This article really has me confused. I had heard from O'Neill and perhaps someone else in the anti-Kerry group that two of the guys who were supporting Kerry (The Swift Boat soldiers ON his boat) were with him a week or less. Are these guys against him really liars or is that just this man's opinion. I thought I had the right story but now I am wondering. However, the fact that Kerry waffled on his Christmas in Cambodia story is more than enough info for me to know that he is a liar.
You're only confused because the article was written by David Hackworth...a genuine war hero who also has the misfortune to be a world-class a&&hole!
-Toonces
From published accounts:
http://www.swiftvets.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1728
Kerry had the 44 boat from 6 Dec 68 until no later than 28 Jan 69. He spent 1 week in COSDIV 11 before being transfered with the boat to COSDIV 13.
He was transferred back to COSDIV 11 and took over the 94 boat about 29 Jan 69 and was relieved on 13 Mar 69
So he was with 5 total crew for about 7 weeks and the 2nd crew of 5 for about 6 weeks.
So barring transfers, that's no more 10 crewmen he would served on a boat with. 1 is dead, 1 is opposed to him which leaves 8. Other than Fred Short, an outspoken supporter who apparently served with Kerry for the grand sum of one day replacing Alston on 28 Feb 69 (the Silver Star day)
The media cannot even get close to keeping this story straight.