"Fred the Red Shirt" wrote in message
om...
"Kevin Brooks" wrote in message
...

No, he is merely pointing out the obvious fact that not *every* Silver
Star
was evidence of heroism, and his example of LBJ is an appropriate one in
this case.

I'd like to hear more bout LBJ's silver star.

After wrangling himself a USNR commission, he junketed to the southwest
Pacific and rode in a single sortie (some accounts indicate a milk run) on a
B-26. After he landed they pinned a SS on him, with appropriate press
coverage, of course. Pretty disgusting, all in all.


The curious nature of those Purple Hearts received with
reportedly no absence from duty does make his awards situation
questionable.

My understanding is that none of the three wounds were serious.
I presume that he received firstr aid in the field and did not
require hospitalization upon his return. I don't know what
standard, if any, there is for a purple heart but I don't think
they are restricted to injuries that render one unfit for duty.

Like any decoration, the Purple Heart award can be "abused" in terms of how
it is handed out. My brother knew of one guy in his outfit who actually
tried to write himself up for one (he stubbed his toe trying to get into a
bunker during a rocket attack on their base in Danang); his own commander
offered him one after he was shot down and wrenched his back in the crash
(he laughed that one off). Seeing a guy like Kerry who gets not one, but
*three* PH's, with no reported lost duty days (he claims he missed "one or
two days" for one of the wounds, but we have not seen his records to that
effect yet, have we?) should raise one's eyebrow a bit.

AR 600-8-22: "...the wound for which the award is made must have required
treatment by a medical officer and records of medical treatment for wounds
or injuries received in action must have been made a matter of official
record." Let's see if the media beagles so interested in GWB's military
records care to dig up the dirt on Kerry's PH's--I am not holding my breath.

Brooks


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FF