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A Little Background
on the Swift Boat Veterans for Bush
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What kind of people support George W. Bush, who ran FROM Vietnam and EVEN from his National Guard duties, over John Kerry ran TO Vietnam and TO life-threatening duty there ?
Here's a dose REAL "Truth" for you regarding John Kerry's Service Record.
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One person, Robert Perry, is responsible for two thirds of the funding ($ 100, 000) of the Anti-Kerry "Swift Vets". Bob Perry has a history of financing similar ventures on behalf of George W. Bush in the past, including the scurilous campaign against another Vietnam War hero, Republican Senator John McCain:
Dallas Morning News: Veterans Group Critical of Kerry Backed by Bush Supporter, Bob Perry, a major supporter of President Bush and the Republican Party, is the biggest financial backer of a veterans group seeking to discredit Democrat John Kerry's military service, according to federal records. Perry, a Houston homebuilder, gave $100,000 to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. That accounted for two-thirds of the
organization's receipts to date. DMN, Slater, 7/23/04.'
BOB PERRY HAS DONATED $5 MILLION IN 3 YEARS TO REPUBLICANS & CONSERVATIVE CAUSES: �Since January 2000, Mr. Perry has donated more than $5.2 million to state candidates and causes, making him by far the most prolific giver in Texas over that time, according to campaign records reviewed by The Dallas Morning News. Chunks of his money, coming sometimes in a flurry of $ 25,000 checks, have gone to support anti-lawsuit, pro-business groups ($ 320,000) and the state Republican Party ($ 980,000). Last year, he provided $ 600,000 to 23 GOP candidates for the Legislature, helping lift Republicans to their first takeover of the Texas House since Reconstruction. He also has given $ 175,000 to Gov. Rick Perry (no relation), $ 215,000 to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and $ 437,500 to Attorney General Greg Abbott. He is the largest individual contributor to almost every statewide officeholder, all Republicans.� [DMN, 11/2/03]
Fox News: "Many Of Them Are Republicans Who Have Contributed To And Backed Various Bush Campaigns And Causes Over The Decades". The GOP says it's not involved with the veterans criticizing Kerry, but many of them are Republicans who have contributed to and backed various Bush campaigns and causes over the decades." [Fox News, Special Report, Cameron, 5/4/04]
The New York Times did some research on the people involved in this campaign and found that there were the EXTENSIVE connections with each other and with the Bush administration, despite denials by the White House that there was ANY connection.
Anti-Kerry "Swift Vets" Operated By Same People Who Tried to Discredit McCain in 2000
CBS News: "The Press Conference Was Set Up By The Same People Who Tried To Discredit John McCain's Reputation." "The [May, 2004 Swift Boat Veterans for Truth"] press conference was set up by the same people who tried to discredit John McCain's reputation in Vietnam service when McCain faced George W. Bush for the Republican nomination in 2000. It's the same strategy used to go after Georgia Senator Max Cleland, who lost three limbs in Vietnam." [CBS Evening News, Pitts, 5/4/04]
Salon.Com: "Same Vicious Techniques They Used Against McCain" "Behind the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth are veteran corporate media consultant and Texas Republican activist Merrie Spaeth, who is listed as the group's media contact�� In 2000, Spaeth participated in the most subterranean episode of the Republican primary contest when a shadowy group billed as 'Republicans for Clean Air' produced television ads falsely attacking the environmental record of Sen. John McCain in California, New York and Ohio. While the identity of those funding the supposedly 'independent' ads was carefully hidden, reporters soon learned that Republicans for Clean Air was simply Sam Wyly -- a big Bush contributor and beneficiary of Bush administration decisions in Texas -- and his brother, Charles, another Bush "Pioneer" contributor." [Salon.com, Conalson, 5/4/04]
Anti-Kerry "Swift Vets" Hire Private Investigator to Dig Into Kerry's Past
Dallas Morning News: "P.I. Digs Into Kerry's War Past Group Defends Investigation; Veterans Say Comments Distorted." "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'." [DMN, Slater, 7/13/04]
Salon.com: "How Low Will the Swift Boat Veterans Sink?" A private detective retained by 'Swift Boat Veterans for Truth'-- the Texas-based group seeking to discredit John Kerry's military record -- is contacting veterans who may have information about the incidents that led to Kerry's Vietnam decorations. According to a former Kerry crew member, several of the Massachusetts senator's old Navy comrades have refused to talk with the detective, a former FBI agent named Thomas Rupprath -- and some have complained that the detective tried to put damaging words in their mouths. Rupprath's efforts are clearly intended to discredit Kerry's military record, which should surprise nobody familiar with the 'Swift Boat' group. Its leaders are conservative Republicans embittered over Kerry's later antiwar activism." [Salon.com, 7/13/04]
The ad which is scheduled to air in a few markets in Ohio, West Virginia and Wisconsin, was produced by Stevens, Reed, Curcio and Potham, the same team that produced McCain's ads in 2000. [AP, 8/5/04]
Senator McCain Says It's Dishonest & Dishonorable -- Same Thing That Happened to Him in 2000.
