Records Counter a Critic of Kerry

Washington Post ^ | 8/19/04 | Michael Dobbs

[Callahan]

Newly obtained military records of one of Sen. John F. Kerry's most vocal critics, who has accused the Democratic presidential candidate of lying about his wartime record to win medals, contradict his own version of events.

In newspaper interviews and a best-selling book, Larry Thurlow, who commanded a Navy Swift boat alongside Kerry in Vietnam, has strongly disputed Kerry's claim that the Massachusetts Democrat's boat came under fire during a mission in Viet Cong-controlled territory on March 13, 1969. Kerry won a Bronze Star for his actions that day.

But Thurlow's military records, portions of which were released yesterday to The Washington Post under the Freedom of Information Act, contain several references to "enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire" directed at "all units" of the five-boat flotilla. Thurlow won his own Bronze Star that day, and the citation praises him for providing assistance to a damaged Swift boat "despite enemy bullets flying about him."

[OkiMusashi]

That's what hangs me up. Like, how wide is this river anyway?

[freespirited]

"The Bronze Star recommendations for both Kerry and Thurlow were signed by Lt. Cmdr. George M. Elliott, who received reports on the incident from his base in the Gulf of Thailand."

You don't suppose Elliott wrote what he did based on what Kerry told him? If that is what happened, as far as this story is concerned, there is no there there.

[DaveMSmith]

Here's a secret - the magic hat is tin foil...

[rolling_stone]

i think Droz(kerrys best/only friend in nam) was skipper of PCF 43 and 43 was on the 3/13 mission, would not surprise me if he wrote up Kerry and Thurlow..putting same language in both reports..also going to Kerry's site command history chronology of highlights, i see no report between 3/8 and 3/13..

[DaveMSmith]

Lt. Cmdr. George M. Elliott is listed in Unfit for Command as one of us.

[Steven W.]

Does the scenario in these citations make any sense at all?

Only in the warped delusional state of mind which is Hanoi John French Kerry!

[cake_crumb]

According to the article, Elliot supports the SBVfT, but has been unavailable for interviews "since he gave conflicting accounts to the Globe." That's a paraphrase because I closed the article.

The article resolves nothing and supports the swift boat vets' accounts in key points - while hiding it in a cloud of obfuscation. What we need to concentrate on is not allowing the mass media spin on this or any other swift boat vets allegations interfere with the FACTS about Kerry's actions. And interferance is exactly what they're running here. We don't need spin. We need KERRY'S records, KERRY'S records to prove whether the allegations are true or not.

I need to go to bed.

[dano1]

That's what hangs me up. Like, how wide is this river anyway?

Right, it seems like after hitting the mine and with someone in the water they would have been sitting ducks.

[t2buckeye]

How can they get the Swiftees records by FOIA, and not Kerry's?

[adam_az]

"A mine hits one boat, the flotilla is fired upon, KERRY RUNS, then the firs stops, KERRY RETURNS and fishes the guy out of water, who fell in, precisely, because Kerry was running away so fast."

Don't forget that Rassman was eating a cookie at the time. Do SF guys usually eat cookies in a firefight?

[Bogey78O]

What do you benefit by having Bush elected? It's not about benefit. The press is left leaning. They love Democrats. As a result they intentionally and unintentionally tout the Democratic viewpoint.

[MistyCA]

Well, welcome home and thank God you didn't get your butt blown off just to get a medal! :)

[Steven W.]

You don't suppose Elliott wrote what he did based on what Kerry told him? If that is what happened, as far as this story is concerned, there is no there there.

That is exactly what Elliot says! He was presented the report by Kerry and he made the mistake of believing him. Nobody realized until years later what had happened! That's (one of many reasons) why the SwiftVets are so ticked! and it is the same reason why Thurlow didn't know Kerry had done this and why he - of all people - feels shame over the receipt of that medal because of its taint by Kerry.

[adam_az]

Snopes sucks.

I've emailed them primary source corrections before, they don't care.

Same as with that Factcheck site.

Take them all w/ a grain of salt.

[CedarDave]

My fullest respect to you but I tend to think you didn't have the political clout that Kerry had. He had, even at that age, enough clout to make the strongest ring knocker blush. This is why I am convinced that Kerry wrote up his own medals and had no problem getting them approved.

I don't think any of the men that I served with were focused on medals. We all volunteered, for various reasons no doubt, some for patriotism, some for adventure, others looking at future military advancement. But I doubt that one of us thought and fantasized at using this to aid in a future political campaign. Kerry apparently had this as a goal from the beginning, and it shows how self-centered, arrogant and calculating a person he really is.

[dano1]

"The Bronze Star recommendations for both Kerry and Thurlow were signed by Lt. Cmdr. George M. Elliott, who received reports on the incident from his base in the Gulf of Thailand."

It would be interesting to compare the language of each citation to see if they were the same, or if they seemed to be written independently.

[MistyCA]

Unfortunately in order to get out all the information that pertains to Kerry, we will have to watch the scorched earth policy of the dems take down some good men. What a crock!

[DaveMSmith]

Kerry's AAR reported 5,000 meters (2 1/2 miles) of heavy fire. No mention how wide the river was LOL

[MJY1288]

I believe these facts will come out, as much as the media is willing to run cover for their pals on the left, we have 60 decorated Vets who are not going away without a fight. They know they have the truth on their side and 35 years later they are serving their country once again and righting the wrong that John Kerry has done to all of them.

As John O'Neil said the other night on Scarborough Country....... "The Jig is up!"

[MJY1288]

LOL, When I read the 2 1/2 miles of Fire claim I had to laugh.... What does that say?

So John Kerry ran away for 2 1/2 miles before he returned and faced this heavy fire for 2 1/2 miles before reaching Rassman?