| Bob Kerrey |
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Joseph Robert "Bob" Kerrey (born August 27 , 1943 ) was the Democratic Governor Of Nebraska from 1983 to 1987 , and a U.S. Senator from Nebraska ( 1989 – 2001 ). He was also an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1992. Since leaving the Senate he has served as president of The New School , a university in New York City . BIOGRAPHY Education and military service Kerrey was born in Lincoln, Nebraska , attended Lincoln Northeast High School , and went on to graduate from the University Of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1966 with a degree in Pharmacy . During his senior year at Nebraska, he was a member of the Society Of Innocents , the chancellor's senior honorary. He served in the United States Navy SEAL s Special Operations Forces unit from 1966 to 1969 during the Vietnam War , lost the lower part of one leg in combat, and received the Medal Of Honor . Medal of Honor citation His Medal Of Honor citation reads: : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a SEAL team leader during action against enemy aggressor ( Viet Cong ) forces. Acting in response to reliable intelligence, Lt. (j.g.) Kerrey led his SEAL team on a mission to capture important members of the enemy's area political cadre known to be located on an island in the bay of Nha Trang . In order to surprise the enemy, he and his team scaled a 350-foot sheer cliff to place themselves above the ledge on which the enemy was located. Splitting his team in 2 elements and coordinating both, Lt. (jg.) Kerrey led his men in the treacherous downward descent to the enemy's camp. Just as they neared the end of their descent, intense enemy fire was directed at them, and Lt. (jg.) Kerrey received massive injuries from a Grenade that exploded at his feet and threw him backward onto the jagged rocks. Although bleeding profusely and suffering great pain, he displayed outstanding courage and presence of mind in immediately directing his element's fire into the heart of the enemy camp. Utilizing his radio, Lt. (jg.) Kerrey called in the second element's fire support, which caught the confused Viet Cong in a devastating crossfire. After successfully suppressing the enemy's fire, and although immobilized by his multiple wounds, he continued to maintain calm, superlative control as he ordered his team to secure and defend an extraction site. Lt. (jg.) Kerrey resolutely directed his men, despite his near unconscious state, until he was eventually evacuated by Helicopter . The havoc brought to the enemy by this very successful mission cannot be over-estimated. The enemy soldiers who were captured provided critical intelligence to the allied effort. Lt. (jg.) Kerrey's courageous and inspiring Leadership , valiant fighting spirit, and tenacious devotion to duty in the face of almost overwhelming opposition sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service . Thanh Phong Massacre In 2001, the '' New York Times Magazine '' and '' 60 Minutes II '' carried reports on an incident that occurred during Kerrey's Vietnam War service. On February 25 , 1969 , he led a Swift Boat raid on the isolated peasant village of Thanh Phong, Vietnam , targeting a Viet Cong leader that intelligence suggested would be present. The village was considered part of a Free Fire Zone by the U.S. military. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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