Fact check: Kerry vs. swift boat vets
12:29 AM EDT on Tuesday, August 10, 2004
A group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth has launched an ad accusing John Kerry of lying about his military service. The group is focusing on whether he deserved his three Purple Hearts and other medals. The Kerry campaign calls the ad a typical Republican attack. Here is an examination of the people behind the ad, the points they make and information from other sources that disputes their allegations:
The ad implies that the veterans served with John Kerry, but none of the 13 men featured were crew members on Patrol Craft Fast 94, or the other boats that Lt. John Kerry commanded.
However, several were on boats that accompanied Mr. Kerry's on various missions, including three men on the mission for which Mr. Kerry received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. The men say Mr. Kerry either exaggerated or lied about the events that led to his medals and Purple Hearts. Several of the other men in the ad are former Navy officers who were in Mr. Kerry's chain of command.
I've been under the impression that the picture used in the swift vet ads (in which various men pictured speak) is of Kerry and fellow officers -- not crew. I could be wrong . . .