"Republican Sen. John McCain, a former prisoner of war in Vietnam, called an ad criticizing John Kerry's military service "dishonest and dishonorable". 'It was the same kind of deal that was pulled on me,' McCain said in an interview with The Associated Press, referring to his bitter Republican primary fight with President Bush'." [AP, 8/5/04]
"In 2000, Bush's supporters sponsored a rumor campaign against McCain in the South Carolina primary, helping Bush win the primary and the nomination. . . McCain said that's all in the past to him, but he's speaking out against the anti-Kerry ad because he believes it's bad for the political system. 'It reopens all the old wounds of the Vietnam War, which I spent the last 35 years trying to heal,' he said." [AP, 8/5/04]
McCain Calls on Bush to Condemn It - No Comment From Bush
Asked if the White House knew about the ad or helped find financing for it, McCain said, 'I hope not, but I don't know. But I think the Bush campaign should specifically condemn the ad." Later, McCain said the Bush campaign has denied any involvement and added, 'I can't believe the president would pull such a cheap stunt'. The White House did not immediately address McCain's call that they repudiate the spot." [AP, 8/5/04]
McCain Deplores This Kind of Politics
"I deplore this kind of politics. I think the ad is dishonest and dishonorable. As it is, none of these individuals served on the boat (Kerry) commanded. Many of his crew have testified to his courage under fire. I think John Kerry served honorably in Vietnam." [AP, 8/5/04]
Many of the backers and participants in the anti-McCain and anti-Kerry campaigns have been rewarded handsomely by the Bush Klan. See http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/8/9/15921/85067
One of the two editors of the anti-Kerry Veterans is a guy who got his PhD from Harvard, named Jerome Corsi. A true Bush Republican is he, as you can from these quotes of his:
On Catholics and the Pope
"Maybe while he's there he can tell the UN what he's going to do about the sexual crimes committed by "priests" in his "Church" during his tenure. Or, maybe that's the connection -- boy buggering in both Islam and Catholicism is okay with the Pope as long as it isn't reported by the liberal press". (03/03/2003)
"So this is what the last days of the Catholic Church are going to look like. Buggering boys undermines the moral base and the laywers rip the gold off the Vatican altars. We may get one more Pope, when this senile one dies, but that's probably about it". (12/16/2002)
On Islam and Arabs
"Let's see exactly why it isn't the case that Islam is a worthless, dangerous Satanic religion? Where's the proof to the contrary"? (04/24/2004)
"Islam is like a virus -- it affects the mind -- maybe even better as an analogy -- it is a cancer that destroys the body it infects... No doctor would hesitate to eliminate cancer cells from the body". (11/26/02)
"Islam is a peaceful religion as long as the women are beaten, the boys buggered, and the infidels killed". (11/22/2002)
"How's this as an analogy -- the Koran is simply the "software" for producing deviant cancer cell political behavior and violence in human beings". (02/15/2002)
"Think the liberal press will ever let out that these 2 were lovers -- typical Islamic boy-buggering -- older man, younger man -- black Muslims? I doubt it. Not a pretty picture, but one certain to be hidden by PC media". (11/08/2002)
"Isn't the Democratic Party the official Sodomizer Protection Association of America -- oh, I forgot, it was just an accident that Clintoon's first act in office was to promote "gays in the military." Ragheads are Boy-Bumpers as clearly as they are Women-Haters -- it all goes together". (11/18/2001)
On Senator John Kerry
"First let's undermine the US in Vietnam. Then we can go for gay marriage. When you get to be Pres. JFK-lite, there will be no end to how much of America we can destroy". (05/17/2004)
"Just don't let anybody put a tablet with the Ten Commandments in front of the school where that girl wants to wear a Muslim scarf -- OH, No --- then the RATS would complain. Anti-Christian, Anti-American -- just like their Presidential Candidate -- Jean Francois Kerrie". (03/31/2004)
"After he married TerRAHsa, didn't John Kerry begin practicing Judiasm? He also has paternal gradparents that were Jewish. What religion is John Kerry"? (03/04/2004)
"Kerry offers a clear choice. Anti-American hatred". (02/08/2004)
"John F*ing Commie Kerry and Commie Ted [Kennedy] discuss their plan to hand America over to our nation's enemies". (02/04/2004)
