Eat Your Heart Out, John Kerry

The question of John Kerry's war record is back in the news.
We do not question that he is indeed a hero - to the enemy.

We therefore offer a glimpse at the record of a genuine AMERICAN hero:


For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944 in France. After 2 verbal requests to accompany the leading assault elements in the Normandy invasion had been denied, Brig. Gen. Roosevelt's written request for this mission was approved and he landed with the first wave of the forces assaulting the enemy-held beaches. He repeatedly led groups from the beach, over the seawall and established them inland. His valor, courage, and presence in the very front of the attack and his complete unconcern at being under heavy fire inspired the troops to heights of enthusiasm and self-sacrifice. Although the enemy had the beach under constant direct fire, Brig. Gen. Roosevelt moved from one locality to another, rallying men around him, directed and personally led them against the enemy. Under his seasoned, precise, calm, and unfaltering leadership, assault troops reduced beach strong points and rapidly moved inland with minimum casualties. He thus contributed substantially to the successful establishment of the beachhead in France.

---Medal of Honor citation (posthumous) of Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.

A few additional facts to illuminate Gen. Roosevelt's accomplishments:

He was the son of President Roosevelt, well off and getting on in years. He could easily have stayed home and let others fight for him. Given his age, no one would have faulted him. Instead he volunteered, was the highest ranking officer in the first wave of the invasion and was the first soldier off his landing craft.

Discovering that the ocean currents had carried his force a mile off course, he improvised brilliantly and made a material contribution to the success of the invasion. On the beach he played every possible role, from commander to inspiration to traffic cop.

His bad heart killed him a month later. He is buried in Normandy, beside his brother Kermit, who was killed in WWI.

Now then, let's imagine Hillary Clinton, Harry Reid, John Kerry, John Edwards, George W or any of our other make-believe leaders performing any one of these acts, let alone all of them.