Kerry reunites with another Vietnam vet

[kskiska]

DAYTON, Ohio - It happened again. John Kerry reunited this week with another former seaman with whom he shared a harrowing night 35 years ago in a dark finger of water in Vietnam.

Patrick Runyon, a 58-year-old shipping clerk from Eaton, Ohio, showed up at a local union headquarters where Kerry was to speak and reintroduced himself to the Massachusetts senator. Runyon wanted to find out whether Kerry recalled their single nighttime mission as well as he did.

"He remembered quite a bit of it," Runyon said in an interview about his private meeting with Kerry.

It was the second time in five weeks that a figure from Kerry's Vietnam past has surprised him on the campaign trail. In Iowa last month, Kerry had an emotional reunion with Jim Rassmann, a former Green Beret whom Kerry had pulled from the water during a fierce firefight between Swift boats and Viet Cong. That episode earned Kerry a Bronze Star.

Vietnam veterans have become a staple of Kerry's campaign retinue, providing a reminder of his days as a gunboat skipper and a link to average Americans for a candidate otherwise known for his patrician bearing and privileged upbringing.

more…
http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/7992183.htm

[Darwin2002]

1. so where are bush's buddies from the alabama national guard?

wonder when they will start showing up to remember old times wiht the texas souffle?

[JI7]

2. HAHAHHAHA

aren't there some vets in alabama who are offering some money to anyone with proof that bush served ? they might as well offer 10 billion dollars since i'm pretty sure nobody will show up.

[kskiska]

3. Problem is, *'s buddies would've been as high as *

and don't remember those good times, or *, for that matter.

[Claire Beth]

13. They are too busy...

searching for "WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION"

[Yavin4]

16. Mary Jane and China White Have Fond Memories of Bush

and some great stories to tell.

[0007]

44. The Texas Souffle, LOL!!

I wonder if all his buddies from the Texas Guard and the Alabama Guard have a big get together every now and then?

Has anyone every ask junior where his old buddy James R. Bath is keeping himself now days?

[lebkuchen]

62. Kinda weird that no one has even claimed to have flown with him.

Did the Chimp even learn the ropes of an attitude gauge? I hope a reporter will do another impromptu * quiz, this time on aviation rather than geographic leaders (the one where Bush couldn't name the leader of Pakistan--let's hope to God he can name him now).

[Submariner]

4. a couple of these surprises

during the Kerry campaign can't hurt. ABB!

[RedEarth]

5. Kerry is "The Real Deal" when it comes to military service

as opposed to george who spent his time drinking and doing drugs in Alabama.

[SinkingInTheRain]

6. How long did Kerry serve in Nam?

Was he there for years?

[madrchsod]

8. long enough

[SinkingInTheRain]

12. How long is that?

One month? Two? Five? Twelve?

Do you know and just being obtuse?

[alfredo]

27. He served less than a year, I think that was because of

his wounds. The guy got shot up, and came back for more.

[DemoTex]

19. A-damn-men brother!

.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

10. Less than a year, but long enough to...

...receive a Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V, and three awards of the Purple Heart for his service in combat.

A graduate of Yale University, John Kerry entered the Navy after graduation, becoming a Swift Boat officer, serving on a gunboat in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. From everyone I've talked to that did a tour on the river gunboats, that was some kind of tough duty.

[Claire Beth]

14. four months (n/t)

[SinkingInTheRain]

20. Why only four months?

Is there a reason he left early?

[Claire Beth]

24. The way I understood it was that....

Upon being wounded one could request to be sent back to the states. He had been wounded THREE times (shrapnel), ergo he made the request. Wise decision, I'd say.

[SinkingInTheRain]

28. What were the extent of his injuries?

My uncle had five purple hearts and they were as follows...

1) 7.62 FMJ round through left fibula.
2) Fragments from Huey impact with 70mm AA round into right shoulder.
3) Sliced chest from hand/hand knife fight with enemy.
4) Napalm burns to face from friendly fire.
5) Shattered leg from Huey autogyro controlled landing.

He stuck it out and his band of brothers are still with him.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

32. And that proves your uncle is 10 times the man Kerry is

Congratulations. Why don't you get out the penis measuring stick while you're at it.

:eyes:

[SinkingInTheRain]

38. I don't have a penis

Why do you ask about my penis that I don't have?

[Media_Lies_Daily]

52. The way you act, you should definitely have one....

...what's your problem with Kerry?

[Claire Beth]

35. thank your uncle for serving...

I guess after 4 months and 3 wounds, kerry decided to put in for the transfer. Kerry is STILL a hero and your uncle is, too.

