Latest Kerry "Self-Proclaiming Hero" Problems! Swift Boat Rescue Story Springs Another Leak!

Rassman was on the back of Kerry's boat, eating a cookie. One of the other boats in the group hit a mine. Kerry, thinking they were under attack, gunned the engine, throwing Rassman into the water. Kerry left the scene, heading to deeper water away from shore. When he saw that the other boats hadn't left and in fact were fishing men from the mined boat out of the water, he realized there was no attack and came back to pick up Rassman. Rassman could not get into the boat by way of the netting on the side of the boat so Kerry reached down and picked him up.

That's the story according to Van Odell, a gunner on one of the other boats. That's not the story according to Kerry who wrote in his report they were under attack and made no mention that any of the other boats were plucking men out of the water.

I cannot believe you people have such 30-year-old hard feelings.

One account of Kerry's Bronze Star citation (this an't no sh't!)

Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry was serving as an Officer-in-Charge of Inshore Patrol Craft 94, one of five boats conducting a Sealords operation in the Bay Hap River. While exiting the river, a mine detonated under another Inshore Patrol Craft and almost simultaneously, another mine detonated wounding Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry in the right arm and causing his previously wounded left buttock to bleed. In addition, all units began receiving small arms and automatic weapons fire from the river banks he quickly left the other boats and area behind for safety. When Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry discovered his chocolate cookie eating passenger had fallen overboard, and it was now safe, he returned upriver to assist. Imagining man in the water was receiving sniper fire from both banks. Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry directed his gunners to provide suppressing fire, while from an exposed position on the bow, bleeding from his left buttock and in pain and with disregard for his personal safety, he pulled the man aboard. Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry then directed his boat to return to and assist the other damaged boat to safety. Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry's calmness, professionalism and great personal courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Would you want a permanent record to read like this? Of course not, he had to lie!

Can't we all just get along, and let this slowly fade away?

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.