Posted on 08/18/2004 8:24:34 PM PDT by Callahan
Newly obtained military records of one of Sen. John F. Kerry's most vocal critics, who has accused the Democratic presidential candidate of lying about his wartime record to win medals, contradict his own version of events.
In newspaper interviews and a best-selling book, Larry Thurlow, who commanded a Navy Swift boat alongside Kerry in Vietnam, has strongly disputed Kerry's claim that the Massachusetts Democrat's boat came under fire during a mission in Viet Cong-controlled territory on March 13, 1969. Kerry won a Bronze Star for his actions that day.
But Thurlow's military records, portions of which were released yesterday to The Washington Post under the Freedom of Information Act, contain several references to "enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire" directed at "all units" of the five-boat flotilla. Thurlow won his own Bronze Star that day, and the citation praises him for providing assistance to a damaged Swift boat "despite enemy bullets flying about him."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Kerry has been a political animal from the age of 10. He used to rub elbows with the kennedy's and other demo garbage. He knew the game. Kennedy was the same, he didn't deserve his accolades. He should have had a Captains Mast for what happened.
FWIW - I have 2+ rows of ribbons, and have never read the commendation to go with any of them, the only reason I know I have them is from my DD214. In fact I had a few more than I knew when I got out.
The citation would be a condensed version of the report submitted of the mission, along with any witness statements. Thurlow may have contributed to describing what transpired on the mission, but he would not likely have had a direct input to the award process.
I agree with you. Kerry's lies about the Medals have hurt all of us.
Remember that Kerry also lied when he came back from Nam, and hurt all Vets with his lies, and especially the POW because they were tortured with his lies.
The American people were also hurt because Kerry pitted everyone against each other for his own personnel political gain.
I hope that Kerry burns in hell for the harm that he has done.
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How many people saw the thread on the Hedge Fund Mistress thread? Former Kerry Lover Launches Website And MAN she's more whacked out than Teresa!
The Washington Post used Kerry's dishonesty and, in particular, his dishonesty about Nixon and Cambodia as a springboard from which to launch their hatefest against a President which caused him to resign.
If the public figures this out, the Post is toast.
dobbsm@washpost.com
Re: my previous email...sorry I missed the paragraph in your article regarding after action reports. Am I to understand from your article that absolutely no after-action report exists for this episode?
Beyond that, I still feel that the citation is not a piece of primary documentation. Your article, while presented fairly in my opinion, puts too much emphasis (also in my opinion) on an anonymous(?) document. Any help?
1. Bicycling across Russian Checkpoint in Germany
2. Christmas in Cambodia
3. Anti-War Hippie days <-- WHILE STILL A NAVY RESERVIST!
4. Meeting with communists
5. Entering politics <-- Somebody needs to dig HERE!
6. Annulment of marriage
7. Absentee Senator
8. POW/MIA cover-up
9. Adopting Bob Kerrey's record as a Senator
10. HIS ENTIRE CAMPAIGN 2004
Folks from Massachusetts aren't very selective about their candidates for Senate, now are they?
Hope he has a good lawyer... maybe Edwards will help...
IIRC he got the "V"; citations are on his website (even if they are signed by Reagan's Navy Sec'y).
Because he probably didn't read it. I can honestly say I haven't read many of my medal citations either. I have also written 4 bronze star citations, and know for a fact that the recipients didn't read them or know what they said until they recieved the medal. Depending on when the medal is awarded, you may not ever read it. Especially when you are in a combat zone. Medals are awarded by folks who recognize your achievements. Not by folks trying to have their achievements recognized. I have also been submitted for a medal I didn't think I deserved. But that isn't my call. It is the call of the person who submitted me. After the medal was submitted, it was screened and reduced to a more minor award. That is fairly common. None of it is up to the person being recommended for the medal. (unless he submitted himself)
I believe the Swifties contend that Kerry wrote or significantly influenced that AAR, and that's the crux of the issue. I want to know if there are other AARs???
Interesting that the Post completely ignored the book until now and leads with this. I think the MSM would have served Kerry better by ignoring the issue. I think the Swift boat vets have gotten on a lot of folks' nerves. First you had the rabid panicked attacks on the talk shows, still nothing from MSM, then newpspers in smaller markets started asking questions, and now the Post, one of the linch pins of MSM, has entered the fray with a feeble attempt to confuse things. Look for the slimes to trumpet the same thing.
Looks to me like a lot of the Kerry mafia behind the scenes are worried. They have to be scrutinizing the book looking for any possible angle. Keep in mind that anything they can't twist has probably been found to be irrefutable.
Hostile fire was not the basis for Thurlow's Bronze Star. You can receive a Bronze Star without hostile fire, i.e., sans a combat "V" distinguishing device. I am sure that Thurlow didn't see Kerry's citation or even know about the circumstances for which it was awarded until Tour of Duty came out. The SBVFT are questioning Kerry's Bronze Medal citation for a number of reasons. He took off while everyone else stayed to protect PCF 3 and he received a medal for picking someone out of the water. Thurlow's actions went beyond that per my earlier post.
I sent this to a local newspaper tonight.
Every document requested from President Bush has been released.
John Kerry has avoided releasing any of his official documents relating to:
Come on already, we even have President Bush’s DENTAL records from the National Guard!
If anyone asks a question about the “wrong” candidate they are attacked and smeared by the news media. Who is the media working for in this country? This isn’t the news media of my father’s generation. What has happened to them? Where have they gone? Today’s news media seem to be working in “lock step” with each other for an agenda that is not in the best interest of our great country, America. The people of America are starting to wake up and they do not like what they are seeing! The news media must take note of this NOW before it is too late for them.
Not that I know of. Which doesn't mean it hasn't been, but it's not bloody likely and if it was it's spun like this article is.
also note the post suggests Thurlow should file a 180, not Kerry! it's Kerry's report that was filed in these regards.
This could be why Rassman insist they were under fire. If I was in the water after striking a mine and suppression fire was being laid down from several other Swift Boats, I would swear to it too :-)
I will see if I can find the transcript of what the Kerry crew member said and post it!
You're righ they did have to sue
That's why this all smells funny
John Lehman was not the Secretary of the Navy in 1968
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