On former President Bill Clinton
" When is this guy going to admit he's simply an anti-American communist? Won't he and his leftist wife simply go away???? Enough already". (02/24/2002)
"Hey, Bill, didn't you steal enough when you had the chance"? (02/15/2002)
"Clinton doesn't get it. Afganistan, and other Moslim countries, are not poor because they lack money. The culture itself is anti-modern. But then, maybe Slick did get it and he just wants to create another bork barrel from which he and his wife can draw slop". (02/15/2002)
"Clinton was more interested in gays in the military than going after OBL. Clinton had Janet Rhino pushing the FBI to deport a child to Castro's nondemocratic Cuba, not searching out OBL sleepers in the USA. Clinton was too busy getting BJs in the Oval Office to do more than Wag the Dog after the Cole was hit". (05/16/2002)
On Senator Hillary Clinton
"HELL-ary loves the Arabs so much (kiss, kiss Mrs. Arab*RAT) -- wonder how she would look in a Burkha"? (05/21/2002)
"Mullah Ali'Gore-ah is very proud of his new Bin Laden beard and he hopes others in the Democratic Party will follow his lead. Hell-ary is disappointed she cannot grow a beard, but her press secretary reminds us she can still enroll in flight school". (01/07/02)
"Let the FAT HOG run!!! [regarding a possible presidential bid] (08/30/2003)
"Hellary should resign and go away. What ever happened to the people she ran over with her car at Westchester Airport? Can't anybody sue this b*tch"? (11/17/2002)
"Anybody ask why HELLary couldn't keep BJ Bill satisfied? Not lesbo or anything, is she"? (06/08/2003)
On Chelsea Clinton
"According to Talk Magazine, Chubby Chelsea had a very great adventure on 9/11 in NYC and Hell-ary had the details wrong -- oh, it was terrible". (12/07/2001)
"Did the Journalist see Chubbie Chelsea among the wives. Little Katie Communist [Katie Couric] on the NBC Today show interviewed Hillary this morning and mom is worried sick about Chelsea. She was last seen in Kandahar at a Starbucks. But now, as Little Katie Communist sighed, "Who Knows?" Even British disinformation planted reports such as this grocery crap will be useful. Anyone with information about Chubbie Chelsea's whereabouts should post it now. Mom wants to know her daughter is out of harms way. Mom also wants to be at the center of the story". (11/29/2001)
"But the real question is: Where is Chubbie Chelsea? Is she in Kabul in danger, looking for a Starbucks? Waldo wants to know. Please, Little Katie Communist, Help us find Chelsea. The situation may be urgent". (11/29/2001)
"Hillary says Chelsea is missing and Janet Rhino doesn't know where she is"? (11/28/2001)
On former Vice President Al Gore
"Gore isn't available for television. He is growing his regulation length Bin Laden beard. Mullah Ali'Gore-ah, as he now wishes to be called, is focused on his new career as a pilot. "Want to fly like bird," he says after his stint as a professor at Columbia. "No need to learn take-off or landing, just soar like bird and look at buildings." As to Florida, Mulllah Gore-ah says, "No big buildings," dismissing the importance of the state to his future plans." (12/15/2001)
On the Media
"Time to FREEP Chris Matthews of MSNBC. MSNBC is beginning to stand for "More Sh*t, Nothing But Communism." (05/16/2002)
"I didn't realize Little Katie Communist of the NBC Today Show knew how to hack a website. Finally something impressive from the little wimp" [responding to news that USA Today's website had been hacked and that the hackers were mocking President George W. Bush's Christianity] (07/12/2002)
"COMMUNISM -- it's simple NBC = Nothing but communism". (04/19/2004)
"Susan Estrogen -- even the voice grates. But then with supporters like her and Ted Kennedy, who needs enemies. Let Susan Blah blah screatch -- only Chrissy Matthews whines better". (04/13/2004)
Assorted
"Perfect Liberal -- lesbian, self-absorbed, hates America, anxious to impose her values on everybody else". [on Martina Navratilova] (06/26/2002)
"And now we get Pooh-Lefty pushed on us by the Rats ( i.e. Democrats) as Minority Leader in the House -- here come the San Francisco liberals -- hope the Rats go back to focusing the debate on gay marriages and other pro-choice topics close to Pelosi's heart". (11/18/2002)
"Too bad the plane didn't crash into the TV set of the NBC show "The Left Wing" -- especially when Martin Sheen was "acting." (06/07/2003)
Align=Center Copyright � 2004 Media Matters for America. All rights reserved.
