Bruce Cotta |
| Date:
Wed, 23 Jul 2003 11:06:32 EDT From: BCotta3204@aol.com This e-mail is being sent not to justify my actions, for they are not justifiable, but to let you know the story before it is released in the press. I’ve tried not to run from anything, not in Nam, not in life, but face challenges as they come, and I will face this one head on no matter the consequences. Three years ago I made a mistake that has bothered me since I sealed the envelope. After the third turndown for the Medal of Honor and after listening to the disappointing phone calls from the men who wrote me up for the medal, I was involved with the unauthorized medal package. I can’t go into the particulars but it was very wrong of me to do so. For the past two months and since the initial publicity about the unauthorized medal, I have been in contact with the authorities. I immediately told them the truth. It was difficult handling my situation considering my war record. The authorities even apologized for the bad press saying it wasn’t their doing. I could not tell anyone including Janet, my wife, while they decided how best to handle the situation. To those of you who asked me constantly if I were all right, if you could help, I’m sorry I had to avert the truth. It’s not like me to do that. I’m thankful to God they decided not to pursue the situation, after reading my war record and never, ever being in any trouble. Wearing unauthorized decorations is technically a misdemeanor, punishable by a healthy fine and a suspended sentence. The Authorities will allow me to donate monies to a veteran’s cause of my choice and do additional community service. For this I am eternally grateful. You all have been my friends for quite a while and know it’s not
like me to do anything like this. It is an aberration, something I’ve
never done before in my life. I only ask you to forgive me, let me
continue to be your friend, and keep our relationship. Everyone
screws-up, I just picked a screw-up that will live with me until I die.
|
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=533&ncid=533&e=8&u=/ap/20030723/ap_on_re_us/suspicious_medal 07/23/2003 U.S. National - AP War Vet Admits Illegally Obtaining Honor 2 hours, 29 minutes ago Add U.S. National - AP to My Yahoo! By ELIZABETH ZUCKERMAN, Associated Press Writer PROVIDENCE, R.I. - A decorated Vietnam veteran admitted Wednesday that he illegally obtained his highest honor by buying a Distinguished Service Cross on the Internet Bruce Cotta, 56, agreed to perform 100 hours of community service and contribute $5,000 to the Army Emergency Relief Fund to avoid prosecution, U.S. Attorney Margaret Curran said. In a statement, Cotta said: "While I admit that my actions were inexcusable, I hope that they will not cast a shadow on the heroic actions of other Vietnam veterans whose young lives were forever changed by this gruesome and controversial war.".... |
| http://www.turnto10.com/news/2218907/detail.html
Kennedy Responds To Questions About Veteran's Medal Congressman
Presented Service Cross To Newport Man UPDATED: 12:17 p.m. EDT May 21, 2003 Bruce Cotta, of Newport, is considered Rhode Island's most decorated
living Vietnam veteran. And while the Army says Bologna: The Army says you never received the Distinguished Service Cross. Cotta: Hmm. Bologna: Are they wrong? Cotta: Well, I got it. Cotta (pictured, left) said he received the medal from Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I. The Distinguished Service Cross has earned Cotta a lot of recognition. One Web site features a picture of the congressman pinning the medal on Cotta in August 2000.....
Copyright 2003 by turnto10.com. All rights reserved. A heroic Vietnam vet's last medal raises questions By Glen Johnson, Globe Staff, 5/29/2003 WASHINGTON -- Bruce F. Cotta cuts a dashing figure in the close confines of Rhode Island. Newspapers call him the most decorated living Vietnam veteran in the state, and he has been invited to talk about his experiences at both the US Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and the US Naval War College in Newport, R.I. The Post Office in Middletown, R.I., is named in his honor, and Cotta is known throughout the area as the owner of Prudential Prime Property Management. There is no doubt that much of Cotta's fame stems from actions he took on May 19, 1968, while the Lowell, Mass., native was a US Army medic in an area of South Vietnam known as the Hobo Woods. Despite being wounded in an ambush that pitted a platoon of 16 against hundreds of North Vietnamese soldiers, Cotta threw away a hand grenade that landed in the ranks, and he had another one bounce off his head before it exploded and sprayed him with shrapnel. Still, his fellow soldiers recall, Cotta treated injured members of his platoon and then went for reinforcements......
|