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]

[Dog]

KC....what date was he wounded on his first purple heart?

[Nickname]

From the Baltimore Sun:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/elections/bal-te.kerry21apr21,0,1896116.story?coll=bal-election-headlines

The documents also included declassified reports that briefly explain the injuries that led to Kerry's Purple Heart awards. They show Kerry had shrapnel wounds in his left thigh after his boat came under intense fire on Feb. 20, 1969, and he suffered shrapnel wounds in his left buttock and contusions on his right forearm when a mine detonated close to his boat on March 13, 1969.

The campaign could not locate a similar report for Kerry's original Purple Heart. As evidence that Kerry was wounded, Meehan showed the Associated Press a "Sick Call Treatment Record" from Kerry's personal files that included a brief written note dated Dec. 3, 1968, and stamped from the naval support facility at Cam Ranh Bay.

"Shrapnel in left arm above elbow. Shrapnel removed and appl bacitracin dressing. Ret to Duty," it said. The note is followed by a signature that appears to say "JCCarreon" and some illegible letters that Meehan said probably designate the medical official's rank.

-------

Seems they aren't quite sure. The bacitracin booboo maybe?

[The G Man]

Find the Yeoman.

The Yeoman knows all!

No, it's YAO!

"You take check?"

[calcowgirl]

Late January, 1969 – Kerry joined his 5 man crew on PCF-94

He has exact dates for every single item except this one.
What a fraud that man is.

[pt17]

I've heard outside sources flatly state that the powers that be at the Globe really don't like Kerry, and that in general he is not beloved in his home state.

It seems hard to tell whether (a) his support is real or (b) he's all the ABB (Anybody But Bush) crowd has got or (c) he is, as another poster suggested, a throwaway candidate while waiting for 2008 or (d) he's such an embarassing loser to anyone who looks close that they want to distance the party from him or (e) some nuanced combination of all the above.

[kcvl]

The campaign could not locate a similar report for Kerry's original Purple Heart. As evidence that Kerry was wounded, Meehan showed the Associated Press a "Sick Call Treatment Record" from Kerry's personal files that included a brief written note dated Dec. 3, 1968, and stamped from the naval support facility at Cam Ranh Bay.

[stocksthatgoup]

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."
repetez si vous plez

[mware]

You don't "win" medals, newbie. They're awarded. Now...........wanna talk about his Purple Hearts, smart guy?

I think he was referring to a quote from Terry the Terrible. Can be found on newsmax.com.

[mware]

Late January through Early March, 1969 – Starting in late January 1969, this crew completed 18 missions over an intense and dangerous 48 days, almost all of them in the dense jungles of the Mekong Delta. Kerry's crew included engineman Eugene Thorson, later an Iowa cement mason; David Alston, then the crew's only African-American and today a minister in South Carolina; petty officer Del Sandusky of Illinois; rear gunner and quartermaster Michael Medeiros of California; and the late Tom Belodeau, who joined the crew fresh out of Chelmsford High School in Massachusetts. Others rotated in and out of the crew. The most intense action came during an extraordinary eight days of more than 10 firefights, remembered by Kerry's crew as the "days of hell." >/I>

Notice that is the one set of dates that are not specific. What an SOB stealing another persons honor.

[kcvl]

A review by the Globe of Kerry's war record in preparation for a forthcoming book, "John F. Kerry: The Complete Biography," found that the young Navy officer acted heroically under fire, in one case saving the life of an Army lieutenant. But the examination also found that Kerry's commanding officer at the time questioned Kerry's first Purple Heart, which he earned for a wound received just two weeks after arriving in Vietnam.

"He had a little scratch on his forearm, and he was holding a piece of shrapnel," recalled Kerry's commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Grant Hibbard. "People in the office were saying, `I don't think we got any fire,' and there is a guy holding a little piece of shrapnel in his palm." Hibbard said he couldn't be certain whether Kerry actually came under fire on Dec. 2, 1968, the date in questionand that is why he said he asked Kerry questions about the matter.

But Kerry persisted and, to his own "chagrin," Hibbard said, he dropped the matter. "I do remember some questions, some correspondence about it," Hibbard said. "I finally said, `OK, if that's what happened . . . do whatever you want.' After that, I don't know what happened. Obviously, he got it, I don't know how."

Kerry declined to talk to the Globe about the issue during the preparation of the Kerry biography. But his press secretary, Michael Meehan, noted that the Navy concluded that Kerry deserved the Purple Heart.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I don't want to engage in false optimism, but . . .

The more I see of Kerry on the stump, the more I'm surprised, even shocked, at what a poor public speaker he is. I sincerely would have thought that such a career pol and well-educated guy would be much better. He is way below average.

He is also clearly unlikeable. I'm not saying that (politics aside) he is absolutey detestable, but he clearly lacks the common touch. Definitely not the kind of guy other guys would want to have a beer with. As for women, harder to say, but he certainly lacks Clinton's charm, oily or otherwise. Bush is so much more likeable it's not even close.

Finally, his campaign has been a surprising mess, with a series of mistakes, gaffes and controversies.

All in all, barring some major unforseeable developments, I can't see W losing. And if things continue on their current tracks, I don't think it will even be very close.

[kcvl]

at the base, Kerry told Hibbard he qualified for a Purple Heart, according to Hibbard. Thirty-six years later, Hibbard, reached at his retirement home in Florida, said he can still recall Kerry's wound

The Globe asked Kerry's campaign whether the Massachusetts senator is certain he was under enemy fire and whether he recalled that a superior officer raised questions about the matter. The campaign did not respond directly to those questions. Instead, Meehan said in a prepared statement that Kerry "received the shrapnel wound early in the course of that combat engagement. " Meehan also provided a copy of a medical report showing treatment for a wound on Dec. 3, 1968. The Purple Heart regulation in effect at that time said that a wound must "require treatment by a medical officer."

Nearly three months later, a document was sent to Kerry informing him that he would receive a Purple Heart "for injuries received on 2 December 1968." The Naval Historical Center, which could not locate a copy of the original card for the incident, nonetheless confirmed that Kerry did receive the Purple Heart.

[calcowgirl]

...from Kerry's personal files that included a brief written note dated Dec. 3, 1968...

I looked through some of the files from his site Wednesday night. One of the documents said the injury was on on December 2, 1968, not December 3. I don't remember which document it was. I guess he didn't need immediate care for that paper cut.

[auboy]

Welcome boys and girls. It's good to have you visit Mr. Kerry's neighbor. Today's word is embellish. Can you say embellish? I knew you could.

And here's a scale model of my Navy swift boat No. 94. I was the commander of No. 94. Numero uno. I was severely wounded on Jan. 29, 1969 while leading an attack on the enemy.

And here's one of the many scars from the severe wounds I suffered. Can you say scar? I knew you could.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow when we'll learn another new word, and look at my scale model of the Eiffel Tower.

Bye, bye!

[Mo1]

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

Oh my ... Lt. Kerry has some explaining to do

Hey Chad .. weren't you wondering about the time line last night??

[stocksthatgoup]

bttt

[ken5050]

This is what, the 3rd or 4th article from the Globe today that can easily be described as "not a good thing" for Kerry....wassup with the Globe?..they find their cojones. Snd yesterday's editorial in the NY Times calling for the tax returns ro be released...well, case closed..

[DeaconRed]

bump

[Mo1]

wassup with the Globe?..they find their cojones. Snd yesterday's editorial in the NY Times calling for the tax returns ro be released...well, case closed..

Hellary released the dogs, just like she took out Dean and Gore?

drip .. drip .. drip

[stocksthatgoup]

bttt