� Narrator: "Here's what these men think about John Kerry." The video juxtaposes pictures of Kerry with his shipmates and clearly implies that those who speak AGAINST Kerry were shipmates of Kerry's. The TRUTH is that NONE of the Speakers in This Ad Served on Either of Kerry's Two SWIFT Boats (PCF44 & PCF94). Some of them were in Vietnam at the same time, some of them did serve on SWIFT boats but none of them were on John Kerry's SWIFT boat.
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�George Elliott says : "John Kerry has not been honest about what happened in Vietnam." George Elliott was NOT a crewmate of John Kerry's
Was Elliott Honest in 1996 When He Said This of Kerry?
"The fact that he chased an armed enemy down is not something not to be looked down upon but it was an act of courage. And the whole outfit served with honor..."[T]here was no question that it was above and beyond anything that we had seen down there in that case at that time frame...It just so happened that this one was so outstanding that the Silver Star was eventually awarded." [Kerry Press Conference, 10/27/96]
In 1969, Elliott Wrote This to Describe John Kerry's Fitness as a SWIFT Boat Commander
"In a combat environment often requiring independent, decisive action, LTJG Kerry was unsurpassed. He constantly reviewed tactics and lessons learned in river operations and applied his experience at every opportunity. On one occasion, while in tactical command of a three boat operation his units were taken under fire from ambush. LTJG Kerry rapidly assessed the situation and ordered his units to turn directly into the ambush. This decision resulted in routing the attackers with several KIA. LTJG Kerry emerges as the acknowledged leader in his peer group. His bearing and appearance are above reproach. He has of his own volition learned the Vietnamese language and is instrumental in the successful Vietnamese training program. During the period of this report LTJG Kerry has been awarded the Silver Star medal, the Bronze Star medal, the Purple Heart medal (2nd and 3rd awards)."[U.S. Navy, Officer Fitness Report signed by George Elliott; 18, Dec 1969]
Elliott on Presenting Kerry the Silver Star: He Went "Above & Beyond the Call of Duty."
"The [Silver Star] ceremony [for John Kerry] was meant to be a morale booster,' Commander George Elliot recalled. 'We were trying to pay tribute to Kerry and the others for going above and beyond the call of duty. The Silver Star is always a big deal." [Tour of Duty, 2004, Brinkley; p. 294] � 
Al French says "He is lying about his record." Al French was NOT a crewmate of John Kerry's
Here is proof that Al French is a LIAR:
OregonLive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/front_page/109360837947360.xml
Kerry's Not Lying And Neither Are the People That Back Up Kerry's Military Actions:
the U.S. Navy
Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Commander U.S. Naval Forces in Vietnam
Admiral John Hyland Commander in Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet
Presidential Historian Douglas Brinkley
the Boston Globe
James Rassmann and the Crewmates of PCF-44 & PCF 94.
