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"I wouldn't get too wrapped up in the comment that Kerry’s boat fled. For a foot soldier at least, if you get caught in an ambush the best way to get out of it is to sometimes run out of it. Immediately stopping and shooting back keeps you in the kill zone that has already been predetermined by the enemy that launched the attack."

Kerry's job as commander of the boat was to assess the risk. He was the only one who came to the conclusion he was in danger and fled. None of the other commanders fled after cover fire by the remaining boats showed nobody firing back.

It strongly implies cowardice. If Kerry is indeed the source of the enemy fire portion of the recommendations, it implies he may have been covering up that cowardice by...what else....exaggerating the circumstances and thus his own heroism.

[NonValueAdded]

Remember too that this was the last incident in Kerry's abbreviated tour. Shortly thereafter, Tom Wright says he took the steps to have Kerry sent home. IMHO Tom got the reports on Kerry's actions that day, started the out-processing and in order to gain Kerry's acquiescence (Wright says Kerry didn't want to leave) offered to endorse the paperwork - sort of a here's the medal, now get the heck out of my AO. We'll only know if Kerry releases the paperwork.