[Texasforever]

V Device: The bronze "V" identifies the award as resulting from an act of combat heroism or "VALOR", thus distinguishing it from meritorious achievement awards.<

If Kerry's medals do not include the "V" device it would appear that he was no "hero" according to the regulations.

[1066AD]

IIRC he got the "V"; citations are on his website (even if they are signed by Reagan's Navy Sec'y).

[MJY1288]

I'm watching the rerun of Special report and they showed one of John Kerry's crew mates answering a question about this story. He said that Kerry's boat did leave the other boats and when they returned all the boats were firing everything they could at both shores, but he said NOTHING about taking fire. I am no expert at the S.O.P. for the kind of situation the Swift Boats were in, but it makes sense that they would lay down suppression fire 360 degrees around the crippled boat?

This could be why Rassman insist they were under fire. If I was in the water after striking a mine and suppression fire was being laid down from several other Swift Boats, I would swear to it too :-)

I will see if I can find the transcript of what the Kerry crew member said and post it!