>>4 months and 12 days
I think you're giving him too much credit. I've heard
O'Neill say 4 months and 2 days, and that seems about right
from what I've read...
Kerry reported in at Cam Ranh Bay at 10pm November 17th,
a Sunday night.
Kerry's last outing on any boat was March 13th, the day
he got the bruise, as well as (in the morning) the doofus
butt rice explosion.
Kerry got his transfer papers telex'ed to him on March 20th
but I think he knew beyond a doubt he would be outta there,
a few days before that... I believe he even LEFT,
(presumably to HQ to lobby for the transfer) about the 17th or 18th.
So 4 months and 2 days may be the best estimate.
11/17/68----Ordered to Cam Ranh Bay (a Resort area)
12/2/68---First Purple heart
12/6/68--- took commant of PCF 44
12/13/68---Ordered to Cat Lo
early Jan---reassigned to AN THoi
Early Feb---Assigned to PCF 94
2/20/69--- PH #2
2/28/69 ---Silver Star
3/13/69 ---PH#3 & Bronze Star
3/17/69--departs for States.