Whoa swiftboats were dangerous as hell. Maybe not as much as PT’s in the Pacific but close. You don’t know the full story.
Kerry was a suck up to the Kennedys and they knew some admiral. Swiftboats were a BS coastal thing that appeared to be a very safe gig so Kerry jumped on that. Well - somebody changed the duty for swiftboats and told them they had to go up rivers etc - see Apoc Now movie.
Kerry freaked out, scoured the manual and found 3 purple hearts gave you a trip back state side. He probably stabbed himself with the screwdrivers on the boat.
Not knocking SBs, just Kerry. I know they are tough duty especially in the narrow waterways in VN. Had a friend that did duty on the hovercraft they tried out there.
LOL all true plus some sacks of rice exploded and he had some grains embedded in his but