Kerry Is No War Hero, Say Vietnam Comrades

CNSNEWS.com ^ | 7/14/04 | Robert B. Bluey

[kattracks]

CNSNews.com) - Some of John Kerry's former swift boat crewmates will have a high-profile role at the Democratic National Convention later this month, as they attempt to portray Kerry as a decorated Vietnam War hero. But an even larger number of veterans say that's not the case.

As news spread Tuesday of the convention's framework, members of a group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth dismissed the Democrats' plans. On the last night of the convention, an undisclosed number of Vietnam veterans plan to endorse Kerry.

"Preceding John Kerry and playing an important role will be his swift boat crewmates, who have stood by Kerry for more than 30 years since Kerry led them through the dangerous waters of Vietnam's Mekong Delta," a Democratic press release said.

A number of the veterans will speak glowingly about Kerry. Jim Rassman, a Green Beret who said Kerry rescued him from a Vietnam river in 1969, will lead the group.

Members of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth were quick to dismiss the effort, which they said amounted to a public relations push by the Kerry campaign to remake the candidate into a war hero despite lingering questions about his actions in Vietnam.

"The facts are that 250 of Kerry's former shipmates, including 17 of the 24 officers in his division, signed a public letter saying he's not fit to be the commander-in-chief," said retired Rear Adm. Roy Hoffmann, who commanded the fleet of swift boats during Kerry's tour of duty.

Hoffmann is one of the most outspoken veterans to oppose Kerry's candidacy. During a May 4 press conference announcing the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, he called Kerry a "loose cannon" because of his actions in Vietnam. After the war, Kerry adopted an anti-war position that angered many veterans.

Since the press conference, which attracted throngs of reporters and a quick rebuttal from the Kerry campaign, the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth have continued to work behind the scenes on ways to refute Kerry's claims about his Vietnam service.

One veteran who served alongside Kerry in another swift boat said the story of his rescue of Rassman was exaggerated.

"I have an eyewitness, firsthand account of what happened," said Larry Thurlow, who commanded a swift boat. "And the story he now tells is so drastically far from what actually happened, if I didn't know he was recounting this particular day, I wouldn't even recognize the story."

It was on that day that Kerry sustained an injury to his arm that resulted in a Purple Heart medal. Thurlow said Kerry didn't deserve that medal based on his recollection of events that day. Thurlow said the rescue wasn't nearly as dangerous as Kerry has described.

"He's a rhinestone cowboy,"" said John O'Neill, a veteran who helped organize Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. \ldblquote He literally is a guy who parades around and pretends to be something he's not. He was in Vietnam for four months; everyone else was there for a year. He obtained three Purple Hearts from self-inflicted wounds. And then he left."

O'Neill also criticized the mainstream news media for not looking outside Kerry's small circle of Vietnam supporters. The actual number who will appear at the Democratic convention wasn't disclosed, but O'Neill said it would be nowhere near the number of critics.

"The media continue to go to the same six or seven people, although 254 people have signed our letter,"" O'Neill said. \ldblquote They're ignoring that."

Kerry's campaign headquarters didn't respond to CNSNews.com 's offer to rebut the veterans' charges. But in response to the May 4 event, at which nearly 20 veterans spoke, Kerry supporters hastily called a press conference.

Wade Sanders, a former deputy assistant secretary of the Navy, said Swift Boat Veterans for Truth has a partisan motive in its attack of Kerry, a charge the Republican National Committee dismissed at the time.

"I don't think that many of the people who are following this gentleman, Capt. (sic) Roy Hoffmann, really understand the political implications of what's going on here, I mean what's fronting this," Sanders said.

But each of the veterans interviewed by CNSNews.com Tuesday were adamant that their disapproval of Kerry was driven solely by personal knowledge of him and his actions.

"We're taking him on, not because of his politics, but because he's lied about us and he specifically lies about his own actions," Thurlow said. "He's just blown them out of proportion to the point where it's ridiculous. We're madder than hell and we're not going to take it anymore."

See Earlier Story:
Kerry Was a 'Loose Cannon' in Vietnam, Says Ex-Commander (May 4, 2004)

E-mail a news tip to Robert B. Bluey.

Send a Letter to the Editor about this article.

 

[MEG33]

I listen to the news with my remote in hand for fear of having to hear Edwards introduce the "War Hero" again.

[astounded]

"Preceding John Kerry and playing an important role will be his swift boat crewmates, who have stood by Kerry for more than 30 years since Kerry led them through the dangerous waters of Vietnam's Mekong Delta," a Democratic press release said."

Huh??? Led them for four whole months - before he bugged out using a loophole usually utilized by real combat veterans (2, 3, or 4 tour warriors) who sustained real wounds. IF HE HAD ANY GUTS AT ALL, Kerry could put this whole thing to bed by opening his shirt and showing the scars - that is, if there were any....

[GraceCoolidge]

I was worried at the time that the media would drop the Swift Boat Veterans for the Truth story.... now I'm hoping that these veterans are just "holding their fire" for the convention. I hope there is a big onslaught planned by this group, by the GOP, etc.

