Posted on 07/14/2004 2:50:14 AM PDT by 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.
When someone pi**** on the honor and sacrifice of our BELOVED VETERANS,they've made me their enemy.If they truly loved their country they would stand up for her.I wish Kerry would come to Santa Cruz and call my father or uncle a war criminal to my face.Without his SS detail.Then you'd see a real war crime. "I'm SirLurkedalot,and my hate for the Left is second only to my love for America"
As an added note....The Navy with the exception of the Aviators really didn't have much chance of getting hero medals because they simply never got into combat situations with some notable exceptions like the swiftboat folks which originally were harbor patrol craft. The Lurch apparently having crafted his plan volunteered for swiftboats figuring he could command one of those in the harbor such as Cam Rahn Bay and be safe and get himself a few medals...but his plan backfired and the mission changed to running up and down the rivers where charles like to take pot shots at those boats and folks were firing in anger trying to kill you. Change the plan and change quick...ala the 3 PH's and our hero exits stage left and returns to the US..gets an early out and becomes a traitor to all who served honorably. END OF STORY
Don't forget the Navy Corpsmen assigned to the Marines. Lots of combat and plenty of opportunities to win a medal. Also, the Navy Seals participated in combat operations, e.g., Bob Kerrey won the MOH.
Try this for campaign stars, I got six for these campaigns, Kerry is talking out his ass.
Guess we'll just have to wait and see...
His first “wound” - while at Cam Rahn Bay - was caused by his firing a 40 mm at a rock close by. He showed up with a small scratch and a tiny piece of shrapnel that resembled that from an American 40 mm grenade launcher. No one reported enemy contact or reported receiving fire.
One that he received in the Delta appeared to be from scratching himself on a wheelhouse projection.
Thanks for the link. I left on July 4, 1968 after serving a year in country. I see the cut off date is July 1, 1968 for the start of a new campaign. Coupled with my afloat service off the coast for 8 months, I guess I qualify for one more star. Unlike Kerry, I won't be amending my DD214 more than 30 years later.
The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal was issued to any one serving in Vietnam, with a devise to indicate the decade of service. Mine is the “60 devise”. The Viet Nam Service medal is awarded by campaign, I have four bronze stars denoting my presence during four campaigns -
Viet Nam Counter Offensive Phase II
Viet Nam Counter Offensive Phase III
Tet Counter Offensive
Viet Nam Counter Offensive Phase IV
I have credit for two tours but was involved in four campaigns.
I too have no idea how it could be claimed he had three Vietnam Campaign medals - unless it is media ignorance and they are counting the Purple Heart, Silver Star and Bronze star as the three “campaign medals”.
Don’t forget that Hanoi John was still an officer in the United States Navy when he committed sedition and treason.
Kerry could put this whole thing to bed by opening his shirt and showing the scars - that is, if there were any....
I'll never forget it.
I was there the same time Hanoi Kerry was.
I was there Oct'68-Apr'69 as a GMG 3
I served on the destroyer USS Corry DD-817
which supplied PCF's and PBR's
and gave gunfire support in North AND South Viet Nam.
My ship may have even supplied Hanoi Kerry's boat.
I VOW I will do everything I LEGALLY can
to keep this traitor from being elected.
Hanoi Kerry MUST NOT win on Nov 2 2004
Please distribute this url link far and wide.
Especially to military and vet groups.
Hanoi Kerry must be exposed for the traitor he is.
It will be updated on a regular basis.
It also contains links for voter registration
for the military AND civilians.
(No commercial ads host)
http://tonkin.spymac.net/hanoikerry1.html
There is a backup site
if the 1st url is unavailable.
(1-2 commercial ads host)
http://stophanoikerry.150m.com/
Thanks for the ping!
Bump!
Self-inflicted wounds?
You mean like:
"I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it"
bump
John O'Neill is the man who debated the young John Kerry on the Dick Cavett show in the early 70's. He is extremely credible. He is himself a lawyer and until now has refused to be drawn into public statement or debate about Kerry. I think the fact that Kerry is now running for president has probably galvanized a man who would rather remain private. I was extremely impressed when I watched that debate played on C-Span several months ago. Kerry hates him, or at least it appeared so in that debate, so I can't imagine that he would make a public statement with which Kerry could hang his credibility.
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