RIBBONGATE?

[chiburb]

Chicago Tribune, Eric Zorn:

Snip:

A headline in the British newspaper the Telegraph reads, "Kerry campaign attacks President over 'war honor he did not earn.'"

The story alleges that
(President Bush) was once photographed in (military) uniform wearing a medal ribbon he had not earned.

As polls showed that Mr. Bush had edged ahead of Mr. Kerry for the first time, a pro-Kerry organization labeled the President an "impostor" over the photograph, taken in 1970 and discovered in his father's Presidential Library in Houston, Texas. The ribbon is an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award - which was not awarded to the 111th Fighter Intercept Squadron in which Mr. Bush served until 1975, five years after the photograph was taken, according to the group US War Report.
So what?

"It betrays the Honor Code that every officer learns and carries throughout his or her career," a man calling himself "Walt Starr" told the newspaper.

"Walt Starr" is the nom de Web of the Aurora man who did the initial research and launched the story on the Internet here.

It has since been picked up by several popular Web logs, including Daily Kos where the details have "been vetted and proofed by thousands," Kos proclaims.

More here:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ericzorn/chi-zornlog.story

[LuminousX]

1. Go Walt, Go!

[dave29]

2. Who is the mysterious "Walt Star"

;)

[gasperc]

4. frequent poster, Great Job Walt!!!!

did a bunch of great research about medals and ribbons that Bush was photographed with and claims he has made on his resume. Check out last weeks archives!!

Great job, Walt!!!!

[saracat]

3. Go Walt Go!

You rock!

[Walt Starr]

5. Well well well

At least it's something. Hopefully it will lead to more!

On a note about where the research is, I've got a request in to the National Archives for copies of the appropriate regulations from the time.

[chiburb]

6. If you click through to the Trib column,

You'll see that Walt was not only written about, but his research on DU is linked!

[Spazito]

7. WTG Walt!

Mainstream paper! This is the drip, drip, drip that is needed to work this into a main headline! It takes time to move a story, it WILL continue to show up more and more, I believe!

[molly]

8. Well, Walt all of your hard work paid off!

:yourock:

[Walt Starr]

9. Starting to, anyway

I must've sent off the research to a dozen different journalists asking questions via email early this morning.

[X_republican]

13. Well, I want to thank you too.

I've sent your thread to many of my friends, including a Lt. Col in the Army, a former Ranger. He was less than impressed.

[calimary]

14. Huzzah, Walt! EXCELLENT work!

Amazing that it actually was picked up. As it SHOULD be. Keep it up!

[Bernardo de La Paz]

10. Threads

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x684479

[chiburb]

11. Kick to the top...

[wicket]

12. Walt Starr is my hero!

:)

[Walt Starr]

16. John Kerry is my hero!

Kerry's Awards for Service:

Kerry' s




Dumbya*'s:



OOPS!!!! maybe:



OOPS, still doesn't jive with the record:



There now, all that is completely documented in bush's record.

Top to bottom, left to right as you look at them

Kerry:

Silver Star (Verified via DD214)
Bronze Star (Should have Bronze Combat "V" Device, Verified via DD214)
Purple Heart (Should have two Gold Star devices for subsequent awards, Verified via DD214)
Combat Action Ribbon (Verified via DD214)
Presidential Unit Citation (Verified via DD215, worn above left pocket per Navy regs)
Navy Unit Commendation (Verified via DD215)
National Defense Service Medal (Verified via DD214)
Vietnam Service Medal(Verified via DD214, w/four bronze star devices verified via DD215)
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (Verified via DD215)
Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation (Verified via DD215)
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (Verified via DD215)

Dubya:

Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (verified via NGB22)

[Walt Starr]

18. A kick for the comparison

It's striking.

[John_H]

15. Will the freepers now go get teeth implants named " Walt Star"

like they agreed? There it is Freeps, the story has broken in a major american newspaper.

[Walt Starr]

17. Just had to post my personal gratitude to Eric Zorn

Thanks guy, this got play in the U.S. press.

[chiburb]

19. Back to Page 1...n/t

[Spazito]

20. Kick!

:kick:

[Rich Hunt]

21. wow!

It didn't take much time at all.

Well done, Walt - you've done Illinois proud!

:thumbsup:

Touche!!!!

[TNOE]

22. Thank you Walt

Excellent job.