPSSA/B

6760 E. Irvington Place, Suite 4600

Denver, CO 80280-4600

7

U.S. Army Human Resources Command

ATTN: AHRC-PAV-V

1 Reserve Way

St. Louis, MO 63132-5200

12

Army National Guard Readiness Center

NGB-ARP

111 S. George Mason Dr.

Arlington, VA 22204-1382

3

Commander, CGPC-adm-3

USCG Personnel Command

4200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100

Arlington, VA 22203-1804

8

U.S. Army Human Resources Command

ATTN: AHRC-MSR

200 Stovall Street

Alexandria, VA 22332-0444

13

The Adjutant General

(of the appropriate state, DC, or Puerto Rico)

4

Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps

Personnel Management Support Branch

(MMSB-10)

2008 Elliot Road

Quantico, VA 22134-5030

9

Commander USAEREC

ATTN: PCRE-F

8899 E. 56th St.

Indianapolis, IN 46249-5301

14

National Personnel Records Center

(Military Personnel Records)

9700 Page Ave.

St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

5

Marine Corps Reserve Support Command

(Code MMI)

15303 Andrews Road

Kansas City, MO 64147-1207

10

Navy Personnel Command (PERS-312)

5720 Integrity Drive

Millington, TN 38055-3130

15

Division of Commissioned Corps Officer Support

ATTN: Records Officer

1101 Wooton Parkway, Plaza Level, Suite 100

Rockville, MD 20852

[caisson71]

The argument about Kerry’s war record should be settled pretty much like the argument about whether the world is flat. Those who still believe that Kerry “earned” his three Purple Hearts still believe the world is flat and they can probably find a few who will attest to that.

[dynachrome]

You are correct. Friendly reporter to john effing.

[Interesting Times]

If I remember correctly, he signed the SF 180, but did not authorize ALL his records, including medical, to be released. He then sent them to the wrong archive to further the PHONEY release agenda.

That lays it out pretty well. One more thing: Kerry didn't make the SF-180 itself public, either, so nobody can tell what he actually requested.

[redlegplanner]

Questions that I have never seen the answer to:

1. How many other men rec’d 3x Purple Hearts?
2. How many other men were sent home after receiving 3x Purple Hearts? i.e., was this a common event?
3. What % of eligible servicemen took this route?
4. How are their wounds characterized, particularly wound #3?

[spookie]

John Kerry’s dd-214 issued in 1978 included a statement in the remarks column that a board of officer had reviewed his record and approved an honorable discharge.

The reality is his enlistment ended in 1972 and was issued other than an honorable discharge. President Carter allowed those during the vietnam era with a less than honorable discharge to have it reviewed and upgraded.

Another fact. When you receive a citation by a General, Admiral or the president, you receive one copy. You do not have the opportunity to have it rewritten twice and signed by two other officials over a 17 year period.

The odd of someone honestly being entitled to three purple hearts in a four month period that required a total of one day in sickbay are extremely difficult to compute that small a number.

[vigilante2]

http://stophanoikerry.150m.com/

[17th Miss Regt]

It was probably a discharge for the good of the Navy. These discharges are used for personnel that are not desirable to have around the Navy, but which the Navy can't or won't court-martial. Severe personality disorders are one reason. Another reason might be a charge of treason (which requires two eyewitnesses) for which only one eyewitness is available. As a hypothetical illustration, suppose some naval lieutenant went to Paris during the Vietnam war negotiations, met with the Vietcong delegation and gave them advice about how to wear down American resolve and undermine the war effort. And suppose military intelligence got wind of it. They know the perpetrator did it but can't prove it in a court martial. Instead, the military uses this type of discharge to mark them as highly undesirable.

It should be noted that he got his discharge upgraded at least twice. An honorable discharge is the result of upgrading a general discharge. A general discharge may be the result of upgrading a BCD, DD or other punitive discharge. It can also be a reclassification from a negative, but non-punitive discharge. Like a discharge for the good of the navy.

Also note that he was re-awarded his medals about 15 years after his discharge. You don't get medals re-awarded unless you already had them and then were stripped of them. Say, like the naval lieutenant in the hypothetical situation described above.

[17th Miss Regt]

Copies of the SF-180 forms he signed were posted a few weeks ago. They authorized disclosure of his record to three friendly reporters (a.k.a. boot-licking lickspittles), one from the Boston Globe, and two others.

