Many veterans were seen throwing their medals and ribbons over the fence in front of the U.S. Capitol. This time they had answered the call to fight for what ended up being the invading side and the side that was killing innocent people. I know that archives of the gifts left at the Vietnam memorial are retained, but what happened to these protest medals? The Nixon Administration made John Kerry one of its targets and Republicans have been smearing him ever since. Because bullets could easily penetrate the hull, sailors hung flak jackets over the sides. This is the sacrifice that this particular protest strategy symbolized – they were stripping themselves of any symbols that were trying to justify their actions in Vietnam, but also of their own honor. I didn't have my medals. These Veterans loved their country, but not their government. VVAW Dewey Canyon III – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P1zXcQ3ZGw, A Vietnam War veteran speaking at an anti-war protest in Washington – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkJ2aIRQl-I, Vets throwing medals at Washington – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7jhs-bGyFQ, Forrest Gump: Best Scene – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcOTZeZ3_40, Dewey Canyon III – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Emg-a_qTFQ0, “Fortunate Son,” Creedence Clearwater Revival, 1969, “Main Titles from the HBO Miniseries Band of Brothers,” Michael Kamen, 2001, “Band of Brothers Requiem (Voice),” Michael Kamen, 2001, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/345510602634888996/, http://www.vvaw.org/veteran/article/?id=1882, http://www.vvaw.org/veteran/article/?id=112, http://www.viewsandthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/kerry-throwing-medals-1.jpg, http://media2.s-nbcnews.com/j/msnbc/components/slideshows/_production/ss-100429-vietnam/ss-100429-vietnam-24.nbcnews-ux-1024-900.jpg, http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/group-of-veterans-of-the-war-in-vietnam-protest-the-ongoing-conflict-picture-id515047862, Operation Dewey Canyon III – http://www.vvaw.org/veteran/article/?id=1656, Vietnam Veterans Against the War (Wikipedia) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_Veterans_Against_the_War, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P1zXcQ3ZGw, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkJ2aIRQl-I, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7jhs-bGyFQ, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcOTZeZ3_40, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Emg-a_qTFQ0, http://www.vvaw.org/veteran/article/?id=1656, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_Veterans_Against_the_War. The Boston Globe and other newspapers reported that Kerry was among these veterans. DCIII was highlighted by over 1,000 veterans throwing away their war medals at the Capitol steps in anger over the continuing war. Or have served less than six months but was wounded, captured, and escaped enemy forces, or was killed in action. When worn or displayed their order of precedence is immediately after the lowest authorized U.S. award. ODN. The most symbolic of these strategies occurred on the last day when Veterans went to the U.S. Capitol to hand over their awards and medals to Congress. Kerry was asked if he gave back the Bronze Star, Silver Star and three Purple Hearts he was awarded for combat duty as a Navy lieutenant in Vietnam. veterans to throw medals away A group of Iraq war veterans have pledged to toss their medals over the security fence surrounding the summit site in a symbolic protest. April 26, 2004 -- Contradicting his statements as a candidate for president, Sen. John Kerry claimed in a 1971 television interview that he threw away as many as nine of his combat medals to protest the war in Vietnam. ", But Kerry told a much different story on Viewpoints. To recognize their service and specific honorable actions in particular, several Vietnam War medals and ribbons were designed by both U.S. and foreign governments. He reportedly invited a union official home to personally inspect his Silver Star, Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts, awarded for his combat duty as a Navy lieutenant. Many vocal groups began to form in opposition to the war and massive demonstrations were common across the country.In April 1971, thousands of Vietnam Veterans from a newly formed organization called Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) met in Washington, D.C. calling for an end to the war in Vietnam. Throughout his presidential campaign, Kerry has denied that he threw away any of his medals during an anti-war protest in April 1971. He said nothing about ribbons -- mentioning only "medals" in that 1971 interview. After 9 months, Congress reaches COVID-19 compromise deal, Cross-country Christmas storm likely to have severe impact on East Coast, Congress seals agreement on COVID relief, government funding, Fired attorney Sidney Powell advising Trump to chart a scorched-earth course. What happened to them? Claim: John Kerry’s Vietnam War service medals (a Bronze Star, a Silver Star and three Purple Hearts) were earned under “fishy” circumstances. Many veterans were seen throwing their medals and ribbons over the fence in front of the U.S. Capitol. Iraq war Veteran throws throws his medals and stars, and explains why. "I never ever implied that I did it, " Kerry told the newspaper, responding to the question of whether he threw away his medals in protest. Veterans throw away their war medals in disgust at British air strikes in Syria. The government had lost the respect of the veterans because they refused to listen to them and continued to put resources towards an unjust war. "We threw away the symbols of what our country gave us for what we had gone through," he said. The disputed incident happened 33 years ago this past weekend, on April 23, 1971, when Kerry led the group Vietnam Veterans Against the War in a protest against the war they fought. –This medal is intended to honor the service of ALL Veterans of the Vietnam war, whether you served in Vietnam or in direct support of Vietnam. This morning vets lined up outside Capitol at about 11 a.m., waiting in a long line for their turn to throw away what they angrily termed their "worthless" and "bullshit" medals. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices. This symbolic act by the veterans is one of the strongest acts of protest in American history. By throwing away their awards, the Vietnam Veterans were actively defying the government. MENU ... a total of 58,280 veterans died from combat injuries or illnesses brought on by their Vietnam tours.SGT. "I gave back, I can't remember, six, seven, eight, nine medals," Kerry said in an interview on a Washington, D.C., news program on WRC-TV called Viewpoints on Nov. 6, 1971, according to a tape obtained by ABCNEWS. Asked about the anti-war veterans who threw their medals away, Kerry said "they decided to give them back to their country.". Veterans throw away their war medals in disgust at British air strikes in Syria. One veteran threw away his nine Purple Hearts. Many different protest strategies were used including but not limited to: singing, guerrilla theater, occupation of monuments and offices, aggressive lobbying with officials, and camping on federal grounds. Medals of America offers a wide range of veteran merchandise such … President Barack Obama on Monday will bestow the Medal of Honor on a pair of soldiers for their acts of bravery in the Vietnam War. On Friday, April 23, more than 800 veterans individually tossed their medals, ribbons, discharge papers, and other war mementos on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, rejecting the Vietnam War and the significance of those awards. The following video shows real footage from the event and commentary: By 1971, the perception of the Vietnam War was starting to become an extremely divisive topic in the eyes of the American people. Kerry acknowledged the medals he threw away were, in fact, another soldier's medals. Status: False. I always was proud of them," he told Jennings in December, adding that he had only thrown away his "ribbons" and the medals of two other veterans who could not attend the protest. In other words, the government didn’t deserve respect. Hundreds of veterans threw their medals and other military commendations over the fence and in doing so rejected any characterisation of their service as valorous or patriotic. "I was proud of my personal service and remain so," he told the National Journal. Watching the Chicago anti-NATO protest live was a very moving experience. April 30, 1970: Nixon’s speech on Cambodia. ... "Apparently it was quite common for soldiers to throw their medals away at the time … Then they would turn around and throw awards, medals, ribbons, commendations and many other materials from the war over the fence at the foot of the statue. By throwing away their awards, the Vietnam Veterans were actively defying the government. In fact, the very action of criticizing the government is a very democratic principle that really is only able to happen because of democracy. Throwing away these medals issued by their government showed that they rejected their government and demanded change, adding also a threat of escalation if need be. And in 1988, Kerry again clarified his statement by saying he threw out ribbons he had been awarded for three combat wounds, but not his medals. "Well, and above that, [I] gave back the others," he said. (CNSNews.com) - Did John F. Kerry throw away his Vietnam War medals or didn't he? The event was called Operation Dewey Canyon III by the veterans, named after a series of small scale incursions into Laos and Cambodia by the same name. And in an interview with ABCNEWS' Peter Jennings last December, he said it was a "myth. During the Vietnam war protests over 800 Veterans threw their medals away at the Capitol building. Many medals were awarded to soldiers, Marines, sailors, and airmen posthumously and were delivered to their … WASHINGTON ON THE WAY to the fence where he threw some of his military decorations 33 years ago, I was 4 or 5 feet behind John Kerry.. As he neared the spot from which members of Vietnam Veterans Against the War were parting with a few of the trappings of their difficult past to help them face their future more squarely, I watched Kerry reach with his right hand into the breast pocket … Another threw over the fence a can he used as a result of a war injury. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. And on and on it went. The statue outside of the US Capitol building where all the awards and medals were thrown by the veterans. The true problem here wasn’t communism. Medals of America’s mission is to enable every Veteran and Service member to represent their service and display the medals our nation has awarded them through collectible and memorabilia items. Presumed Democratic Presidential nominee John Kerry said in an interview more than 30 years ago that he threw away some of his Vietnam combat medals – … 2:03. Originally designed to ferry oil workers to ocean rigs, swift boats offered flimsy protection. The disputed incident happened 33 years ago this past weekend, on April 23, 1971, when Kerry led the group Vietnam Veterans Against the War in a protest against the war they fought. The idea that they were traitors is not valid because they had served their country and were merely exercising their right as citizens to criticize the government. Veterans throw away medals over Syria plans. If they’re unable to do so, they may construct an ad hoc memorial or toss the medals toward the convention center — like some 900 Vietnam veterans did in 1971 on Capitol Hill in an anti-war protest dubbed “Operation Dewey Canyon III.” (Editor: Somewhat ironically, Senator John Kerry, was a leader of that Vietnam vets’ protest. Matt Howard, 29, who served in the Marines from 2001 to 2006, said the rate of … This entire five day demonstration was perhaps the single most powerful anti-war demonstration in the US, firmly establishing VVAW as one of the leading forces in the … The statement directly contradicts Kerry's most recent claims on the disputed subject to the Los Angeles Times last Friday. "I'm proud of my medals. Imagine giving up the only token you had to show for fighting in a war with no meaning and no just cause. Part of the protest included veterans throwing their medals away, including Scott Olsen. Get the best deals on Vietnam Veterans Medal when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. May 4, 1970: Kent State shooting. Watching the Chicago anti-NATO protest live was a very moving experience. What happened to them? Several hearings in Congress were held that week regarding atrocities committed in Vietnam and the U.S. media's inaccurate coverage of the war. For the Veteran: in general, the military services will work replacement medal requests for the veteran at no cost. April 29, 1970: Cambodian incursion begins. April 23, 1971: Hundreds of Vietnam veterans throw away their medals at the United States Capitol. Served outside Vietnam and still gave combat support for six months. The veterans loved their country, but not their government. A patriot is someone who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it from enemies. It is very simple.". This includes family members with the signed authorization of the veteran. The disputed incident happened 33 years ago this past weekend, on April 23, 1971, when Kerry led the group Vietnam Veterans Against the War in a protest against the war they fought. This strong statement was basically calling for revolution if necessary. ... Veterans Throw Medals - Chicago NATO. Jiinyahe. Eight Vietnam veterans to receive Medals of Honor. 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