Dead Cant Rant

While working on the screenshot for the last post, we noticed Kerry’s website has an interesting omission: On the Vietnam Service Timeline”, they conveniently forget to mention John Kerry’s first and third Purple Heart, but they do mention the second!

December 2, 1968
Kerry experiences first intense combat; receives first combat related injury. (no mention of the Purple Heart — ed)

…

February 20, 1969
Kerry and crew involved in combat; Kerry receives second combat injury – Kerry earned his second Purple Heart after sustaining a shrapnel wound in his left thigh.

…

March 13, 1969
For heroic achievement while serving with Coastal Division ELEVEN engaged in armed conflict with Viet Cong communist aggressors in An Xuyen Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 13 March 1969. Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry was serving as Officer in Charge of Patrol Craft Fast 94, one of five boats conducting a SEA Lords operation in the Bay Hap River. While exiting the river, a mine detonated under another Inshore Patrol Craft and almost simultaneously, another mine detonated wounding Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry in the right arm. In addition, all units began receiving small arms and automatic weapons fire from the river banks. When Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry discovered he had a man overboard, he returned upriver to assist. The man in the water was receiving sniper fire from both banks. Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry directed his gunners to provide suppressing fire, while from an exposed position on the bow, his arm bleeding and in pain and with disregard for his safety, he pulled the man aboard. Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry then directed his boat to return and assist the other damaged boat to safety. Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry’s calmness, professionalism and great personal courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry is authorized to wear the Combat “V”. (again, no mention of the Purple Heart — ed)

We do not dispute Kerry’s third Purple Heart — if he was indeed thrown into a bulkhead when a mine exploded nearby, that would and perhaps should count as a valid injury due to enemy action. However, we find it very odd that the campaign would mention his second Purple Heart on the campaign web site, yet leave (or remove?) all traces of the first and third awards?

Again, just in case they — well, hell, we know they will — change their website (again!) to revise history, here is another screenshot highlighting the first and second incidents.