The American Spectator

Vietnam Campaign Ribbon Stars: In actuality, Kerry served in four Vietnam campaigns, two while stationed in Vietnam and two while on the USS Gridley. If you check the attached link, you will see how the campaigns are delineated. NAMED CAMPAIGNS - VIETNAM Kerry was wrong however to request four stars. The ribbon counts as one star. There should be three stars rather than four. I suspect that the Navy spokesman was only referring to Kerry’s Vietnam service when he stated that Kerry was entitled to two.

I should note my service as a naval officer (1965-72) including service in Vietnam — 8 months off the coast on the USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) and 12 months in Danang — gives me some insight on how the award process works.

p>Thank you for pursuing this story. Anyone with any military background will tell you that something is very wrong when almost all of your peers and all of your superiors conclude that you are unfit for command. The bottom line is that this question has to be made public so it can be researched. Even a best case scenario for Kerry, i.e., he wanted medal citations signed by the Secretary of the Navy for display purposes, portrays someone who is obsessed about Vietnam and his medals. Who else would have PH3 on his license plates? br> — Michael McLaughlin br> McLean, Virginia /p>

I’m sorry to say that your facts are pitifully wrong. There are 3 versions of Kerry’s Silver Star Citation, not 2. The original signed by Zumwalt, 1 signed by ADM Hyland, and the final one signed by Lehman. Here’s a link to a comprehensive comparison of all 3 citations.

You’re correct on the analysis of the Combat “V” device.

You’re badly mistaken on campaign stars on his VSM. He is entitled to 4. 2 while on the USS Gridley in early ‘68 and 2 while on Swifts in late ‘68 to early ‘69.

p>What needs to be pursued is the sanitization and embellishment of the citations. The Combat “V” issue, being so blatantly wrong, may be nothing more than a civilian error occurring while otherwise embellishing Kerry’s record. br> — Tom Mortensen br> Silver Star Recipient USN RVN ‘68-‘69 /p>