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Louis Letson says : "I know John Kerry is lying about his first purple heart, because I treated him for that injury." Louis Letson, Now Part of the Republican Veterans Efforts to Smear Kerry, WAS NOT the Doctor That Signed Kerry's Sick Call Sheet and Was NOT a Kerry Crewmate
Letson Offers NO PROOF He Treated Kerry. Despite Letson's claims to have treated Kerry, he is not listed on any document as having treated Kerry after the 12/2/68 firefight. Offering only an account of dates and places-which is readily available in Kerry's biography and media accounts-Lester has produced nothing to verify his treatment of Kerry. Another Doctor Signed Kerry's Sick Call Sheet. Regarding Dr. Letson's recollection of Mr. Kerry's wound, Michael Meehan, a campaign spokesman, noted that a different person, J. C. Carreon, had signed the "sick call sheet" summarizing treatment of the injury, and asked, "Who is this guy? How do we know that he was the doctor who treated him?" The aides produced several veterans to attest to Mr. Kerry's bona fides. [New York Times, 5/4/04]
Letson Didn't Record His Memories of Vietnam Until Kerry's Emergence in 2003.
"Letson says that last year, as the Democratic campaign began to heat up, he told friends that he remembered treating one of the candidates many years ago. In response to their questions, Letson says, he wrote down his recollections of the time." [National Review Online, 5/4/04] � 
Van O'Dell says :� "John Kerry lied to get his Bronze Star. I know. I was there. I saw what happened." Van O'Dell was NOT a crewmate of John Kerry's
The Simple Truth: John Kerry was nominated for the Bronze Star by James Rassmann and eyewitness accounts, official naval documents and independent analyses all state that Kerry and his crew were under fire on the day in question. Official Naval documents available to the public at the Naval Historical Center in Washington, DC and available at www.JohnKerry.com include the after action reports, also known as "spot reports." These reports contain the details of the four boats involved in these actions on March, 13. 1969-including Kerry's boat PCF-94. These reports contain specific details of time, personnel, combat action and even maps. These report specifically detail the boats involved receiving, "HEAVY A/W (automatic weapons) AND S/A (small arms) FROM BOTH BANKS. FIRECONTINUED FOZNABOUT 5000 METERS."
Kerry's injury report for this action, also available at the Naval Historical Center in Washington DC, reads:
KERRY, JOHN F., USN WOUNDED IN ACTION - 13 March 1969 vicinity of Song Bay Hap, South Vietnam. Received shrapnel wounds in the left buttocks and contusions on the right forearm when a mine detonated close to PCF-94 while engaged in operations on river. CONDITIONS AND PROGNOSIS EXCELLENT. RESULT OF HOSTILE ACTION
The Boston Globe, which has repeatedly criticized John Kerry for any exaggeration or misstatement for the past 30 years, did their own investigation into Kerry's military career. The Globe wrote in their book, "John F. Kerry; A Complete Biography by the Boston Globe Reporters Who Know Him Best", that a mine blast threw James Rassmann into the water and made him "a bobbing target as he dodged the bullets whizzing around him." [p.106]
Eyewitness account from James Rassmann also detail the fact that PCF-94 and other boats were under fire. In March of 2004, Rassmann, a registered Republican who had not seen Kerry in more than 30 years before their reunion in Iowa this year, recalled the following: "Viet Cong snipers fired at him, and Rassmann submerged over and over to avoid being hit. The bullets came from both banks, and Rassmann had nowhere to go. He began thinking his time had come, but the fifth time he came up, he saw the convoy had turned around. Kerry had ordered the boats back to pick up the man overboard. Kerry's boat, under heavy fire, sidled up to the struggling soldier. Rassmann tried to scramble up a cargo net at the bow but was too exhausted to make it all the way. He clung to the net as bullets whizzed past." [Los Angeles Times, 3/13/04]
Kerry's Bronze Star citation recounts the events of that day and include this sentence, "In addition, all units began receiving small arms fire and automatic weapons fire from both banks." Versions of this citation were signed by the Secretary of the Navy and the Commander of U.S. Naval Forces in Vietnam. This citation is available for the public to read at www.JohnKerry.com.
