FindLaw News: Election Law Coverage 2004: Documents

DOCUMENTS

Many of these documents are in PDF format and can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Military Service Records of President George W. Bush
Records of the President's military service in the Texas Air National Guard and other assignments during the years 1968 to 1973.

Military Records of First Lieutenant George W. Bush for National Guard Service Between 1972 and 1973:

Please note: The following four documents were originally obtained by CBS News and sent to FindLaw by the White House on September 8, 2004. However, CBS News issued a statement Monday, September 20, 2004, stating in part that the network "cannot prove the authenticity of documents used in a 60 Minutes story about President Bush's National Guard service and . . . airing the story was a 'mistake' that CBS regretted."

Aug. 1, 1972 Memo ordering Bush's suspension from the Texas Air National Guard's 111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.
May 4, 1972 Memo ordering Bush to report for his annual physical examination with the Texas Air National Guard by no later than May 14, 1972.
May 19, 1972 Memo to the file from Bush's commanding officer about a telephone call from Bush asking about how he "can get out of coming to drill," and suspecting that "he's...been talking to someone upstairs."
Aug. 18, 1973 ‘CYA’ Memo from Lt. Col. Killian suggesting that his superior officer, Col. Walter B. Staudt, was "pushing to sugar coat" Bush's officer evaluation.

Jan. 6, 1973 USAF Dental Exam Record for 1st Lt. George W. Bush (HTML) [PDF version] Released by White House on Feb. 11, 2004
Memorandum of Lt. Col. Albert C. Lloyd, Jr. (Ret.) (HTML) [PDF version] (Analysis of Military Payroll Records for George W. Bush for service from 1972 to 1973) Released by White House on Feb. 10, 2004
USAF Reserve Personnel Record Card for 1st Lt. George W. Bush (HTML) [PDF version] (Covers period from 27 May 1972 to 26 May 1973) Released by White House on Feb. 10, 2004
ARF 1st Statement of Points Earned by 1st Lt. George W. Bush (1972-1973) (HTML) [PDF version] Released by White House on Feb. 10, 2004
ARF 2nd Statement of Points Earned by 1st Lt. George W. Bush (1973) (HTML) [PDF version] Released by White House on Feb. 10, 2004
Military Payroll Records of 1st Lt. George W. Bush (1972-1973) (HTML) [PDF version] Released by White House on Feb. 10, 2004

Military Service Records of Senator John F. Kerry
Records of Senator Kerry's military service in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.

Military Records of Lieutenant (Junior Grade) John F. Kerry for U.S. Navy Military Service During The Vietnam War, 1968 - 1969 Note: Kerry was promoted to (Full) Lieutenant on Jan. 1, 1970 prior to requesting a discharge

Purple Heart Awards (3) (PDF) For wounds received in action on Dec. 2, 1968, Feb. 20, 1969, and Mar. 17, 1969
Silver Star (PDF) For displaying "courage under fire, outstanding leadership, and exemplary professionalism" while acting as the Officer in Charge of a Tactical Command on Feb. 28, 1969.
Bronze Star (PDF) For "professionalism, great personal courage under fire, and complete dedication to duty" in rescuing, while wounded, a man overboard following a mine explosion, directing his gunners to provide supporting fire for the rescue, and towing a damaged boat to safety under enemy fire on March 13, 1969
Acceptance of Discharge Naval Reserve (PDF) July 13, 1978
Background Information (PDF) Feb. 1, 1966
Bupers Orders to Gridley (PDF) Nov. 17, 1966
Change of Duty (PDF) July 8, 1968
DD214 (PDF)
Duty Recommendations (PDF)
Emergency Data (PDF) Sept. 12, 1967
Enlistment Contract (PDF) Feb. 18, 1966
Enlistment Photo (PDF) Dec. 16, 1966
Fitness Reports (PDF) Apr. 12, 1967
Honorable Discharge from Reserve (PDF) Feb. 16, 1978
Leave Record (PDF)
National Defense Service Medal (PDF)
Naval Messages (PDF) Dec. 8, 1969
Naval OCS Report (PDF)
Nuclear Weapons Training Certificate (PDF) For training from May 8 - 11, 1967
Office Order Memos (PDF) Dec. 5, 1969
Officer Candidate Agreement (PDF) Feb. 18, 1966
Order to Officer Candidate (PDF) July 14, 1966
Pay Entry Base Date (PDF) Listed as Feb. 18, 1966
Personnel Casualty Report (PDF)
Presidential Unit Citation (PDF) "For Extraordinary Herosim" from Dec. 6, 1968 to Mar. 31, 1969
Qualifying Questionnaire (PDF) Oct. 16, 1970
Recommendations for Next (PDF) Nov. 24, 1969
Record of Discharge (PDF)
Release From Active Duty (PDF) Jan. 2, 1970
Report of Home of Record (PDF) Dec. 1966
Request for History of Service (PDF) May 24, 1986
Request for Swiftboat Duty (PDF) Feb. 10, 1968
Research Sheet F4-15 (PDF) June 21, 1967
Reserve Office Appointment (PDF) Dec. 16, 1966
Security Clearances (PDF) Dec. 16, 1966
Service Record (PDF) Prepared Jan. 25, 1985
Serviceman's Life Insurance (PDF) Dec. 8-9, 1968
Statement of Service (PDF) June 21, 1967
Thrice Wounded Reassignment (PDF) March 17, 1969
Top Secret Clearance (PDF) April 28, 1969
Training School Record (PDF) Feb. 18, 1968
Transfer to Standby Reserve (PDF) March 1, 1972
Travel Payment Order (PDF) Undated
Vietnam Service Medal (PDF) April 8, 1968
(Source: John Kerry for President, Inc.).