Real Seals Say Kerry Is Legend In His Own Mind

Apparently, the latest version of Kerry's Cambodia Chronicles includes the insertion of Navy SEALs by Swift boat into Cambodia in the early part of 1969. Well, I am a former Navy SEAL that served in the 1990s, my father in law is a former SEAL and he served in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam in 1970. I spoke with him about the likelihood that this story could be correct. My contention was that Swift boats were too large to be routinely used as an insertion platform for SEALs.

SEALs typically used the Medium SEAL Support Craft (MSSC) or the LSSC. My dad's platoon, had one of each assigned. These boats were designed by SEALs and specially built for the Teams to use on clandestine riverine insertions at night of usually no more than 8 operators. Swift boats operated in groups as independent entities, and not as insertion/extraction platforms for small units.

Jim Rassman's ODA was probably on there because SF A teams don't have organic boat assets and were using the Swifties because they had no other means of getting where they needed to go. Also, it is my understanding that the engagement with Kerry getting the Bronze Star took place during the day, which leads me to believe the insertion mission was either a large infantry force led by the SF guys, or a civic action type mission for which SF is well known.

Waterborne infiltrations done illegally into a "neutral" country if performed would be done by small groups of operators (less than 8), at night, in a small tributary, by a boat with a very shallow draft and jacuzzi, not propeller drive. To do otherwise, would be ridiculous.

SEALs also did not trust anyone outside of their immediate peer group. They developed their own intel by snatching high ranking VC out of their beds in the middle of the night. They did not share this info outside the platoon, boat guys, and Seawolves helo crews (close fire support assets). They learned early on that passing intel up the chain was a sure way to be compromised on future operations.

In order to get permission to conduct an illegal incursion into Cambodia by Swift boat the following must occur: 1. Extremely fresh intel of a high value target (think U.S. POW, or VC chieftain). 2. Take that intel outside the group and up to intel at a higher level (risking compromise) in order to obtain boat support from the Swifties to go into Cambodia. That is extremely unlikely to the point of absurdity.

Furthermore, neither myself or my father in law knows anyone who was inserted anywhere by a Swift boat during Vietnam. It just wasn't done. It wasn't something SEALs wanted, and it wasn't something Swifties did.

The nail is hit squarely upon the head. None of the Kerry tale passes the smell test: How many barstool-warriors have we come upon that embellish and stretch the truth of their exploits beyond the breaking point? Usually we give these guys a wide berth and let them have their mostly harmless fantasy. But most guys don't hold the reigns of power and most guys aren't responsible for deploying the US military. And while most guys like that might be living in an alcoholic delusion, they aren't delusional US Presidents nor are they delusional US Senators.

This clown is not just embarassing, he is dangerous. Thanks to you--Hugh Hewitt, Captain's Quarters, A Collection of Thoughts, Just One Minute, and many others--for spreading the story.

At 15:21, Alec Rawls said... Insertion lie not proven yet, but you are adding weight to the expectation. Welcome to the blogosphere good buddy.

At 15:42, Robert Dawson said... Good luck and thanks for your service. Glad you can keep serving this country by debunking a fallacy being pushed for political purposes. I'm going to link to you on my blog because you seem to have the "bottom line" on why he just cannot possibly be telling the truth.

At 15:49, PBRMan said...
I am totally convinced that Kerry is lying about this and other matters. However, while I have no knowledge about Swift operations (if any) with SEALs, I can tell you that I personally inserted and retracted SEAL ambush teams in the delta from a PBR at least a dozen times from 9/67 to 9/68. I did these both on the Co Chien River, operating out of Vinh Long, and on the Bassac out of Binh Thuy.

At 16:00, Richard said...
Matthew, a quick question if that's ok. Since there are numerous "Navy SEALS" running around out there, is it possible for you to let folks know what BUD/S class you graduated from and/or which Teams you served with?

on topic though, you are correct and as you know most people in SBU know as well that swiftboats were ill suited for many portions of the Mekong area, thats why the flat bottom PBR's were used (no screw to get tangled up as well). Swiftboats were loud and poorly suited for covert usage in my view. I'm sure Dick Marcinko and others of his era could shed more light on this as well.

At 16:43, www.brightwinger.com/blogs said... As a SEAL how likely is it that a CIA operative would give Kerry part of his camouflage (his hat) just as he is about to embark on a clandestine mission into enemy territory?

At 18:03, pst314 said...
Eye-opening observations. Thank you, and thank you for your service, sir.

At 19:10, Jules said...
Thank you for posting! I love it when military members/vets write, it isn't the same hearing information from people who didn't "live" the stuff they are talking about. Thank you again sir, for your service and for taking time to get credible information onto the 'net.

No matter which version of this sorry tale I hear one question stands alone.... With dozens of experienced sailors to chose from, why would anyone chose an arrogant, self-promoting showboater who had only just arrived to pilot a boat on a secret mission into Cambodia ?

Just got back from vacation, and to the threads.

I graduated from BUD/S class 105 in 1979, and have never been closer to Viet Nam or Cambodia than Okinawa and the PI. BUT, during my time in the teams (1980s) all of the instructors and team NCOs and officers above LT were "real deal SEALs" from the VN era. War stories were an integral part of our training: how to do it, and not do it, based on their actual experiences.

Based on what I learned at their feet, so to speak, I will say that I find the Swift boat insertion(s) into Cambodia story to be a laugable lie. Laughable, except he told it to slime Reagan in the 80s as another lying tricky Dick Nixon, running another illegal secret war (in Nicaragua this time).

That this lying self-serving scumbag could become C-I-C scares the hell out of me.

Welcome back... How's the book doing?

Roger your scumbag concern...If Kerry is elected President, it will tell me more about our country and where we're going than I wanted to see confirmed..

Semper Fi

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