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� "His account of what happened and what actually happened are the difference between night and day." Jack Chenowith was NOT a crewmate of John Kerry's
� Mysterious Vet Named Chenoweth Appears Out of No Where to Accuse U.S. Navy & Fellow Vietnam Vets of Lying: Its Not Kerry's Account on the Bronze Star Citation-It's the Account of the U.S. Navy, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Commander U.S. Naval Forces in Vietnam and backed up by Presidential Historian Douglas Brinkley, the Boston Globe, James Rassmann and the Crewmate of PCF-44 & PCF 94.
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� "John Kerry has not been honest." Roy Hoffmann was NOT a crewmate of John Kerry's
� "Hoffman acknowledged he had no first-hand knowledge to discredit Kerry's claims to valor and said that although Kerry was under his command, he really didn't know Kerry much personally." [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5/7/04]
Hoffman's Boss Awarded Kerry Silver Star & Bronze Star: "Captain Roy Hoffman" was Admiral Zumwalt's "trusty aide."
This is What Zumwalt Said About Kerry: "KERRY's calmness, professionalism and great personal courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." [Kerry Bronze Star Citation; www.JohnKerry.com]
Former Senator Bob Kerrey Described Roy Hoffman as "The Classic Body Count Guy"
Hoffmann was a cigar-chomping officer who brandished an M-16 assault rifle and wore a revolver when he visited troops in the field. "He was the classic body-count guy," Kerrey says. "Bunkers destroyed, hooches destroyed, sort of scorekeeper." [New York Times Magazine, 4/29/01]
Hoffman Thought His Rules of Engagement in Vietnam Were "Too Restrictive"
In the summer of 1968, Hoffmann complained to his superiors in Pearl Harbor that the prevailing rules of engagement were too constrictive. "This was war," Hoffmann said in an interview last month. "This wasn't Sunday school." He made what he said was a pro forma request for looser rules, which was granted. Previously, Hoffmann said, military personnel had not been permitted to fire unless they were fired upon. Under the new rules, he said, they could attack if they felt threatened. "I told them you not only have authority, I damned well expect action," Hoffmann recalled. "If there were men there and they didn't kill them or capture them, you'd hear from me." [New York Times Magazine, 4/29/01]
Hoffman Described by Fellow Vets as "Hotheaded", "Bloodthirsty" and "Egomaniacal"
"Interviews with various Swift boat veterans turned up descriptions of Hoffman as 'hotheaded,' 'bloodthirsty,' and 'egomaniacal'." [Tour of Duty, Brinkley, 2004, p. 105]
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� "He lacks the capacity to lead" Adrian Lonsdale was NOT a crewmate of John Kerry's
Adrian Lonsdale in 1996:
"As far as I was concerned, the war was won over there in that part for that period. And it was mainly won because of the bravado and the courage of the young officers that ran the boats, the SWIFT boats and the Coast Guard cutters and Senator Kerry was no exception." [Kerry for Senate Press Conference, 10/27/96]
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� "When the chips were down, you could not count on John Kerry." Larry Thurlow was NOT a crewmate of John Kerry's
Thurlow's Statements Do Not Fit With History - Says Navy is Lying?
On the day Kerry pulled Rassmann from the water, "Larry Thurlow had maneuvered his PCF-51 over by this time and he hopped aboard PCF-3 to offer assistance. The boat was in shambles but they were still shooting too hard to assess any damage" "BOATS RECEIVED HEAVY A/W [automatic weapons] & S/A [small arms] FROM BOTH BANKS��ALL BOATS AND MSF RETURNED FIRE��PCF-94 [Kerry's boat] PICKED UP MSF ADVISOR WHO WENT OVERBOARD��PCF-94 TOWED PCF-3." [Tour of Duty, Brinkley, 2004, p. 314; U.S. Navy After Action Report: http://www.johnkerry.com/pdf/jkmilservice/SpotReports_March1969.pdf]
Larry Thurlow Even Praised Kerry Despite Coming From Different Backgrounds:
"John was sharp as a tack... But he came from a background most of us couldn't understand." [Tour of Duty, Brinkley, 2004 p. 300]
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� "John Kerry is no war hero." Bob Elder was NOT a crewmate of John Kerry's
Kerry's Silver Star Citation:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Coastal Division ELEVEN engaged in armed conflict with Viet Cong insurgents in An Xuyen Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 28 February 1969."
Kerry's Bronze Star Citation:
"For heroic achievement while serving with Coastal Division ELEVEN engaged in armed conflict with Viet Cong communist aggressors in An Xuyen Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 13 March 1969."
These citations are available for the public to read at www.JohnKerry.com
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� "John Kerry betrayed the men and women he served with in Vietnam." Shelton White was NOT a crewmate of John Kerry's
Jim Rassmann, Says Kerry Risked His Life to Save Him:
"Rassmann was 21 at the time, a Special Forces lieutenant in charge of a company of American and Chinese fighters. On that day, they traveled on a convoy of five patrol boats led by the 25-year-old Kerry, a Navy lieutenant - and they were on the run, being chased down the Bay Hap River by enemy soldiers firing guns and rockets. The group had already lost one soldier that day. As they sped down the river, one boat was blown out of the water, and then another. An explosion wounded Kerry in the arm and threw Rassmann into the river. Rassmann dove to the bottom to avoid being run over by the other boats. When he surfaced, he saw the convoy had gone ahead. Viet Cong snipers fired at him, and Rassmann submerged over and over to avoid being hit. The bullets came from both banks, and Rassmann had nowhere to go. He began thinking his time had come, but the fifth time he came up, he saw the convoy had turned around. Kerry had ordered the boats back to pick up the man overboard. Kerry's boat, under heavy fire, sidled up to the struggling soldier. Rassmann tried to scramble up a cargo net at the bow but was too exhausted to make it all the way. He clung to the net as bullets whizzed past. 'Next thing I knew, John came out in the middle of all this,' Rassmann says. 'I couldn't believe it. He was going to get killed. He ran to the edge, reached over with his good arm [Kerry had been wounded in his right arm] and pulled me over the lip.' Rassmann later recommended Kerry for the Silver Star, and was upset when the Army instead awarded Kerry a lesser Bronze Star with a 'V' for valor." [Los Angeles Times, 3/13/04]
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� "He dishonored his country. He most certainly did." Joe Ponder was NOT a crewmate of John Kerry's
Kerry's Silver Star Citation:
"His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Kerry's Bronze Star Citation:
"KERRY's calmness, professionalism and great personal courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
These citations are available for the public to read at www.JohnKerry.com
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� "He betrayed all his shipmates. He lied before the Senate." Grant Hibbard was NOT a crewmate of John Kerry's
Kerry's Crewmates Are "All Fiercely Loyal"
"Vietnam crewmates, [are] all fiercely loyal to John Kerry." [AP, 7/29/04] Just This Week, General Tommy Franks Came to Kerry's Defense on Sean Hannity's Show.
When pressed by conservative talk show host Sean Hannity, retired General and Former Commander in Chief of Central Command, Tommy Franks believed Kerry's summary of what other soldiers had told him about unfortunate actions by a few U.S. soldiers in Vietnam: "I'm not sure that -- that activities like that didn't take place. In fact, quite the contrary. I'm sure that they did." [Fox News, Hannity & Colmes, 8/3/04]
Click on the logo below for impartial FactCheck.org's evaluations :
Update: Man Kerry Rescued Calls Swift Boat Ad False: Gives Vivid Account of Rescue Under Enemy Fire
08.10.2004
In an Aug. 10 opinion piece in the conservative Wall Street Journal , Jim Rassmann -- the man Kerry rescued to win the Bronze Star -- says the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ad was "launched by people without decency" who are "lying" and "should hang their heads in shame."
We have updated our article to include Rassmann's vivid account of his rescue. It flatly contradicts the Kerry accusers and says Kerry was under fire, and wounded by the blast that threw Rassmann into the water:
Rassmann said that after the first explosion that disabled PCF-3:
Rassmann: 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. When I surfaced, all the swift boats had left, and I was alone taking fire from both banks. To avoid the incoming fire I repeatedly swam under water as long as I could hold my breath, attempting to make it to the north bank of the river. I thought I would die right there. The odds were against me avoiding the incoming fire and, even if I made it out of the river, I thought I thought I'd be captured and executed. Kerry must have seen me in the water and directed his driver, Del Sandusky, to turn the boat around. Kerry's boat ran up to me in the water, bow on, and I was able to climb up a cargo net to the lip of the deck. But, because I was nearly upside down, I couldn't make it over the edge of the deck. This left me hanging out in the open, a perfect target. John, already wounded by the explosion that threw me off his boat, came out onto the bow, exposing himself to the fire directed at us from the jungle, and pulled me aboard.