[lepton]

The debate is whether he really earned his purple hearts.

Well, according to Kerry's diary he kept at the time, 8 days after he received his first purple heart, he claimed he'd not yet seen combat.

[kabar]

Here ya go, Kerry signed his 180 for full release (to Kranish) on May 20, 2005. Nobody but Kranish has it, and he read everything and found nothing new, just more praises and laurels for Jon

Kerry released his records to three reporters. These are the copies of the three 180s

[kabar]

See my post #53 for signed copies of the 180s.

[lepton]

Apparently Kerry never intended to go in to any actual combat. First he served on a ship off the shore, and then volunteered for swift boat duty. However (as I understand it) the mission of the swift boats changed with unfortunate timing for him, going further inland where the fighting was. Which he had not anticipated when he volunteered.

That's essentially correct. Ironically, When President Bush joined the Texas Air National Guard, he volunteered to a unit that was sending pilots to Vietnam, but that changed while he was in training.

[17th Miss Regt]

Thank you, kabar!

[Interesting Times]

First I’ve seen of those. I know he didn’t release the forms themselves at the time he signed them.

[Just A Nobody]

Thanks! Good to know I have not completely lost my mind! LOL

[kabar]

Kerry's official records are not going to show much because he is the one who supplied the information that formed the basis of those records. It is the firsthand observations of his contemporaries, as provided in Unfit for Command, that dispute the official record.

I would be interested in only a couple of things. I would like to see how his first PH was approved. Dr. Letson's medical report would show that the injury was not from hostile fire and there was no after action report, the sina qua non for a PH. The other two PHs have the proper documentation. Adm. William Schachte: 'No enemy fire' One of John Kerry's superior officers disputes the circumstances Kerry claims led to the awarding of his first Purple Heart

I would also want to learn the story behind his request for replacement medals that was submitted not long after he was elected to the Senate in 1984. I think he really did throw away his medals. The other possibility is that he wanted two sets to display in his Senate office and at his home in Boston.

[Just A Nobody]

In memory of our beloved Tonkin —

Kerry allows Navy release of military, medical records (Navy provided them to Boston Globe)
boston Globe ^ | June 7, 2005 | Michael Kranish
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1417940/posts

Swift Boat Veteran For Truth John O’Neill Comments on Kerry’s 180 ‘Release’
blogsforbush.com ^ | 6/7/05 | Matt
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1418592/posts

John Kerry was dishonorably dismissed from the Navy: (statement from lawyers there at the time)
TECHNIGUY.COM ^ | MAY 16, 2005 | DONALD L. NELSON, CAPT, JAGC, USNR (Ret) & Mark F. Sullivan
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1406760/posts

Reporting for Duty - (John Kerry’s signed 180 release is a fast shuffle; complete info not public!)
AMERICAN SPECTATOR.ORG ^ | JUNE 8, 2005 | THE PROWLER
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1418868/posts

On the mixed-up files of John Kerry
http://powerlineblog.com ^ | 6-8-2005 07:54 AM | Scott Johnson
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1418899/posts

Kerry Makes His Military, Medical File Available (O’Neil says it is Incomplete! GO O’Neil GO!!)
LA Times ^ | 6/8/05
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1418827/posts

Little Acorns and Mighty Oaks - (Navy vet, Mensa member challenges Kerry on military records!!
INTELLECTUAL CONSERVATIVE.COM ^ | JUNE 9, 2005 | SAM SEWELL
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1421687/posts

Did Kerry really release Navy records? - (John O’Neill issues challenge; Kerry unresponsive)
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES ^ | JUNE 9, 2005 | THOMAS LIPSCOMB
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1419596/posts (see Tonk’s post 40)

Kerry’s Vietnam (Boston Globe painted into a Corner)
Boston Glob ^ | 6/10/05 | GLOBE EDITORIAL
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1420695/posts
(aside: see post 54)

Questions Remain About Kerry’s Military Records
Editor & Publisher ^ | 6/11/05 | Thomas Lipscomb
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1420953/posts

You Saw Them Here First (Copies of Kerry’s 180)
Powerline ^ | June 20, 2005
Posted on 06/20/2005 8:24:53 PM PDT by hipaatwo
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1427088/posts