| Submit your comments on this article |
| Home Front: Politix |
| Plot thickens after checking records |
| 2004-08-27 |
| Note : Discussed at length by Hugh Hewitt at his show opening. In the midst of the controversy between the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth and Kerry campaign representatives about Kerry's service in Vietnam, new questions have arisen. The Kerry campaign has repeatedly stated that the official naval records prove the truth of Kerry's assertions about his service. But the official records on Kerry's Web site only add to the confusion. The DD214 form, an official Defense Department document summarizing Kerry's military career posted on johnkerry.com, includes a "Silver Star with combat V." But according to a U.S. Navy spokesman, "Kerry's record is incorrect. The Navy has never issued a 'combat V' to anyone for a Silver Star." Naval regulations do not allow for the use of a "combat V" for the Silver Star, the third-highest decoration the Navy awards. None of the other services has ever granted a Silver Star "combat V," either. But Kerry has no shame as we all know. . . Shameless Kerry So what does he do now? The snake. . . . |
| Posted by:BigEd |
| #6 Super Hose, I have no doubt that this serviceman earned his decoration to the fullest. But the article above says that Silver Star with Valor doesn't exist? I don't get it. |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2004-08-28 12:03:44 AM |
| #5 TGA, here is the story on what Bittinger did. âBasically, I just wanted to stop them. I wasnât thinking about anything else,â said Bittinger, who was surprised to be awarded the medal. âWeâre here trying to keep peace, and you have all these people who suddenly want to kill you. Itâs amazing how quickly they can turn on you.â The other guy, Plata, the driver who was knocked unconscious by the blast that killed his buddy and then immediately returned on the 2nd mission as the gunner, ought not bother having to wear a "V" on his medal. They should tattoo a giant "V" on his chest and make him add a Superman cape to his uniform. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-08-28 12:00:12 AM |
| #4 Soldier Awarded Silver Star with Valor "FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, Iraq, July 20, 2004 â The 1st Infantry Division Commander, Maj. Gen. John R.S. Batiste, awarded the Silver Star medal with Valor, one of the highest military decorations, to Staff Sgt. Raymond Bittinger, an infantryman from the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment and attached to the 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery, according to 1st Infantry Division officials." Sorry but what am I missing here? This is a .mil site after all? |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2004-08-27 11:24:53 PM |
| #3 Bronze stars get a V for Valor if they involve heroism under fire. No V if its just exceptional performance under fire. For being very efficient and going above and beyond under fire, we got bronze stars for actions taken that kept a bad situation from going worse, etc. The V was for taking the butt of a rifle and whacking a grenade from between the hatch and the top deck while under fire - it blew up over the side. Dont ask me "why whack a grenade with a rifle butt" ... it seemed like a good idea at the time - the grenade could have killed if it had rolled in. Now that the years have gone by and I look back on the crazy sh*t we did, I wonder what the hell we were thinking doing all that stuff. Under 40, you still have illusions of being immortal I guess, until you see combat. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2004-08-27 10:56:27 PM |
| #2 There ought to be other records of his service like the situtioan reports he submitted that are not part of his service record but would be retained by the DOD. I am surprised that no one has dropped a FOIA request for everything that remotely relates to Swift boats. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-08-27 7:20:27 PM |
| #1 I have the purdy good conduct metal with a T for trying |
| Posted by: Half 2004-08-27 7:11:40 PM |