Posted on 09/01/2004 3:51:05 PM PDT by SkyPilot
On the Bay Hap River, Vietnam (AP) The 50-foot Swift boats were easy targets as they plowed through the waterways of the Mekong Delta in packs of three or four; making big waves and thunderous noise when approaching.
Former Viet Cong soldier Duong Hoang Sinh remembers them well—the one time he tangled with three Swift boats, the Americans killed all of the insurgents(well—the AP does like that term to describe our enemies, doesn’t it?) in his unit except two.
“It was very fierce fighting,” said Sinh, 52, who lost his left eye during the war and still has shrapnel embedded in his arm. “Each side tried to eliminate the other.”
Sinh and John Jerry, the U.S. Democratic presidential nominee, wer fighting along the Dong Cung canal around roughly (gee, roughly now is now good enough for AP—what Journalistic Standards! the same time 35 years ago in early 1969, experiencing the intensity of the war along these muddy waters, but from opposite sides.
Although Sinh ad never heard of Kerry what?—look at the title of the article!, he has a strong opinion about the debate surrounding the candidate’s Veitnam War record as a U.S. Navy Swift boat commander: Kerry must have had guts to troll the Mekong Delta’s spider web of rivers and narrow canals knowing that Viet Cong like himself were waiting to pick him off.
“Kerry served in Vietnam and he was awarded the medal for his bravery,” Sinh said. “He deserves the medal!”
The memories of the Swift boat battles in these waters are now being sharply scrutinized under the divisive lens of the U.S. presidential election, where Kerry’s actions under fire have been disputed by a group of veterans.
As a Navy lieutenant, Kerry commanded two Swift boat units, PCF-44 and PCF-94, in Vietnam in late 1968 and early 1969. He was awarded three Purple Hears, a Silver Star, and a Bronze Star.
Kerry’s actions in several of these instances -- including a March 13, 1969 incident when he rescued U.S. Army Special Forces Lt. James Rassmann under enemy fire; a February 28, 1969 incident when he chased and killed a Viet Cong fighter; and a December 1968 incident when he was wounded – have been challenged in a series of television ads aired by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.
By the way--I had to re-type the article as it is no longer on the website---forgive any typos. It is printed in today's newspaper.
Another Connunist for Kerry want to see more go to cpusa.org
Communist even...
You mean it was pulled?
Ex - Viet Cong Soldier Recalls Swift Boats [amazingly one-sided, even for MSM], AP Story
It makes sense they would scratch his back now and then...
He didn't serve on Kerry's boat (though, apparently, he was on Kerry's side). Hey Ketchup Boy, here's another for your Bandaid Brothers!
U.S. warrior wins respect - Communists back former soldier Kerry in his bid for U.S. presidency
Thanks---I searched and it gave me no matches to the title. I have been around FR for awhile---and I know the rules---but I came up snake eyes. Also, the articles differ a bit--but glad this story is out there.
How revolting. Kerry goes to the people who killed Americans for his support. But are we surprised? You're just a poll statistic to this guy.
I'm struck by the pro-communist tone throughout this story, and the total lack of irony from the author about a communist enemy of America who endorses Kerry. The writer is either very dim (and sympathetic to communism), or this is some kind of subtle joke or hit piece on Kerry.
Hey, I think it's great! How about we start wearing t-shirts with pictures of him on it, that say 'Viet-Cong for Kerry!'
Sounds like a good idea to me.
And another thing really bugs me about this. The writer basically saying (through this former soldier) that we should give lots of respect and credit to Kerry for his service. But does the author think we should give lots of respect and credit to the guys from SBVT? Should we also listen respectfully to what they have to say? Evidently not -- because they don't get mentioned.
There's already a similar website that's great:
I'm told the web address www.vietcongforkerry.com is available at this time.
Understandable. The policy seems to be about duplicate posts of the same article within hours of each other.
I posted the link to the other thread, in case you might be interested in viewing the responses there & who has shown an interest in the subject.
Delusions of the left far. They think history began yesterday, so assume the rest of us think that way too.
59,000 died to stop communism and Kerry is proud to be endorsed by them.
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