[SinkingInTheRain]

39. I still want to know what injuries Kerry sustained

And so does my Uncle.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

53. Why don't you and your uncle do your own damn research...

...and whay don't you quit acting like a horse's ass?

[King_Crimson]

92. For the benefit of you and your uncle...

http://www.motherjones.com/news/update/2004/02/02_400.html Look at the comparison between Kerry and Pansy Ass!

[mobuto]

84. Kerry wanted to get out of Vietnam

He earned the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with Combat V, and was wounded three times. Not seriously, no, and he could have stayed on if he had wanted to.

But by that point, Kerry hated the Vietnam war and wanted to get the hell away. You can't ask any more of a man than what Kerry gave to the service.

[GregW]

85. Sounds like you uncle wasn't a very good soldier?

Sounds like he was a walking accident! I feel sorry for him, but am glad he served.

[Vitruvius]

90. More likely a very brave soldier who was in the thick of it.

Tho' he and SinkingInTheRain are 'way out-of-line in going after Kerry this way, that does not take away from the uncle's very brave service. And, like you, I am grateful to both SITR's uncle and to Mr. Kerry.

[DemoTex]

18. Standard tour of duty was 365 days, unless you were a Marine.

Marines, at least early-on, did 13 months. Lucky-Duckies! DemoTex did 365.

[trumad]

22. What the fuck is your point dude?

How long was Dubya there... ??

[SinkingInTheRain]

25. I don't care about Dubya

If I can't even ask about Kerry then there must be a serious problem here dude. My Uncle served 12 months with five purple hearts and he asked me why Kerry got out in four.

Why are you smacking me for asking a simple question dude?

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

26. 5 purple hearts? He could have left anytime after 3 for sure

He may say different now, but I bet he asked to go back.

Kerry made a very wise decision... 4 months on riverine patrol was like a year on the line.

[SinkingInTheRain]

33. No. He stayed because his brothers were still there.

Why did Kerry leave his brothers behind?

[Nevernose]

41. Mybe to keep MORE brothers from going? (n/t)

[bobbyboucher]

43. They were flying super-sonic,

at the treetops.

[SinkingInTheRain]

50. Nope.

A Huey does not do supersonic flight. The rotors could be spun supersonic and that's about it.

If you have a point then please make it instead of sounding like you have no clue.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

58. You're the one that has no clue, pal. Where do you personally get off...

...questioning anyone's service in the military, particularly those that served under combat conditions?

Let's talk for a while about your military experience...what did you do in the military, sport?

[sangh0]

66. Where does he get off?

Check his profile. He's already been gotten off (off from DU that is)

[Terran]

79. The Mods so rule!

:evilgrin:

[bobbyboucher]

60. Here's my point, you're wrong!

So far you haven't been right about anything, so let me know what YOUR point is. Otherwise, thanks for regurgitating the talking points that are known around here to be full of shit.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

54. Why are you smacking other people because you're too simple...

...to operate the computer you're using? I say again...do your own research.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

61. No, you can ask. But you seem to have an agenda

BTW, Kerry served for a year on a destroyer before VOLUNTEERING to go to fast boats.
So, he was already over his required time in theatre when he got his first PH.
Read.
Learn.
Listen.

[Bandit]

73. He served more than one tour.

His credentials are solid.

[madrchsod]

7. this is why Kerry

will win the election. there`s alot of vets sitting on the fence and Kerry is the real deal.these guys are my age and i know how they think. they`re just as worried about the not to distant future where we will be retiring and we don`t know if we`ll be as well off as our parents were. most of us have been screwed over in one form or another in the last 30 plus years and Kerry is maybe our last hope to at least offer some hope.we are starting to realize bush is a failure and a coward and he has no solutions.

[Frances]

9. My hsuband voted for Ronald Reagan

(That was before I knew him). He registered as a Democrat for the first time in his life last year.

He is a Korean War fighter pilot (unlike Bush he was shot at many times & his plane was hit once). Anyway, he's for Kerry.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

11. I appreciate your husband's service and his willingness to...

...help vote Junior out of office.

My Dad is a WWII vet (nose-gunner on a B-24 bomber), and he told me several months ago that what he had fought against in WWII had come to roost in Washington DC. He also voted GOP every election until 2000 when he voted for Gore...he recognized Junior for what he truly is long before 2000 arrived.

[seabeyond]

17. karry was in veitnam

what three, four months?

i dont think we have to be shy with honesty, i can honor that and sounds like he did a good job while there saved lives adn was good under extreme pressure

i dont want us to have to fidge with a story like the republicans do. the people deserve better.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

57. Do you have a problem with my post? Was I questioning anyone's...

...honesty other than Junior's?

WTF?

[Bandit]

75. Senator Kerry served more than one tour

He was stationed for a year In Theatre on a ship in South China Sea then was sent back In Theatre to River Patrol where he stayed for over four months and received more than one battle wound.

[diamond14]

76. Kerry served TWO tours...here's a list of his service dates (links)

TWO tours...

...at least ten months oversees...and stateside, as an admiral's aide in Brooklyn.....18 completed dangerous missions on a swiftboat in the Mekong Delta, the dense jungles of Vietnam...

Bronze Star, Silver Star, THREE Purple Hearts....people who question Kerry's service are scum....

------------------------------------------------

John Kerry's Vietnam Service Record:

February 18, 1966 – Kerry formally enlists in the U.S. Navy

August 22, 1966 – Kerry reports for Naval Officer Candidate School at the U.S. Naval Training Center in Newport, Rhode Island

December 16, 1966 – Kerry receives commission as an Ensign

January 3, 1967 – Kerry reports for duty at the Naval Schools Command at Treasure Island (CA)-Takes 10 week Officer Damage Control Course

March 22, 1967 – Reports to U.S. Fleet Anti-Air Warfare Training Center (CA). Receives training as a Combat Information Center Watch Officer.

June 8, 1967 – Kerry reports to USS Gridley-serves in several capacities

February 9, 1968 – USS Gridley departs for a Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment, to engage in operations in support of the Vietnam War. Ship spends time in the Gulf of Tonkin off North Vietnam, at Subic Bay in the Philippines and in Wellington, New Zealand

February 10, 1968 – Kerry requests duty in Vietnam He lists his first preference for a position as an officer in charge of a Swift Boat (designated PCF for Patrol Craft Fast), his second as an officer in a patrol boat (designated PBR, for Patrol Boat River) squadron

May 27, 1968 – USS Gridley sets sail for the US

June 6, 1968 – Kerry arrives in Long Beach the day after Senator Robert F. Kennedy is killed in Los Angeles

June 16, 1968 – Kerry promoted to Lieutenant, Junior Grade

July 20, 1968 – Kerry leaves Gridley for specialized training at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado, CA in preparation for service as commander of a Swift Boat. These unarmored, but heavily armed, fifty foot aluminum hulled patrol boats depended on speed and agility when engaging the enemy.




November 17, 1968 – Upon completion of his training, Kerry reports for duty to Coastal Squadron 1, Coastal Division 14, Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam.

December 1968 through January 1969 – Kerry commands PCF-44

December 2, 1968 – Kerry experiences first intense combat; receives first combat related injury.

December 6, 1968 – Kerry moved to Coastal Division 11 at An Thoi on Phu Quoc Island

December 13, 1968 – Kerry moved to Coastal Division 13, Cam Ranh Bay

December 24, 1968 – Kerry involved in combat during the Christmas Eve truce of 1968. The truce was three minutes old when mortar fire exploded around Lieutenant Kerry and his five-man crew. Reacting swiftly, John Kerry and his crew silenced the machine gun nest

January 22, 1969 – Kerry and other Swift boat commanders travel to Saigon for meeting with Adm. Elmo Zumwalt, Commander Naval Forces Vietnam (COMNAVFORV), and Gen. Creighton Abrams, Commander United States Military Assistance Command Vietnam (COMUSMACV)

Late January, 1969 – Kerry joined his 5 man crew on PCF-94




Late January through Early March, 1969 – Starting in late January 1969, this crew completed 18 missions over an intense and dangerous 48 days, almost all of them in the dense jungles of the Mekong Delta. Kerry's crew included engineman Eugene Thorson, later an Iowa cement mason; David Alston, then the crew's only African-American and today a minister in South Carolina; petty officer Del Sandusky of Illinois; rear gunner and quartermaster Michael Medeiros of California; and the late Tom Belodeau, who joined the crew fresh out of Chelmsford High School in Massachusetts. Others rotated in and out of the crew. The most intense action came during an extraordinary eight days of more than 10 firefights, remembered by Kerry's crew as the "days of hell."

February 20, 1969 – Kerry and crew involved in combat; Kerry receives second combat injury – Kerry earned his second Purple Heart after sustaining a shrapnel wound in his left thigh.

February 28, 1969 – For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Coastal Division ELEVEN engaged in armed conflict with Viet Cong insurgents in An Xuyen Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 28 February 1969. Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry was serving as Officer in Charge of Patrol Craft Fast 94 and Officer in Tactical Command of a three-boat mission. As the force approached the target area on the narrow Dong Cung River, all units came under intense automatic weapons and small arms fire from an entrenched enemy force less than fifty-feet away. Unhesitatingly, Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry ordered his boat to attack as all units opened fire and beached directly in front of the enemy ambushers. The daring and courageous tactic surprised the enemy and succeeded in routing a score of enemy soldiers. The PCF gunners captured many enemy weapons in the battle that followed. On a request from U.S. Army advisors ashore, Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry ordered PCFs 94 and 23 further up river to suppress enemy sniper fire. After proceeding approximately eight hundred yards, the boats again were taken under fire from a heavily foliated area and B-40 rocket exploded close aboard PCF-94; with utter disregard for his own safety and the enemy rockets, he again ordered a charge on the enemy, beached his boat only ten feet from the VC rocket position, and personally led a landing party ashore in pursuit of the enemy. Upon sweeping the area an immediate search uncovered an enemy rest and supply area which was destroyed. The extraordinary daring and personal courage of Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry in attacking a numerically superior force in the face of intense fire were responsible for the highly successful mission. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

March 13, 1969 – For heroic achievement while serving with Coastal Division ELEVEN engaged in armed conflict with Viet Cong communist aggressors in An Xuyen Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 13 March 1969. Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry was serving as Officer in Charge of Patrol Craft Fast 94, one of five boats conducting a SEA Lords operation in the Bay Hap River. While exiting the river, a mine detonated under another Inshore Patrol Craft and almost simultaneously, another mine detonated wounding Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry in the right arm. In addition, all units began receiving small arms and automatic weapons fire from the river banks. When Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry discovered he had a man overboard, he returned upriver to assist. The man in the water was receiving sniper fire from both banks. Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry directed his gunners to provide suppressing fire, while from an exposed position on the bow, his arm bleeding and in pain and with disregard for his safety, he pulled the man aboard. Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry then directed his boat to return and assist the other damaged boat to safety. Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry’s calmness, professionalism and great personal courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.

March 17, 1969 – The policy of Coastal Squadron One, the swift boat command, was to send home any individual who is wounded three times in action. After sustaining his third wound from enemy action n Vietnam, Kerry was granted relief under this policy.

Early April, 1969 – Kerry departs Vietnam

April 11, 1969 – Kerry reports for duty at the Military Sea Transportation Service, U.S. Atlantic Fleet in Brooklyn, NY.

January 1, 1970 – Kerry promoted to (full) Lieutenant

January 3, 1970 – Kerry requests discharge

March 1, 1970 – Kerry’s date of separation from Active Duty

April 29, 1970 – Kerry listed as Registrant who has completed service


http://www.boston.com/globe/nation/packages/kerry /

http://www.johnkerry.com

[fob]

89. Am I the only one who didn't make it through that without crying?

I'm not sure if it was due to the selflessness on Kerry's part or the subtext of how bush* cowarded his way out of going.

Edit: I take that back. As soon as I posted I knew the answer. I cried due to Kerry's selflessness and FOR bush*s cowardice.

Double Edit: Return to print out and make copies, thank you for posting

[DrWeird]

81. Busch was in a dentist's chiar

what thirty, fourty minutes?

[Claire Beth]

15. Thank your husband for serving

and also for registering as a democrat and being for Kerry. Our veterans should be treated with GREAT respect. It is tragic when an administration wants to cut benefits to those who have served. The Bush administration has no shame! damn them.

[metisnation]

49. Your husband is a true patriot

I thank him for his service..My Dad and Uncle went in 68'/69' respectvely. They hardly talk about it to this day. But they know that Kerry is the Real Deal like he says...anyways thank your husband for me.

:dem:

[SinkingInTheRain]

21. Only the Vets that protested will relate

There are many Vets that resent his actions while there were still POWs under threat.

[seabeyond]

23. he has to talk to them

one on one, and get it right.

there has been a lot of years that have gone by, history tells us, what was wrong in the war, and we need to honor the wiseness of the demonstrations, it is what made the pull out happen. without them, regardless of the pain of them, the war (police action) would have continued ot drag out longer and more die

we need to honor the history, the pows, the demonstators and the ones knee deep in the mud in all there mess, and yes, even in the animalistic behaviors that happened over there. that is what war creates

[alfredo]

36. I deal with vets every day. The military makes and breaks you.

I am still dealing with crap from those years and I wasn't in Vietnam.
My war was silent, and secret. I listened, and reported. I wanted to scream, but my war was silent.

Others had war stories to tell, mine had to stay inside. Most of us drank to keep the stories quiet. Too many did too good a job and drank themselves to death.

Even when the stories can be told, it isn't in us to speak, it just isn't done.



The pin is worn with the dagger facing the neck.

Kerry knows what all soldiers keep inside. He knows the pride, and the pain.

[roscoeroscoe]

64. ssg armstrong here, my dad served two tours in swift boats~

i haven't served in combat but i've served for 10 years. but my dad served. he's very modest about it. but from the very few comments he's related it was pretty freaky service. swift boats may as well have had big bull's eyes on 'em, they were a target for any kind of attack, any time.
the right's efforts to find some kind of way to criticize kerry is foolish and transparent. only the true belivers will fall for it. kerry, having served with courage and then come home and stood up to speak with the vietnam vets against the war, sums up the best kind of courage americans displayed on both sides of the issue. he's right there everywhere they look~~ it's really remarkable.
oddly enough, bush is on the wrong side everywhere you look too. back then, a priveledged, elite son, partying in a cushy slot while poor men died. now, even worse, a bad president who started a war on false pretenses.
the two of them sum up the contrasts of america in a stark and powerful way. kerry stands up for our best kinds of courage, bush for the worst cowerdice and opportunism.
anyone who votes for bush is deluded.

[diamond14]

68. hi 'roscoeroscoe'....welcome to DU...we're glad your came here

AND....we LOVE Veterans...thanks for your service, and I have lots of respect for your Dad too....

My cousin was KILLED in Vietnam, 19 years old HM3 Navy medic, Silver Star, Purple Heart DEAD...Vietnam Wall Panel 7E....and his Dad died from grief on the loss of his only son, just a few years later....


welcome....keep bringing your insights here....

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:


:hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi:


:toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:

[roscoeroscoe]

74. thanks!

very kind of you~`

[seabeyond]

96. everyone that gave info

on kerry's record i thank you. gosh it is so hard to know everything that is going on. all i was hearing was the 4 month period, (and that is cool enough for me, not here to judge any one in that battle, in youth) cause that is what people were wanting to represent as service in the mud battle, like they do with mccelland ? and getting a beer yet he was there in battle all the way around event, it doesnt change cause he had a beer and it is all just sick. but i am learning, more and more everyday

i thank all that provided the info. so many around me that dont have a clue, that i need to share this stuff with

and alfredo, what you shared, it touched my heart so many nights ago. love you. (i am just that kinda gal, feel love for someone i share) and i thank you

[Claire Beth]

42. You stated that very well! n/t

[falcon]

29. Protesting vets.

There were many of them including myself. The idea of us protesting the war as I thought was to get our brothers out of there BEFORE any more became POWS. Understand?

[Claire Beth]

30. He was trying to bring them HOME!

He didn't want to see anymore soldiers die!

[SinkingInTheRain]

34. The problem was that there were still POWs while Kerry was telling all

Stating in public that we tortured NVA and civilians while we had POWs in camp was not healthy for our POWs. Is that more clear?

[Claire Beth]

40. John McCain was one of them

and he came to Kerry's defense when *some* TRIED to attack Kerry's vietnam record. Not EVERY POW feels that way. McCain aligned himself in Kerry's defense and I'm sure there are many others. Telling the TRUTH to help end a disaster is courageous. How many MORE needed to die? Is that clear?

[bobbyboucher]

47. Nice try.

But you sound just like all the hate radio AM today. Kerry spoke the truth. I don't think he said we were torturing prisoners, he said we were doing bad, bad things in the field. Which was true. So were they.

Keep reaching though.

[sandnsea]

48. He fought for them too

Part of what he fought for was no peace agreement until every POW was brought home. Here's the Vets forum. Take it up with them.

http://forum.johnkerry.com//index.php?showforum=2

[Media_Lies_Daily]

56. Since we're all trying to be "clear", why don't you do a little research..

...on Kerry and his wounds and then come back with a full clip in your currently empty pistol?

[sandnsea]

45. Not true at all

I talk to vets all the time who didn't protest. Sometimes they start out tough, but when you remind them about Agent Orange, PTSD, and other things Kerry has fought for; they always stop and say they'll have to vote for him. Every single time.

[DisgustedTX]

31. With the influx of BUSHIES, you can tell they sense the end.

The "War (p)Resident" can not go mano y mano with Kerry.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

37. Absolutely-the Bush supporters are getting in their parting shots

as they go down in flames.

[diamond14]

46. Kerry served TWO tours....here's a list of his service dates

TWO tours...

...at least ten months oversees...and stateside, as an admiral's aide in Brooklyn.....18 completed dangerous missions on a swiftboat in the Mekong Delta, the dense jungles of Vietnam...

Bronze Star, Silver Star, THREE Purple Hearts....people who question Kerry's service are scum....

------------------------------------------------

John Kerry's Vietnam Service Record:

February 18, 1966 – Kerry formally enlists in the U.S. Navy

August 22, 1966 – Kerry reports for Naval Officer Candidate School at the U.S. Naval Training Center in Newport, Rhode Island

December 16, 1966 – Kerry receives commission as an Ensign

January 3, 1967 – Kerry reports for duty at the Naval Schools Command at Treasure Island (CA)-Takes 10 week Officer Damage Control Course

March 22, 1967 – Reports to U.S. Fleet Anti-Air Warfare Training Center (CA). Receives training as a Combat Information Center Watch Officer.

June 8, 1967 – Kerry reports to USS Gridley-serves in several capacities

February 9, 1968 – USS Gridley departs for a Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment, to engage in operations in support of the Vietnam War. Ship spends time in the Gulf of Tonkin off North Vietnam, at Subic Bay in the Philippines and in Wellington, New Zealand

February 10, 1968 – Kerry requests duty in Vietnam He lists his first preference for a position as an officer in charge of a Swift Boat (designated PCF for Patrol Craft Fast), his second as an officer in a patrol boat (designated PBR, for Patrol Boat River) squadron

May 27, 1968 – USS Gridley sets sail for the US

June 6, 1968 – Kerry arrives in Long Beach the day after Senator Robert F. Kennedy is killed in Los Angeles

June 16, 1968 – Kerry promoted to Lieutenant, Junior Grade

July 20, 1968 – Kerry leaves Gridley for specialized training at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado, CA in preparation for service as commander of a Swift Boat. These unarmored, but heavily armed, fifty foot aluminum hulled patrol boats depended on speed and agility when engaging the enemy.




November 17, 1968 – Upon completion of his training, Kerry reports for duty to Coastal Squadron 1, Coastal Division 14, Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam.

December 1968 through January 1969 – Kerry commands PCF-44

December 2, 1968 – Kerry experiences first intense combat; receives first combat related injury.

December 6, 1968 – Kerry moved to Coastal Division 11 at An Thoi on Phu Quoc Island

December 13, 1968 – Kerry moved to Coastal Division 13, Cam Ranh Bay

December 24, 1968 – Kerry involved in combat during the Christmas Eve truce of 1968. The truce was three minutes old when mortar fire exploded around Lieutenant Kerry and his five-man crew. Reacting swiftly, John Kerry and his crew silenced the machine gun nest

January 22, 1969 – Kerry and other Swift boat commanders travel to Saigon for meeting with Adm. Elmo Zumwalt, Commander Naval Forces Vietnam (COMNAVFORV), and Gen. Creighton Abrams, Commander United States Military Assistance Command Vietnam (COMUSMACV)

Late January, 1969 – Kerry joined his 5 man crew on PCF-94




Late January through Early March, 1969 – Starting in late January 1969, this crew completed 18 missions over an intense and dangerous 48 days, almost all of them in the dense jungles of the Mekong Delta. Kerry's crew included engineman Eugene Thorson, later an Iowa cement mason; David Alston, then the crew's only African-American and today a minister in South Carolina; petty officer Del Sandusky of Illinois; rear gunner and quartermaster Michael Medeiros of California; and the late Tom Belodeau, who joined the crew fresh out of Chelmsford High School in Massachusetts. Others rotated in and out of the crew. The most intense action came during an extraordinary eight days of more than 10 firefights, remembered by Kerry's crew as the "days of hell."

February 20, 1969 – Kerry and crew involved in combat; Kerry receives second combat injury – Kerry earned his second Purple Heart after sustaining a shrapnel wound in his left thigh.

February 28, 1969 – For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Coastal Division ELEVEN engaged in armed conflict with Viet Cong insurgents in An Xuyen Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 28 February 1969. Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry was serving as Officer in Charge of Patrol Craft Fast 94 and Officer in Tactical Command of a three-boat mission. As the force approached the target area on the narrow Dong Cung River, all units came under intense automatic weapons and small arms fire from an entrenched enemy force less than fifty-feet away. Unhesitatingly, Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry ordered his boat to attack as all units opened fire and beached directly in front of the enemy ambushers. The daring and courageous tactic surprised the enemy and succeeded in routing a score of enemy soldiers. The PCF gunners captured many enemy weapons in the battle that followed. On a request from U.S. Army advisors ashore, Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry ordered PCFs 94 and 23 further up river to suppress enemy sniper fire. After proceeding approximately eight hundred yards, the boats again were taken under fire from a heavily foliated area and B-40 rocket exploded close aboard PCF-94; with utter disregard for his own safety and the enemy rockets, he again ordered a charge on the enemy, beached his boat only ten feet from the VC rocket position, and personally led a landing party ashore in pursuit of the enemy. Upon sweeping the area an immediate search uncovered an enemy rest and supply area which was destroyed. The extraordinary daring and personal courage of Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry in attacking a numerically superior force in the face of intense fire were responsible for the highly successful mission. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

March 13, 1969 – For heroic achievement while serving with Coastal Division ELEVEN engaged in armed conflict with Viet Cong communist aggressors in An Xuyen Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 13 March 1969. Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry was serving as Officer in Charge of Patrol Craft Fast 94, one of five boats conducting a SEA Lords operation in the Bay Hap River. While exiting the river, a mine detonated under another Inshore Patrol Craft and almost simultaneously, another mine detonated wounding Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry in the right arm. In addition, all units began receiving small arms and automatic weapons fire from the river banks. When Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry discovered he had a man overboard, he returned upriver to assist. The man in the water was receiving sniper fire from both banks. Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry directed his gunners to provide suppressing fire, while from an exposed position on the bow, his arm bleeding and in pain and with disregard for his safety, he pulled the man aboard. Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry then directed his boat to return and assist the other damaged boat to safety. Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry’s calmness, professionalism and great personal courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Lieutenant (junior grade) Kerry is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.

March 17, 1969 – The policy of Coastal Squadron One, the swift boat command, was to send home any individual who is wounded three times in action. After sustaining his third wound from enemy action n Vietnam, Kerry was granted relief under this policy.

Early April, 1969 – Kerry departs Vietnam

April 11, 1969 – Kerry reports for duty at the Military Sea Transportation Service, U.S. Atlantic Fleet in Brooklyn, NY.

January 1, 1970 – Kerry promoted to (full) Lieutenant

January 3, 1970 – Kerry requests discharge

March 1, 1970 – Kerry’s date of separation from Active Duty

April 29, 1970 – Kerry listed as Registrant who has completed service


http://www.boston.com/globe/nation/packages/kerry/

http://www.johnkerry.com






Kerry...the REAL DEAL....
BRING IT ON, shrub....

[diamond14]

55. compare that service to the bush* service....(bush* pic)

thanks to
http://www.boobooday.com/wgoeshome.html

[leftchick]

69. bush* was SERVED during the Viet Nam War......

aWol*'s record of Service.

He was served:

*many kilos of cocaine

*too many joints to remember

*Gallons of that good old Jack Daniels

*who knows how much p***y? (aWol* and poppy's word for getting
laid)

[diamond14]

70. yes, it's all detailed here on the White House web page....(link)

INCONTROVERTIBLE EYEWITNESS PROOF OF HONORABLE SERVICE:

TEN eyewitnesses....

here's just a few



Pvt. Pablo Cocaczar: Oh yeah, I remember that dude in Alabama. I was like way broke, but the base C.O. kept me on latrine duty for like five years, right? But then that hombre Bush shows up, and I made enough money to buy a new El Dorado on all the blow he scored from me. He'd do this funny thing where he'd put a pretzel rod through the hole where his septum used to be!


Ms. Velvet LaBouche: Oh sure I knew George Bush in Alabama. He was always around the house in 1972. In fact, all the girls missed him so much when he left for Harvard, we made up a little rhyme to remember him by: "Georgie Porgie, pudding and pie, serviced us gals till our cooters went dry. When Madame Sophie collected the tab, Georgie Porgie was teeming with crabs!"


Lt. Col. John Johnson: All this rattletrap about Lt. Bush not showing up in 1972 is nonsense. He didn't just show up on weekends; he was there every day. Well, until the end of his sentence. I never saw him after he was escorted from my brig.

http://whitehouse.org/news/2004/021104.asp

[Judi Lynn]

86. Thank you for your effort, amen1234.

I would think that should answer the one question which kept repeating, and very admirably.

It represents a whole lot more of the man's personal investment than the _Bush "records."

[NewYorkerfromMass]

51. "I'm going to register and vote for him" .... A NEW VOTER!!!

Runyon has been disaffected with politics since Vietnam. "I lost interest after that," he said.

But now, he's willing to reconsider.

"If it does help, I'm definitely going to register and vote for him," Runyon said.

[Claire Beth]

59. someone I work with....

has a friend who served in vietnam and lost interest in politics after returning home but he is going to register so he can vote for John Kerry.

[diamond14]

63. good work...ONE vote at at time...that's what will defeat the shrub

with bush* $ 150 MILLION dollars for campaigning...it's going to be a big fight all the way to the finish....we'll need every single vote as bush* attacks will be everywhere on expensive TV ads....

[Claire Beth]

65. you're right.!

I have registered 5 people who previously did not vote and they are ALL in support of Kerry, or whoever the democratic nominee will be. I stress how crucial this next election is to not only ourselves, but to future generations.

