Discrepancies noted in Kerry's record, Ex-skipper says website wrong

The Boston Globe ^ | 4-23-04 | By Michael Kranish, Globe Staff

[Oldeconomybuyer]

WASHINGTON -- Vietnam combat records posted on John F. Kerry's campaign website for the month of January 1969 as evidence of his service aboard swift boat No. 94 describe action that occurred before Kerry was skipper of that craft, according to the officer who said he commanded the boat at the time.

On the site, the Massachusetts senator is described as the skipper of Navy boat No. 94 during several actions in late January 1969.

However, Edward Peck, who was the skipper of the 94 before Kerry took over, said combat reports posted by the campaign for January 1969 involve action when he was the skipper, not Kerry. Peck, who was seriously wounded in fighting that took place on Jan. 29, 1969, said he believes Kerry campaign aides made a mistake in claiming Kerry as skipper of the 94 at that time.

On the Kerry website, the report of the combat on that day on the 94 boat is posted as occurring during Kerry's time as skipper of the boat. Peck said Kerry replaced him after the Jan. 29, 1969, event.

"Those are definitely mine," Peck said, referring to the combat reports that the Kerry campaign posted as representing Kerry's action. "There is no doubt about it."

[snip]

[boxerblues]

This reporter has got to be reading FR lol

[MEG33]

Oops..Never pad your part,Kerry!

[freeplancer]

Good stuff. Let's see if Gigolo-Johnny flops on this.

[boxerblues]

Johnboy has done more than pad his record, the whole things looks suspect.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1122563/posts

[Dog Anchor]

MCAULIFFE: We can debate about when he put them up. They're up, go look at them and do whatever you want. He won five medals, which is five more than George Bush won. You can go up, look at it for yourself and have a field day.

[kcvl]

A Kerry campaign spokesman, Michael Meehan, said in an e-mail that the campaign had obtained the combat reports for the 94 from the Navy. He did not directly address the question of why the campaign describes Kerry being skipper of the 94 at a time when Peck says he commanded the boat.

The reports at issue are in a 20-page batch representing Kerry's combat in January 1969. The reports include references to some dramatic action, including an ambush of Patrol Craft Fast, or PCF, 94. In addition to posting the information online, the campaign sent out an e-mail yesterday afternoon repeating the claim that Kerry was the skipper of the 94 boat throughout January and describing action the campaign said Kerry experienced while commanding the craft.

For example, in a summary of action that occurred Jan. 26, 1969, the campaign says Kerry served on boat No. 94 alongside another boat, No. 66. "PCFs 94 and 66 escorted troops up the Ong Doc River early in the morning when they were ambushed by gun and rocket fire from approximately 40 men on both sides of the river," the campaign summary says. "Two B-40 rounds hit close to Kerry's boat, while PCF 66 received 2 B-40 rocket hits. Three men on PCF66 were wounded. A junk containing South Vietnamese troops was also sunk, killing 11 South Vietnamese troops. Intelligence reports after the mission indicated that the Viet Cong troops may have planned the ambush in advance."

[Dog]

On the Kerry website, the report of the combat on that day on the 94 boat is posted as occurring during Kerry's time as skipper of the boat. Peck said Kerry replaced him after the Jan. 29, 1969, event.

"Those are definitely mine," Peck said, referring to the combat reports that the Kerry campaign posted as representing Kerry's action. "There is no doubt about it."

[7thson]

What McAuliffe and the rest of the dems fail to consider is that President Bush nor anyone connected with him never made a fuss about his NG service. President Bush never bragged about his service or try to make himself out to be something he is not. He did what 99 percent of us do in the service - do our time and get out. If we happen to collect any awards or ribbons, for the most part it is because we were there at the right place at the right time. Kerry, on the other hand, makes it a point to mention his service wherever he goes. Just saw a post this morning where he compared the Mississippi coastline down in Louisanna to Viet Nam. Kerry is the one that brought up his medals and service. Now, when questioned on the validity of same, he and his supporters blusters and object. Hell, was it not a left-wing publication that went after Adm. Borda concerning some measily ribbon of his? What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

[Just mythoughts]

I figured there would be at least two pages describing how he saved that 1 Republican that joined him on stage in Iowa.

[kcvl]

Kerry's commanding officer, George Elliott, said in a telephone interview that he vividly recalls Peck's injury and hospitalization and Kerry's replacement of Peck. "I think somebody made a mistake who doesn't know" the timing of Kerry's service, Elliott said. Kerry was skipper of boat No. 44 in December and January before taking over command of the 94, he said.

[Dog]

The reports at issue are in a 20-page batch representing Kerry's combat in January 1969. The reports include references to some dramatic action, including an ambush of Patrol Craft Fast, or PCF, 94. In addition to posting the information online, the campaign sent out an e-mail yesterday afternoon repeating the claim that Kerry was the skipper of the 94 boat throughout January and describing action the campaign said Kerry experienced while commanding the craft.

For example, in a summary of action that occurred Jan. 26, 1969, the campaign says Kerry served on boat No. 94 alongside another boat, No. 66. "PCFs 94 and 66 escorted troops up the Ong Doc River early in the morning when they were ambushed by gun and rocket fire from approximately 40 men on both sides of the river," the campaign summary says. "Two B-40 rounds hit close to Kerry's boat, while PCF 66 received 2 B-40 rocket hits. Three men on PCF66 were wounded. A junk containing South Vietnamese troops was also sunk, killing 11 South Vietnamese troops. Intelligence reports after the mission indicated that the Viet Cong troops may have planned the ambush in advance."

Note the date......January 26. one problem with that date....Kerry did not take over the boat until after January 29.

He wasn't in this battle.....:-)

[battlegearboat]

Find the Yeoman.

The Yeoman knows all!

[Dog]

fyi..

[guitfiddlist]

This SHOULD be the final pick-axe blow that breaks the damn on this war hero sham - from the Globe, no less.

[MEG33]

This is just really an embarrassment for Kerry.He better get that stuff off his site quick or he'll be even more discredited than he is already.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

In the case of the Boston Globe and John Kerry, familiarity definitely breeds contempt. They are political soul mates, of course, and one might expect the newspaper would be among his biggest boosters. But it's clear they really don't like the guy. This is just one in a series of unflattering stories the Globe has run about Kerry.

I have no doubt that when the rubber meets the road they'll endorse him. But along the way they're taking some good shots at Mr. Heinz-Kerry ("OK, Johnny, here are the keys to the Suburban, but don't forget to put some gas in it!)

[cajungirl]

amazing. I think John has a mental problem.

[turbocat]

Is there a way tos ave this stuff so this version does not disappear forever?

[dalebert]

Did he claim an injury for that day?