Dead Cant Rant

The Kerry campaign has admitted that Kerry may indeed have received his first Purple Heart for shooting himself during a non-combat action:

GARRETT: “And questions keep coming. For example, Kerry received a Purple Heart for wounds suffered on December 2, 1968. But in Kerry’s own journal written nine days later, he writes he and his crew, quote, ‘hadn’t been shot at yet,’ unquote. Kerry’s campaign has said it is possible this first Purple Heart was awarded for an unintentional self-inflicted wound — Brit.” (Special Report with Brit Hume Aug.23, 2004)
Kerry campaign backtracks on first Purple Heart award

This is especially interesting, since the Kerry campaign’s entry in his “Vietnam Service Timeline” distinctly says:

December 2, 1968
Kerry experiences first intense combat; receives first combat related injury.

Since the campaign will likely alter that page — as it has numerous times before — here’s a screenshot.

Assuming this is true, his Purple Heart should be revoked by the Navy. The criteria for award of a Purple Heart are:

a. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of an Armed Force who, while serving with the U.S. Armed Services after 5 April 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded;

1. In any action against an enemy of the United States;
FAILED. Kerry’s own diary entry shows he was not in contact with the enemy on December 2, 1968.

2. In any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged;
FAILED. He was not in “action with an opposing armed force.”

3. While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party;
FAILED. The United States was actively engaged in armed conflict against the forces of North Vietnam and the National Liberation Front (aka the Viet Cong).

4. As a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces;
FAILED. No enemy attacked that day, per John Kerry’s own diary admission.

5. As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force;
FAILED. No enemy attacked that day.

6. After 28 March 1973, as a result of an international terrorist attack against the United States or a foreign nation friendly to the United States, recognized as such an attack by the Secretary of the department concerned, or jointly by the Secretaries of the departments concerned if persons from more than one department are wounded in the attack; or,
FAILED. No terrorism was involved.

7. After 28 March 1973, as a result of military operations, while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force.
FAILED. He doesn’t meet the date criteria. Also, this was a UN “police action”, not a peacekeeping mission.

8. After 7 December 1941, by weapon fire while directly engaged in armed conflict, regardless of the fire causing the wound.
FAILED. This is the most interesting provision, as it says “regardless of the fire causing the wound.” However, it is clearly meant to be given when such injuries are sustained while under enemy contact, as shown by the statement “while directly engaged in armed conflict.” As repeatedly shown, Kerry was not in combat that day.

9. While held as a prisoner of war or while being taken captive.
FAILED. Kerry was never a prisoner of war, though he did prolong the torture of POWs.

It is blatantly obvious, given Kerry’s own words from December 11 — that he and his crew “hadn’t been shot at yet” — that he did not deserve his first Purple Heart. Furthermore, it seems obvious from the evidence presented that he knew he didn’t deserve it, which would explain why he had to petition twice to receive the award.

Purple Hearts are awarded automatically for wounds received while under enemy fire, provided they require treatment by a medical facility — they should not be requested.

Kerry received his third Purple Heart for action on March 13, 1969. Shortly afterwards, in “early April, 1969″ Kerry left Vietnam and his “band of brothers.” Why was he allowed to leave so soon? A closer look at the statement from Navy instruction 1300.39 may be revealing.

According to Insight on the News, after receiving his third Purple Heart, Kerry petitioned for early release under Navy instruction 1300.39. The release is not automatic: it states that reassignment would “be determined after consideration of his physical classification for duty and on an individual basis.” Take note of the phrase “physical classification for duty”; this includes your mental fitness for duty:

Diplomacy professor, W. Scott Thompson, recalled a conversation with the late Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr. that clearly had a slightly different take on Mr. Kerry’s recollection of their discussions:

“[T]he fabled and distinguished chief of naval operations,Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, told me — 30 years ago when he was still CNO —that during his own command of U.S. naval forces in Vietnam, just prior to his anointment as CNO, young Kerry had created great problems for him and the other top brass,by killing so many non-combatant civilians and going after other non-military targets.‘We had virtually to straitjacket him to keep him under control,’ the admiral said.
Setting Straight Kerry’s War Record

Could it be that Kerry’s commanders felt he was unfit for duty, or at least causing enough problems by “killing so many non-combatant civilians” that they decided to transfer him out of the war, neatly avoiding the piles of paperwork and logistical hassles that would have been involved in seeking a court martial? It certainly wouldn’t be the first time someone was transferred due to incompetence.

It is common knowledge that after he returned home, Kerry became a leader of the ultra-radical, pro-Hanoi group Vietnam Veterans Against the War, leading the group to Washington, D.C. for “Operation Dewey Canyon III” — an event where he threw his ribbons over the fence at the U.S. Capitol. Why was he so willing to throw away the medals he had “earned” while in Vietnam? Perhaps the man that must have lurked somewhere inside of him felt pangs of guilt for abandoning his fellow sailors — his “brothers” — to pursue a self-aggrandizing political career.

To show the importance of the Purple Heart to those recipients who truly deserve it, a quote from a soldier who bled for his country:

As a holder of this medal, it is [as] sacred to me as my Combat Infantryman’s Badge. Those are the only two ribbons on my uniform that I wore with pride. The others I only [attributed] to “atta-boy” awards.
A retired soldier

John Kerry did not bleed for his country — he bled for himself.