[Just mythoughts]

"I have an eyewitness, firsthand account of what happened," said Larry Thurlow, who commanded a swift boat. "And the story he now tells is so drastically far from what actually happened, if I didn't know he was recounting this particular day, I wouldn't even recognize the story."



Got any clues as to who the "eyewitness" is???? First I have heard about this.

[Just mythoughts]

"I was worried at the time that the media would drop the Swift Boat Veterans for the Truth story.... now I'm hoping that these veterans are just "holding their fire" for the convention. I hope there is a big onslaught planned by this group, by the GOP, etc."


The Brinkley book was a preemptive strike to quell the questions about JKFerry's Vietnam days.

I do hope that this "eyewitness" will come forth and set the record straight.

[kabar]

I'm still trying to figure out Kerry's claim to THREE Vietnam Campaign medals. Perhaps they are lumping in a Vietnam Service with them, other wise he would have had to do THREE tours.

Kerry has a Vietnam campaign medal with 3 or 4 stars. It is based on various dates that mark stages in the conflict. Kerry received his original Vietnam campaign ribbon for his service on the USS Gridley, which was doing plane guard duty in the Gulf of Tonkin. The ship served a total of 82 days in a combat zone.

I have a VCM with 5 stars. It is just a matter of when you were there.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!

[kabar]

Kerry is emphasizing his four month plus "war" record to divert attention from his treasonous antiwar activities. The GOP must go after Kerry for his membership in the VVAW, his association with Fonda, Ramsey Clark, etc, and his two meetings with the Vietnamese Communists in Paris while hostilities were still underway. Kerry came back from Paris and advocated Madame Binh's negotiating points before Congress.

[SheLion]

[SheLion]

Here's one thread for your knowledge and information, Tonk!

[toomanygrasshoppers]

I heard one Kerry source say on a radio show that the Kerry campaign is going to use the 2 "V"s to build their campaign on: Vietnam and Values. Unbelievable. Just unbelievable. If that is indeed true, they will lose this race big time.

[maggief]

PI digs into Kerry's war past

Group defends investigation; veterans say comments distorted

11:40 PM CDT on Monday, July 12, 2004

By WAYNE SLATER / The Dallas Morning News

AUSTIN – Opponents of John Kerry have hired a Dallas-area private investigator to gather information aimed at discrediting his military service, say several veterans who served with the Massachusetts Democrat in Vietnam.

Several veterans who have been contacted in recent days accused the private investigator, Tom Rupprath of Rockwall, of twisting their words to produce misleading and inaccurate accounts that call into doubt the medals Mr. Kerry received for his service.

"They're just distorting things," said Jim Wasser, who served with Mr. Kerry. "They have nothing to go after John Kerry for, so now they're trying to discredit him."

Mr. Rupprath was hired by Swift Boat Veterans for Truth on the recommendation of Merrie Spaeth, a Dallas public relations executive assisting the anti-Kerry group.

(snip)

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/washington/stories/071304dnpolpi.770a.html

[Fighter@heart]

The "2 V's" now that's some funny stuff!!! Viet-Nan was dishonorable & his values are detestable!!! If they are using them it will be really fun to watch!!

[just me]

My cousin Harold was in Vietnam for 5 months when he was killed.
Kerry has no business by the Vietnam wall. The way I feel he called all those on the wall baby killers.
There was a time in this country when men like Kerry would not even show his face let alone run for the highest office in the land.

[Quilla]

I recall reading a description of the events surrounding one of Kerry's wounds. He was firing at some rocks (not during combat, basically playing around) and was injured as a result of ricochet.

[FlyLow]

I don't know what Kerry did in Vietnam but I sure as hell know what he did when he got back.He disgraced his brothers.He impugned the honor OF MY FAMILY.When I hear Dem(on) spokespeople refer to him as a "war hero" I choke back vomit. "I am Sir Lurkedalot and I approved of this ad"

---

Me too...best reply about this f'ing coward yet!

[StriperSniper]

that guy

The media has already been doing a good job marginalizing John O'Neill, but I think that will end soon. I think these guys are about ready to take off the gloves and get this thing going.

[greasepaint]

A 'swiftboat' has a normal complement of...
how many?

[vanmorrison]

This stuff about "war hero" JEffinK is amusing, to say the least. "Waving the bloody shirt" is a venerable American political tradition, always open to dispute.

Reading about the Battle of Leyte Gulf in WWII, I was surprised to learn that the only PT Boat in the action off Surigao Straits to be sunk was PT109, JFKennedy's boat. And it was considered at the time to be commanding officer error, since the boat was cleft in two in a collision with a Japanese destroyer. Yet this incident was blown way out of proportion in significance and transmogrified in the media as some sort of heroic adventure when it really consisted of the efforts of a desparate crew to recover from the disaster and return to their own unit.

I'll go with the judgment of the majority of the officers and sailors who know better, and who maintain that Kerry is a charlatan misrepresenting the facts!

[RVN Airplane Driver]

Less than 10...more like 6 I think. Big time leadership required. In the Army an Buck Sgt squad leader has twice that many. Be interesting to know exactly how many missions kerry actually was on....bet it wasn't many. As a note for the uninformed....as the OIC kerry wrote himself up for all those PH and Medals....and then some Awards and Decorations compound coward weenie formally put them up the line for approval.