(Washington, DC)  Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, this evening received a letter, via facsimile, from Rear Admiral R.A. Route, the Navy Inspector General (“IG”), concluding that the process by which Senator Kerry was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts in 1968 and 1969 was properly followed. 

Judicial Watch requested an investigation into Kerry’s awards and conduct by the Defense Department and the Navy in letters dated August 18 and September 8, 2004.

The letter by Rear Admiral Route is also available on the Internet by clicking here (Adobe Acrobat Reader required).

Admiral Route’s letter only discusses the Navy IG’s examination of process and procedure concerning Kerry’s awards.  The letter claims existing documentation regarding Kerry’s medals indicates the awards approval process was properly followed.  No specific documentary examples were cited or offered as exhibits.

The Navy IG stated that “Conducting any additional review regarding events that took place over thirty years ago would not be productive.”  Admiral Route also declined to investigate Kerry’s conduct as a commissioned officer in the Naval Reserve, including his meeting with officials of the North Vietnamese government and the Viet Cong.

“Admiral Route’s politicized letter raises more questions than it answers.  Kerry’s fellow and commanding officers have made credible, sworn allegations that call into question the legitimacy of John Kerry’s military service awards.  The Navy IG obviously is afraid of the political ramifications of a thorough investigation into a presidential candidate’s service record.  There is no statute of limitations, as the admiral seems to suggest, for fraudulent medals and questionable conduct.   We will appeal as appropriate this whitewash,” stated Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.