Not to belabor the point, but Oliver Stone was awarded a Bronze Star in Vietnam. I don't necessarily agree with his movies or political views, but he's a genuine, bonafide grunt. Check it out:
[url]http://www.oscarworld.net/ostone/default.asp?PageId=4[/url]
DETAILS ABOUT STONE'S VIETNAM EXPERIENCE:
Stone enlisted in the U.S. Army in April of 1967
He took basic and advanced infantry training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina
He landed in Vietnam on September 16, 1967
He was assigned to the 2nd Platoon of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th infantry, stationed near the Cambodian border
He was part of the battle at Firebase Burt on the evening of January 1, 1968
Having been wounded twice, Stone was transferred out of the field to an MP Auxiliary Battalion whose main function was guarding the installation in Saigon shortly after the Tet Offensive in January of 1968
He was transferred to 1st Cavalry and assigned to a Long Range Reconnaissance Platoon in April of 1968 (incidentally, Stone met Juan Angel Elias there, the basis for the Elias character in Platoon)
Stone was awarded the Bronze Star for combat gallantry
He was eventually transferred to a motorized infantry 1st Cav unit, driving jeeps, APCS, and lots of helicopter work
Stone completed his tour of duty and was discharged in late November 1968 ... after his 15 months of service, he was awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Stone arrived back in the States at the Army release station in Fort Lewis, Washington