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."

[dc-zoo]

Do you think they don't have kerry's records? I bet they do.

[meatloaf]

Remember where you found that?

[dano1]

I'm all confused. Kerry got the Bronze Star for pulling someone out of the water. So what did Thurlow get the Bronze Star for? Did everyone who were there get a Bronze Star, or did Thurlow do something exceptional according to the citation?

[rolling_stone]

looking at awards at the Kerry site for 1969 neither Kerry or Thurlow is shown receiving a bronze star..alston got one and Droz got 2, the second posthumously..I wonder if Droz got his on 3/13....need to find out who wrote him up...

[GeronL]

You notice they are investigating the Vets and not Kerry.

Typical liberal media swine.

[DaveMSmith]

I'd bet you $100 they are on Rumsfeld's desk ready to hand over to JFK,

[adam_az]

"I have my suspicions on how this came to be myself. Someone here a couple of days ago was "focused" on Thurlow's Bronze Star. He was like a dog with a bone. My radar went up ."

Will the WAPO release a copy of the FOIA? My bet is there was none, the docs came straight from Kerry.

[dano1]

"Kerry's AAR reported 5,000 meters (2 1/2 miles) of heavy fire. "

Does that mean 2 1/2 miles along the river? How long would it take to for the flotilla to cover 2 1/2 miles? Why would Rassmann be sitting on the side of the boat eating a cookie? That's not very smart.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1188521/posts

[MJY1288]

Rumsfeld would not jeopardize his career on a scumbag like Kerry :-)

[NavySEAL F-16]

Will the WAPO release a copy of the FOIA? My bet is there was none, the docs came straight from Kerry.

Why don't we ask Mr. Dobbs to release the FOIA document?

[hotshu]

I have noticed that Snopes has developed quite a leftist lean in several of their "debunkungs" lately. IIRC they have a whole section on "Politics; Racial" or something of that sort.

If they are forced to make a call on anything controversial, their tendencies predominantly tilt left.

[adam_az]

" the swiftees say Rassman was thrown overboard from Kerry's when he sped away! hahahahaha"

Rassman was eating a cookie too, according to his own account. Under fire...?

[FairOpinion]

The media is liberal, socialist, even communist.

So is Kerry.

The media wants Kerry to be president, because they hate the US.

[dano1]

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

If the VC had seen the flotilla going up the river for 2 1/2 miles, wouldn't they find a defensible position and wait to ambush the flotilla on the return trip?

[DaveMSmith]

Along... The floatilla never moved - 2 boats tied alongside PCF3 to keep it from sinking and do damage control...

From Unfit to Command pg 91:

When Chenworth's boat left a second time to deliver the wounded PCF3 crewmen to a Coast Guard cutter offshore, Kerry jumped into the boat, leaving the few remaining officers and men the job of saving PCF 3, which by then was in terrible condition, sinking just outside the river. Kerry's eagerness to secure his third and final Purple Heart evidently outweighed any feelings he may have had of loyalty, duty, or honor with regard to his fellow sailors.

[exhaustedmomma]

The media is

CORRUPT.
Media, in every form, have gone OVER THE EDGE... and are no more than propaganda machines... IM(not)HO. It has become beyond frightening. New World Order.

[ohCompGk]

"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."

Nor was I. I was in High School when V.N. ended. I had to wait till Grenada and Lebanon to get mine. Don't want to even start down the why I joined on this thread:)

"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."

Agreed. Exactly my point.

[AmericanVictory]

How does Kerry's description of the level, rate and intensity of the hostile fire compare with this report? Is there a discrepancy there?

[neverdem]

No, this is good.

I agree with your take on the situation.