By Fax & FedEx
Hon. Gordon R. England ADM Vern Clark, USN
Secretary of the Navy Chief of Naval Operations
2000 Defense Pentagon 2000 Navy Pentagon
VADM Albert T. Church III, USN Navy Department Board of Decorations
Office of the Naval Inspector General and Medals
1014
N Street SE,
Re:
Supplemental Filing to
References:
a. Paragraphs 113, 114, 116, 117, 222.2 and
222.4 of Secretary of the Navy (“SECNAV”) Instruction 1650.1G (“Navy and Marine
Corps Awards Manual”)
b. 10
U.S.C. ' 6249 (“Limitation of Honorable Service.”)
c.
10 U.S.C. § 5020 (“Naval
Inspector General: Detail; Duties.”)
d.
Paragraphs 8b(5), 8b(6), 8b(9), and 8b(12), SECNAV Instruction 5430.57F (“
e.
Paragraphs 6a(1) et
seq., SECNAV Instruction 5430.92A (“Assignment of Responsibilities to
Counteract Fraud, Waste and Related Improprieties Within the Department of the
Navy”)
f.
Department of Defense Inspector General letter of
Gentlemen:
This letter supplements
Recent press reports have documented how Senator Kerry’s DD Form 214 lists a “Silver Star with Combat ‘V.’” Senator Kerry posted his DD Form 214 (and other selected service related documents) on the Internet at JohnKerry.com. As you are aware, the “Combat ‘V’” device is never awarded with the nation’s third highest award for heroism.
Journalist
Section 113.3 of SECNAVINST 1650.1G directs that only the Secretary of the Navy can, in the name of the President, award the Silver Star. Orders and citations posted on Senator Kerry’s Internet site reflect citations for the Silver Star being “awarded” to Senator Kerry under the authority of both Vice Admiral Zumwalt (Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Vietnam) and Admiral Hyland (Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet).
It appears these officers lacked the lawful authority to grant the award of the Silver Star. That may, in some part, explain the third citation for the same award of the Silver Star involving the apparent use of an autopen during former Secretary Lehman’s tenure as SECNAV. Perhaps the “Lehman Citation” was generated in an attempt to provide ex post facto “legal” ratification for an unauthorized award. In any case, Secretary Lehman’s categorical denial of approval of the citation for the republic’s third highest award for heroism raises serious questions of integrity and abuse of authority within the Office of the SECNAV that merit your attention.
Additionally, the pertinent regulations require that the Silver Star be awarded within 5 years of the date of the combat action. SECNAVINST 1650.1G contains time limits for the submission of recommendations. In the case of the Silver Star, the Instruction states: "3 years from the date of the action. Award must be made within 5 years of date of action (5)." (See Appendix A, Page 2-34 to SECNAVINST 1650.1G.) Pursuant to this Directive, even assuming Secretary Lehman's ex post facto autopen ratification of the award of the Silver Star is not a legal nullity, Secretary Lehman’s actions occurred more than 5 years from the date of the action and is consequently null and void on these grounds alone.
The various changes in citation language between each version of Senator Kerry’s “award,” and the questions concerning legitimate approval authority may also make the award a nullity. Should the “Lehman Citation” be found null and void, (particularly given the questions concerning approval authority and the three versions of the citation language) then Senator Kerry may run afoul of 18 U.S.C. ' 704 which prohibits the “unauthorized wear of any decoration. . .” and carries criminal sanctions.
Furthermore, Senator Kerry’s
records also reflect the award of a Vietnam Service Medal with 4 bronze
stars. Military experts consulted by
Senator Kerry’s signature on his DD Form 214 certifies that his record of service and “Report of Transfer or Discharge” is accurate and complete. Every person who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces understands and appreciates the importance of the DD Form 214. 18 U.S.C, ' 1001 (“False Official Statement”) applies to persons who knowingly provide false, misleading or incomplete information for their DD Form 214, and then certify the information on the form with their signature.
Many Swift Boat Veterans have
questioned the legitimacy of Senator Kerry’s Purple Heart awards. We addressed the Purple Heart matter and
Senator Kerry’s notorious, dishonorable conduct as a Commissioned Officer in
the inactive Naval Reserve during the period January 1970 through July 1972 in
our
These contradictory and inconsistent records demand your full investigation. Indeed, Senator Kerry’s own biographer, the historian Douglas Brinkley, author of
Tour of Duty, called for further examination of Senator Kerry’s records stating, "Clearly some of these military records should be made available to the press," while appearing on Steve Malzberg's WABC radio show on Saturday, September 5, 2004.
We call upon Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England to launch a full and complete investigation of the awards granted Lieutenant (jg) John Forbes Kerry, USNR, as well as Kerry’s conduct subsequent to the granting of the awards, with respect to the Secretary’s obligations under paragraph 116 of SECNAV Instruction 1650.1G.
Sincerely,
JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.
Thomas Fitton
President
CC: Defense Inspector General John E. Schmitz
Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld