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Politics : Don't Blame Me, I Voted For Kerry -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Poet who wrote (40701)	8/5/2004 6:15:44 PM
From: American Spirit	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 81568

Kerry releases military records Agencies Thursday April 22, 2004 Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry has responded to criticism of his service in the Vietnam War by publishing military records replete with bravery citations and high praise from his superiors. Mr Kerry's campaign website posted more than 130 pages from his naval record, documenting his training and experience in combat that earned him a Bronze Star, a Silver Star and three Purple Hearts During his four years of active duty, Mr Kerry received glowing evaluations that cited his maturity, intelligence and immaculate appearance. He was recommended for early promotion, and when he left the Navy in 1970 to run for Congress, his commanding officer said it was the navy's loss. His most harrowing experience came during the nearly five months he spent commanding a swiftboat, a 50-foot(15-meter)-long craft that could operate at high speeds in the rough waters of Vietnam's tributaries. "He frequently exhibited a high sense of imagination and judgement in planning operations against the enemy in the Mekong Delta," wrote Lieutenant Commander George Elliott, his commanding officer. "Involved in several enemy initiated fire fights, including an ambush during the Christmas truce, he effectively suppressed enemy fire and is unofficially credited with 20 enemy killed in action." On 28 February 1969, Mr Kerry's craft and two other boats came under heavy fire from the riverbanks. He ordered his units to turn into the ambush and sent men ashore after the enemy. According to the records, an enemy soldier holding a loaded rocket launcher sprang up within ten feet of Mr Kerry's boat and fled. Mr Kerry leapt ashore, chased and killed the man. Mr Kerry and his men chased or killed all enemy soldiers in the area and returned to the boat only to come under fire from the opposite bank as they began to pull away. He again beached his boat and led a party ashore in pursuit, and they successfully silenced the shooting. Later, with the boats again under fire, Mr Kerry initiated a heavy response that killed 10 Viet Cong and wounded another with no casualties to his own men. He won the Silver Star "for gallantry and intrepidity in action" that day. Two weeks later, Mr Kerry's role in another firefight earned a Bronze Star for heroic achievement and the third Purple Heart that would result in his reassignment out of Vietnam. He was commanding one of five boats on patrol on 13 March 1969 when two mines detonated almost simultaneously near his craft. Advertiser links Volunteer Internationally Experience a country from a whole new perspective by signing... crossculturalsolutions.org Volunteer in 24 Countries Worldwide Volunteer travel and TEFL training. Projects in... hypertracker.com Borgen Project Join the movement to make poverty, famine and other global... borgenproject.org Full coverage US elections 2004 Weblog US Vote 2004 Interactive graphic State by state guide to the elections Archived articles US elections 2004: archived articles More US news and analysis Special report: United States Special report: US elections 2000 News guide The US media Useful links Democratic National Committee Republican National Committee -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Printable version \| Send it to a friend \| Save story