Certainly shoots holes in Kerry’s story.
I wouldn't get too wrapped up in the comment that Kerry’s boat fled. For a foot soldier at least, if you get caught in an ambush the best way to get out of it is to sometimes run out of it. Immediately stopping and shooting back keeps you in the kill zone that has already been predetermined by the enemy that launched the attack. Immediate action could be: run through the kill zone, especially if you are at the front of the ambush area, turn back and support the guys caught in the line of fire. If Kerry’s boat fled and then came back, that may have been the correct course of action.
Kerry served his country in combat. I have nothing negative to say about that. He did more than most. Kerry’s exaggerations of his heroics are just ridiculous. I have found that those that brag about their heroics are almost always exaggerating. Seems to be the case here.
Excuse me..but 3 months out of a 12 month tour is hardly "more than most" especially the 50,000 plus that made the ultimate sacrifice.
Kerry's job as commander of the boat was to assess the risk. He was the only one who came to the conclusion he was in danger and fled. None of the other commanders fled after cover fire by the remaining boats showed nobody firing back.
It strongly implies cowardice. If Kerry is indeed the source of the enemy fire portion of the recommendations, it implies he may have been covering up that cowardice by...what else....exaggerating the circumstances and thus his own heroism.
Kerry served his country in combat. Ok
Kerry came home and lied about his fellow soldiers. What about that? Did he have to? NO! But did he? YES!
Kerry was booted out of Vietnam, he was ticked about it, he came home and purposely destroyed honorable Vets. He discussed assassinations of U.S. Senators for heaven's sake!
What is wrong with you?
The correct course of action is to basically circle the wagons around the wounded vessel. By fleeing you leave the disabled boat in the open so that whoever is on the shore has a "sitting duck" target.
The reason they travelled in groups was so that if one boat were attacked, the other boats would give cover to rescue the attacked boat. The protocol was for the boats to circle the damaged boat and to engage in laying down fire in all directions while attempting to rescue the crew from the damaged boat. By fleeing, Kerry cut off at least one direction in which the other boats could lay down fire. He also reduced the number of guns available to lay down cover fire for the rescuers.
Generally, the "Award" describes Action in which the Recipient KILLED someone.
Most Soldiers are NOT PROUD of their "Kills."
Most "Medal Recipients" WILL NOT DISCUSS the "Circumstances" under Which They were awarded a Medal.
The Contrast between Legitimate "Medal Recipients" & Mr Kerry's Actions is STARK!!
IF "Mr Kerry" were a "True, Medal-Recipient War Hero," He would have "Kept His Mouth Shut!!"
Sorry, Guys,--John Kerry's "Heroism" SMELLS!!!
Doc
Kerry was in Vietnam as a naval officer. Whether he served his country or not while there remains open to debate, especially considering that others there asked him to leave after he got his third PH and could get out. He left the next day. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link and his fellow officers located it pretty quickly.
"Kerry served his country in combat. I have nothing negative to say about that. He did more than most. Kerry’s exaggerations of his heroics are just ridiculous. I have found that those that brag about their heroics are almost always exaggerating. Seems to be the case here."
I have alot negative to say. He aided the enemy, he has blood on his hands, he is a traitor to his fellow soldiers, he is a liar. He cannot be allowed to be the leader of our troops.