Raising More Questions About Kerry

To the Editor:

By now we’re tired of hearing about John Kerry’s exploits in Vietnam. However, a few questions about his 4½-month tour of duty remain.

First, the three Purple Heart medals. It makes me wonder how he could be wounded and collect three medals in such a short time, but not spend a single day in any hospital; strange! I did see a scratch on his arm for one. It took a whole Band-Aid to cover it. My brother was killed in World War II and received the medal posthumously. It seems there’s a significant disparity between the requirements for the medal. It certainly devalues it.

Then, there was the Bronze Star medal for fishing a fellow sailor out of the water. What else could he do? Leave him? During the Korean War, I served on a Navy destroyer. We routinely rescued downed carrier airmen while performing plane guard duty. I never heard of anyone getting a medal for just doing his job.

The Silver Star medal raises more questions. As I understand, Kerry beached his boat and dispatched a Viet Cong who was previously hit by a .50 caliber round. Any knowledgeable veteran knows a .50 caliber round puts you down for good, not need for further heroics. Beaching the boat, on the other hand, exposes it and its crew to serious danger.

In retribution, however, he later rejected his medals by throwing them over the White House fence in company with “Hanoi Jane” Fonda. Now I hear he’s “reporting for duty” again. God help us.

Robert J. Tynan

11 Saw Mill Ridge Road, Newtown                          August 30, 2004