I had this very same argument with another Freeper today, and you have correctly stated that Cleland did NOT receive a Purple Heart for what was in reality, a supreme example of poor judgment (picking up a live grenade while under enemy fire).
I do point out however that Cleland WAS awarded a Silver Star and Bronze Star related to his conduct PRIOR to the grenade incident of 8 April 1968:
Silver Star Medal Citation
"Captain Cleland distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 4 April 1968 … during an enemy attack near Khe Sanh. When the battalion command post came under a heavy enemy rocket and mortar attack, Captain Cleland, disregarding his own safety, exposed himself to the rocket barrage as he left his covered position to administer first aid to his wounded comrades. He then assisted in moving the injured personnel to covered positions. Continuing to expose himself, Captain Cleland organized his men into a work party to repair the battalion communications equipment, which had been damaged by enemy fire. His gallant action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army."
You are correct SkyPilot, and Cleland has already stated that there was nothing heroic about his mishap with a live grenade. But in the interest of fairness, we cannot dismiss his other conduct which qualifies as heroic, and earned him the Silver and Bronze Stars.
Is Max Cleland a hero?
The evidence of 4 April 1968 suggests that he most certainly was.
Cleland was a “ hero” for his actions that earned the Silver Star. No question about it.
Kerry was very brave in the face of enemy fire so I’ll give him his due. However, it is the fudging of the stories about how he got “three” purples hearts is the heart of the problem. He lied about them or exaggerated about them.
He also lied about his commission of an accidential killing of a Vietnamese woman and her son on a boat, and covered it up.
He lied about what happened at Bay Hap River (and how he left a man behind). Much of this is in the book “Unfit for Command” by O’Neil and Corsi (I did some research for the book), and more is found in the follow-up book “Setting the Record Straight” by Scott Swett, son of a Vietnam vet and Tim Ziegler, a Viet vet).
Kerry was “no officer and gentleman.” He was an opportunist who advanced his own career at the expense of better men he betrayed in Vietnam, and then of all the Vietnam Veterans he betrayed on Television in April, 1971.
Also, his illegal contacts with the VC and No. Vietnamese in Paris constituted treason, and eventually this will catch up with Mr. Heinz.
Remember, Benedict Arnold was a “hero” before he became a “traitor.”
[Cleland should be left alone. He was more honest about his injury than was the mass media].
Madmax - Nam journalist