CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER
Robert Novak interviews a decorated Vietnam veteran who was on Kerry's boat when he received his first purple heart, and he disputes Kerry's story. So much for the argument that none of the anti-Kerry Swift Boat Veteran's actually served with him on his boat.

There as some questions that need to be asked of John Kerry, according to this Chicago Sun-Times article. The article points out that John Kerry's DD214, as posted on his website, says that he was awarde the SILVER STAR WITH COMBAT "V".



As pointed out in the Sun-Times article, there's no "V" for the Silver Star. in fact, here's the Navy Reg, SECNAVINST 1650.1G:

Bronze "V" (Combat Distinguishing Device).
Prior to 4 April 1974, the "V" was authorized for wear on
the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service
Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy
Achievement Medal.

OK, so maybe Navy documents can be wrong. So much for the only defense Kerry has offered against the Swift Boat allegations (besides changing his story on Cambodia), that the Navy records verify his story and he must be right and all of those with different memories are lying.

More troublesome issues are raised in the Sun-Times story. Why multiple citations for the same award? Why was he not discharged until 1978, when he was due to be discharged in 1972? The author of Stolen Valor, a Vietnam veteran and recipient of the Army's Distinguished Civilian Service Award is asking these questions. He says: "The multiple citations and variations in the official record are reason for suspicion in itself, even disregarding the current swift boat veterans' controversy."

Mr. Kerry should be hounded until he releases all of his military records - in the same way Mr. Bush has been hounded on the national guard records - to support the foundation on which he has built his campaign for president.