[Truth and Unfit for Command: A Review]

John Kerry's Vietnam medals

Elizabeth Peyton (b. 1965), John Kerry, April 1971 [Gavin Brown]

Vietnam Service Medal

John F. Kerry qualified for four campaign stars in two tours of duty. [DD-214, DD-215]

U.S.S. Gridley operations: enroute and in Subic Bay, Gulf of Tonkin [9 February–9 May 1968]

Coastal Squadron One operations: Cam Ranh Bay, Cat Lo, An Thoi [17 November 1968–26 March 1969]

* PCF-44 was based at Cat Lo from 13 December 1968 to 6 January 1969.
Kerry was in charge of PCF-44 from 6 December 1968 to 21 January 1969 (46 days).
Kerry was in charge of PCF-94 from 30 January to 25 March 1969 (55 days).

Presidential Unit Citation

Task Force 115 SWIFT boat operations, 6 December 1968–31 March 1969

Silver Star

Sea Lords mission 270, 28 February 1969 [MAP]†

† Need to find award recommendations, other Navy Bronze Star citations. Also the two Army Bronze Star citations.

3 officers and 15 crew members present on three boats:

  1. PCF-23 (William B. Rood): Larry C. Lee, Benjamin M. Cueva, Richard J. Lamberson, Jerry R. Leeds, Kenneth Martin
  2. PCF-43 (Donald G. Droz):
  3. PCF-94 (John Kerry): Thomas Belodeau, Michael Medeiros, Del Sandusky, Fred Short, Eugene Thorson
    • [photo] (March 6, 1969) [PCF-94 Bronze Stars: Belodeau, Medieros] [PCF-94 Navy Commendation Medals: Sandusky, Short, Thorson]

Bronze Star with Combat "V"

Sea Lords mission 358, 13 March 1969 [MAP]

5 officers and 25 crew members present on five boats:

  1. PCF-3 (Richard W. Pees): Fred L. Arp, Earl N. Hollister, Kenneth F. Tryner, Leslie L. Vorphal, Walter Wolfe
  2. PCF-43 (Donald G. Droz): Wayne D. Langhofer,
  3. PCF-51 (Larry R. Thurlow): Robert E. Lambert (eyewitness for Thurlow Bronze Star),
  4. PCF-23 [manned by PCF-93] (Chenoweth): Van H. O'Dell,
  5. PCF-94 (John Kerry): Del Sandusky (eyewitness for Kerry Bronze Star), David Alston, Thomas Belodeau, Michael Medeiros, Eugene Thorson

Purple Heart 1

2 December 1968‡ [Brinkley, pp. 146-148]

‡ Need to identify mission number and find spot report.

Purple Heart 2

Sea Lords mission 324, 20 February 1969 [MAP]

Purple Heart 3

Sea Lords mission 358, 13 March 1969 (above)


[Truth and Unfit for Command: A Review]

Last revised: 10/27/04

Eric Rasmussen

hello.rasmus@gmail.com