[diamond14]

67. I carry around copies of the Virginia Voter Registration form with

my business papers...just in case I meet someone who needs to register, so I can help make it as easy as possible....just a simple form...hand it out, here is it...takes two minutes to fill out....

I downloaded the form from the State of Virginia Election Commissioners web site....perhaps I should also add some pre-stamped envelopes to my effort, so it can go into the mail before anybody forgets....

[Claire Beth]

72. That's great...

as long as they plan to vote for the democratic nominee(s). ha

[saigon68]

71. WOW --- I missed this thread

I see the disrupter got it good

And GOOD RIDDANCE.

I know of no Veteran from Viet-Nam who thinks the CHIMPANZEE is a honorable patriot. We (my friends and I) see him as a Coward who dodged the draft.

[Bandit]

77. I don't think of people who joined the guard as cowards

Nor do I think those that went to college and got their deferment as cowards. It is just how it was done at that time. What I find objectionable is that even after joining the guard to get out of goping to Nam he just Quit Much expense was made to train this man as a combat pilot and he just Quit . That is where we need to focus our attacks. Not on him being a coward (though I agree with you in that I feel he is) but that he abused his position by Quitting after great expense was made to train him.

[diamond14]

78. I don't either, but bush* is BOTH a coward AND a fraud...(pic)

[Mountainman]

87. The people I knew in basic that were in the Guard had connections

Poor peons like me got drafted in 1966. Went to Vietnam in 1967/68. I could not get into the guard because of the waiting list. I could have gone to Canada but I did not want to live there.

It was not cowardly to not want to go to Vietnam. There were very few back then that wanted to go.

We cannot sit here in 2004 and judge the motives of people almost 40 years ago. All we can do us spin things in such a way as to help or hurt a candidate.

To me if you were too young to remember the war In Vietnam your view of it is colored by what you were told.

Unlike me, Bush had connections. Also unlike me, he did not do his duty.

[Bandit]

91. "To me if you were too young to remember the war In Vietnam"

Just so you know I was with the Relief force at Khe Sahn in late April of '68. The same unit as Max Cleland. 2nd of the 12th ~1st Cav and yes I was young but boy do I remember.

[saigon68]

94. I remember guys like Dan Quayle

He was in the guard and a REAL DRAFT-DODGER

everyone I knew in the GUARD had connections I had none.

I still think most of these Cowards in the guard were draft dodgers!!!!

[saigon68]

95. Also if I HAD connections and had joined the guard

I'd probably have taken over my fathers company have a 4 or 5 golf handicap, be a Registered repuke, have a 6 plus figure income and be married to Mary Jane RC </sarcasm>

[74dodgedart]

88. Its not about the service..

I don't really care if he played hooky in the guard. What bothers me is that Bush has wrapped himself in the flag, and portrayed himself as a man of character and integrity, etc.

It just seems hypocritical to me that this man of "integrity", "character", and "patriotic spirit" would lie about his service in the National Guard.

This just adds to the questions about his credibility.

[74dodgedart]

80. This guy remembers a "single nighttime mission" with Kerry

and know one remembers anything about Bush in AL fo 6 mos ?

[diamond14]

82. here's some people who remember (link and photos)

INCONTROVERTIBLE EYEWITNESS PROOF OF HONORABLE SERVICE:

TEN eyewitnesses....

here's just a few



Pvt. Pablo Cocaczar: Oh yeah, I remember that dude in Alabama. I was like way broke, but the base C.O. kept me on latrine duty for like five years, right? But then that hombre Bush shows up, and I made enough money to buy a new El Dorado on all the blow he scored from me. He'd do this funny thing where he'd put a pretzel rod through the hole where his septum used to be!



Ms. Velvet LaBouche: Oh sure I knew George Bush in Alabama. He was always around the house in 1972. In fact, all the girls missed him so much when he left for Harvard, we made up a little rhyme to remember him by: "Georgie Porgie, pudding and pie, serviced us gals till our cooters went dry. When Madame Sophie collected the tab, Georgie Porgie was teeming with crabs!"



Lt. Col. John Johnson: All this rattletrap about Lt. Bush not showing up in 1972 is nonsense. He didn't just show up on weekends; he was there every day. Well, until the end of his sentence. I never saw him after he was escorted from my brig.

http://whitehouse.org/news/2004/021104.asp

[diamond14]

83. hi 74dodgedart...just noticed that you appeared here...WELCOME

it's good to have you join the conversation....


:toast: :toast: :toast:

:hi:

:hi:

:nuke:

[opihimoimoi]

93. In that mission, boys became MEN. Lives were on the line.

You bond for life.