The three craft saturation the area with gunfire and placed assault parties ashore in pursuit of the fleeing enemy. Lieutenant (junior grade) ROOD led one of these assault parties and conducted a sweep of the area while the Patrol Craft Fast continue to provide fire support.
After the enemy had been completely routed, all personnel returned to the Patrol Craft Fast to withdraw from the area. While backing off the beach these craft again came under a hail of enemy fire, this time from the opposite river bank.
Again the three Patrol Craft Fast poured withering fire into the enemy positions and then cleared the area. Later after disembarking personnel and while exiting from the Bay Hap River, the Patrol Craft Fast were again taken under enemy fire.
The three craft returned fire and silenced the enemy. As a result of this operation, ten Viet Cong were killed and one wounded with no friendly casualties. In addition numerous sampans, structures and bunkers were destroyed as well as confiscation of substantial quantities of combat essential supplies.
Lieutenant (junior grade) ROOD's devotion to duty, courage under fire and exemplary professionalism significantly contributed to the success of this operation and were keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Lieutenant (junior grade) ROOD is authorized to wear the Combat "V".
For the President
[signed]
E. R. ZUMWALT, JR.
Vice Admiral, U. S. Navy
Commander U. S. Naval Forces, Vietnam
*bump*
Rood's account also sharply contradicts the version currently put forth by the anti-Kerry veterans. Rood, 61, wrote that Kerry had personally contacted him and other crew members in recent days asking that they go public with their accounts of what happened on that day.