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2004-08-28 Home Front: Politix

Kerry citation a 'total mystery' to ex-Navy chief Lehman

more fun and embellishment
Former Navy Secretary John Lehman has no idea where a Silver Star citation displayed on Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry's campaign Web site came from, he said Friday. The citation appears over Lehman's signature.

"It is a total mystery to me. I never saw it. I never signed it. I never approved it. And the additional language it contains was not written by me," he said.

The additional language varied from the two previous citations, signed first by Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and then Adm. John Hyland, which themselves differ. The new material added in the Lehman citation reads in part: "By his brave actions, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant (jg) Kerry reflected great credit upon himself...."
LOL - another self-written AAR?
Asked how the citation could have been executed over his signature without his knowledge, Lehman said: "I have no idea. I can only imagine they were signed by an autopen." The autopen is a device often used in the routine execution of executive documents in government.

Kerry senior adviser Michael Meehan could not be reached for comment on Kerry's records.

Posted by Frank G 2004-08-28 10:59:16 AM|| || Front Page|| [11151 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 This is a non-issue. If John F. Kerry mispalced (threw over a fence) his original medal/citation, the DOD allows you to get a replacement of these awards. I guessing that if the Navy didn't have a copy of the original, then Frenchie probably (I am not certain) provided a narrative for the replacement award.

Posted by Cyber Sarge 2004-08-28 11:11:16 AM|| 2004-08-28 11:11:16 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 Sarge -- Kerry didn't loose the original. He also has two other versions of the same citation around.

Posted by Robert Crawford 2004-08-28 11:16:30 AM|| [http://www.kloognome.com/] 2004-08-28 11:16:30 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 true - a non-issue, but adds to the picture of a biography-polishing creep

Posted by Frank G 2004-08-28 11:22:42 AM|| 2004-08-28 11:22:42 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 Kerry is attempting to keep his entire voting record a âtotal mysteryâ, but that too shall change in the final election countdown.

Posted by Mark Espinola 2004-08-28 11:43:08 AM|| 2004-08-28 11:43:08 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 Wait, does that mean that high government officials use autopens for official documents? I thought those things were for minor tasks, like signatures on form letters and the like. If somebody's using autopens for something as official as a silver star citation, something's gone awry, if you ask me.

Posted by Mitch H. 2004-08-28 1:24:30 PM|| [http://blogfonte.blogspot.com/] 2004-08-28 1:24:30 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 The following quote is from a link posted by BigEd yesterday, but bears repeating.
...let us consult the Boston Globe for the same day (May 18,1996): âThe military is a rigorous culture that places a high premium on battlefield accomplishment,â said Sen. John F. Kerry, who received numerous decorations, including a Bronze Star with a "V" pin, as a Navy lieutenant in Vietnam. âIn a sense, there's nothing that says more about your career than when you fought, where you fought and how you fought,â Kerry said.

âIf you wind up being less than what youâre pretending to be, there is a major confrontation with value and self-esteem and your sense of how others view you.â
Of Boorda and his apparent violation, Kerry said: âWhen you are the chief of them all, it has to weigh even more heavily.â Such as Commander-in-Chief, John? For once I agree with Kerry. More the reason for him to come completely clean on his war and anti-war records.

Posted by GK 2004-08-28 3:50:33 PM|| 2004-08-28 3:50:33 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 Oops. I could have been clearer on the link. see SHAMELESS Kerry

Posted by GK 2004-08-28 3:54:40 PM|| 2004-08-28 3:54:40 PM|| Front Page Top

#8 GK - link Fubar'd... gotta post the whole url...

Posted by Frank G 2004-08-28 4:20:59 PM|| 2004-08-28 4:20:59 PM|| Front Page Top

#9 GK,
That Kerry quote would be great in a future Swiftvets ad.

Posted by ed 2004-08-28 5:09:46 PM|| 2004-08-28 5:09:46 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 #8 Try this http://www.nationalreview.com/kerry/kerry200408271553.asp if that doesn't work go to "link" in #6 and click on SHAMELESS Kerry

Posted by GK 2004-08-28 6:11:02 PM|| 2004-08-28 6:11:02 PM|| Front Page Top

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