In "Tour of Duty," Douglass Brinkley includes excerpts from Kerry's war journal. It seems Kerry's story and Rassman's WSJ Op-Ed differ on a significant fact.
In Brinkley's book, which relies on excerpts from Kerry's war journal, Rassman isn't on Kerry Swift Boat. Brinkley says Rassman fell of PCF-35, while Kerry was OIC of PCF-94 on that day.
On Kerry's campaign website, a press release maintains the Brinkley line:
January 17, 2004
Kerry Reunites with Fellow Veteran in Iowa Veteran says Kerry saved his life in combat; has not seen him since 1969
For Immediate Release
Des Moines, IA - Former Lieutenant John Kerry was reunited today with fellow Vietnam veteran Jim Rassmann, who says Kerry saved his life during combat.
On March 13, 1969, Rassmann, a Green Beret, was traveling down the Bay Hap river in a boat behind Kerry’s when both were ambushed by exploding land mines and enemy fire coming from the shore. Kerry was hit in the arm, while a mine blew Rassmann’s boat out of the water. With enemy fire coming from both sides of the river and swift boats evacuating from the area, Kerry’s crew chose to turn their boat toward the ambush to save Rassmann.
“We were still under fire, and he was wounded at the time…,” recalled Rassmann. And with his boat’s gunners providing suppressing fire, Kerry extended his wounded arm into the water and the two lieutenants locked arms.
Kerry and Rassmann have not seen each other since 1969. Yesterday, Jim Rassmann called John Kerry’s campaign headquarters and said: “I saw that John is in another tough fight, and I want to lend a hand.”
Rassmann, a retired Los Angeles county sheriff who now lives in Florence, Oregon, flew to Iowa this morning to reunite with Kerry. Kerry, with fellow veterans around him, said he was moved by Rassmann’s decision to come to Iowa.
“I remember the day and the moment we last met; the lingering bond between us comes from the shared experience of our service,” Kerry said. “I told Jim what I tell the thousands of veterans I have met in Iowa: As president, I will never—ever—forget your service.” Kerry added.
For Kerry’s bravery, Rassmann recommended that he be recognized, and Kerry was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V. The citation that followed the award read as follows:
“The man was receiving sniper fire from both banks. Lt. Kerry directed his gunners to provide suppressing fire, while from an exposed position on the bow, his arm bleeding and in pain, with disregard for his personal safety, he pulled the man aboard.
Lt. Kerry then directed his boat to return and assist the other damaged craft and towed the boat to safety. Lt. Kerry's calmness, professionalism and great personal courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the US Naval Service.”
Rassman, in response to the Swift Boats for truth, penned an Op-Ed for the WSJ. Rassman like the anti-Kerry Swifties place Rassman on Kerry's boat:
On March 13, 1969, John Kerry's courage and leadership saved my life.
While returning from a SEA LORDS operation along the Bay Hap River, a mine detonated under another swift boat. Machine-gun fire erupted from both banks of the river, and a second explosion followed moments later. The second blast blew me off John's swift boat, PCF-94, throwing me into the river. Fearing that the other boats would run me over, I swam to the bottom of the river and stayed there as long as I could hold my breath.
Interesting, no?
This is amazing. They have impeached their own story forcing further investigation .. and if I understand it, Unfit for Command describes this as the incident where Kerry fled (read: coward).
Well was it sniper fire or machinegun fire?
LOL, the campaign press release quotes a part of the medal write-up, which has a different version of events! Priceless!