Rassmann said he recommended Kerry for the Silver Star for that action, and learned only later that the Bronze Star had been awarded instead. "To this day I still believe he deserved the Silver Star for his courage," he wrote. Rassmann described himself as a retired lieutenant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. "I am a Republican, and for more than 30 years I have largely voted for Republicans," Rassmann said. But he said Kerry "will be a great commander in chief."
"This smear campaign has been launched by people without decency," Rassmann said. "Their new charges are false; their stories are fabricated, made up by people who did not serve with Kerry in Vietnam."
Pulitzer Prize Winning Series Further Backs Kerry.
In April of 2004, the Toledo Blade was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for their series detailing the atrocities committed by a few American soldiers in Vietnam. The series was based upon the Tiger Force which operated for several months in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. [http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=SRTIGERFORCE]
� 
� "I served with John Kerry. John Kerry cannot be trusted." Bob Hildreth was NOT a crewmate of John Kerry's
� But Jim Wasser Was: "If John Kerry came to us and said he had one more mission and we're going to hell, he'd have a full crew" -- Jim Wasser [Dallas Morning News, 7/29/04]
http://www.johnkerry.com/about/john_kerry/military_records.html
John Kerry's Official Naval Records
John Kerry's After-Action Combat Reports
The Command History for Coastal Division 11 for 1969
Military Service Awards [pdf: 1.3MB]This file contains documents on the awarding of John Kerry's military service awards: 3 Purple Hearts, 1 Bronze Star, and 1 Silver Star.
Acceptance of Discharge Naval Reserve [pdf: 101kb]
Background Information [pdf: 354kb]
Bronze Star [pdf: 301kb]
Bupers Orders To Gridley [pdf: 109kb]
Change of Duty [pdf: 507kb]
DD214 [pdf: 361kb]
DD215 (correction to DD214) [pdf: 113kb]
Duty Recommendation [pdf: 163kb]
Emergency Data [pdf: 1.22MB]
Enlistment Contract [pdf: 217kb]
Enlistment Photo [pdf: 223kb]
Fitness Reports [pdf: 4.68MB]
Honorable Discharge From Reserve [pdf: 111kb]
Leave Record [pdf: 319kb]
National Defense Service Medal [pdf: 97.6kb]
Naval Messages [pdf: 470kb]
Naval OCS Report [pdf: 108kb]
Nuclear Weapons Training Certificate [pdf: 340kb]
Office Order Memos [pdf: 594kb]
Officer Candidate Agreement [pdf: 263kb]
Order to Officer Candidate [pdf: 149kb]
Pay Entry Base Date [pdf: 113kb]
Personnel Casualty Report [pdf: 577kb]
Presidential Unit Citation [pdf: 141kb]
Purple Heart #1 Citation [pdf: 98.3kb]
Purple Heart #2 Citation [pdf: 98.3kb]
Purple Heart #3 Citation [pdf: 103kb]
Qualifications Questionnaire [pdf: 350kb]
Recommendations For Next [pdf: 238kb]
Record of Discharge [pdf: 165kb]
Release From Active Duty [pdf: 537kb]
Report of Home of Record [pdf: 252kb]
Request For History of Service [pdf: 136kb]
Request For Swiftboat Duty [pdf: 122kb]
Research Sheet F4-15 [pdf: 187kb]
Reserve Office Appointment [pdf: 268kb]
Security Clearances [pdf: 1.10MB]
Service_Record [pdf: 98.9kb]
Servicemans Life Insurance [pdf: 183kb]
Silver Star [pdf: 311kb]
Statement of Service 1967 [pdf: 144kb]
Temporary Orders and Ranks [pdf: 1.73MB]
Thrice Wounded Reassignment [pdf: 112kb]
Top Secret Clearance [pdf: 483kb]
Training School Record [pdf: 138kb]
Transfer To Standby Reserve [pdf: 230kb]
Travel Payment Order [pdf: 86.3kb]
Vietnam Service Medal [pdf: 174kb]
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