John Kerry And The Unasked/Unanswered Questions
By Thomas D. Segel (08/07/04)
Though never even being close to entering the John Kerry camp, as a writer I have followed this presidential race with great interest. What I have found most perplexing is the Senator has built his entire race around his four month tour of duty in Vietnam. This is the same service he later decried as an anti-war protester, an activity he now fails to mention in his public addresses.
Many questions have arisen about his valor in combat, but though they fester below the surface, I have yet to hear or read any of these questions being brought up to the candidate by members of the combined electronic and print media.
Having an Internet reader list of several hundred retired military, veterans and reservists, I sent out a note, requesting their input. I asked them if, in their military experience they knew of anyone who had been awarded three Purple Hearts for minor wounds in less than three months, then sent home. I asked if anyone had ever heard of a Silver Star being awarded to someone who shot a wounded enemy soldier running away from the action Finally, I asked if anyone knew of, or had seen anyone taking home-movies of their combat action or attempting to recreate that action on film, after the fact The answers I received were not all on topic, but all were most interesting.
One of the first to respond was Major Norm Hatch, a combat photographer in WWII and a Life Member of the United States Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association. Speaking on the side of caution, he reminded me that "Someone in the Navy's medical command had to certify the wounds to enable him to receive Purple Hearts, not the least of this being a navy medical report on the treatment received."
The best answer to that particular statement comes from Lieutenant Commander Lewis Letson who was a medical officer serving with the Swift Boats. Says the Commander; "I know John Kerry is lying about his first Purple Heart, because I treated him for that injury."
Major Hatch also posed this question, "Don't you think that the crew members who supported John Kerry during the convention could have knocked down any of the allegations that keep flying around? I question that they would put their integrity on the line just to walk out on the stage that night."
First, it should be noted these former service personnel came on stage, but did not speak. So, perhaps other Swift Boat veterans who knew and served with the candidate can best clarify Swift Boat veterans support for the candidate.
Former Swift Boat officer Lieutenant (jg) Jack Chenoweth says, "His account of what happened and what actually happened are the difference between night and day."
Gunners Mate Van O'Dell was with Kerry during one action. "John Kerry lied to get his Bronze Star. I know. I was there and I saw what happened."
Another Swift Boat officer is Lieutenant Commander George Elliott who claims, "John Kerry has not been truthful about what happened in Vietnam". He is echoed by former Ensign Al French who bluntly says, "John Kerry is lying about his record."
Rear Admiral Roy Hoffman, who was there among the Swift Boaters, further reinforces these comments. The admiral holds both the Distinguished Service Medal and the Silver Star. He says, "John Kerry has not been honest about Vietnam."
Commander Adrian Lansdale, who received both the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star, says of John Kerry, "He lacks the capacity to lead."
The final Swift Boat officer to comment was Lieutenant (jg) Larry Trudow, who said, "When the chips were down you could not count on John Kerry."
Gunners Mate Overly Hackled completed 202 missions with River Division 594 on the Vam Co Tay and Van Co Dong rivers. His boat worked with SEAL teams and performed special operations, along with running regular patrols and setting up ambushes on the rivers. He says, "I never saw anyone get 3 Purple Hearts in four months, not that it couldn't happen. And if you got three you'd be one lucky SOB not to get hurt worse than Kerry did. I never saw anyone get a Silver Star for what he reportedly did and I never saw anyone with a home movie camera. Sure as hell nobody was taking pictures of anything during a real firefight. The boat Captain would be driving the boat and all hands would be putting down suppressive fire and would have had no time or business filming anything. Your job was to survive, kill the other guys before they killed you."
The Gunners Mate concluded saying "I honestly think the whole Kerry drill was a plan he had from day one to get 3 Purple hearts, come home a hero and become the next JFK. When he got home he found no one was interested in a Vietnam War hero, so he became an anti-war hero."
Retired Marine Colonel Tom Hobbs had stronger words to describe the Kerry Swift Boat saga. "If it looks like a rat, smells like a rat, it's most likely a rat. With three Purple Hearts in such a short time, I'm glad we weren't in the same company in Vietnam. He must attract the enemy. If memory serves, one criterion for a Purple Heart was evacuation from the unit for 24 hours. If a corpsman patched you up and sent you back to duty, no Purple Heart just a combat experience. If Kerry's integrity was breached at such an early age, I wonder if that is why he is so flip-flop today?"
Jay Adams served in both the Air Force and the Marine Corps, retiring as a Master Sergeant. He wonders if the Senator's awards don't add up to "Quite a number of decorations for a short four month tour." He also feels that the truth has been covered up. He thinks the political elite in partnership with those who report the news orchestrated the cover-up. "Even if such a cover-up came to light", he says, "The mainstream media would never publicize it."
As of this writing, 123 retired and former service personnel responded to my questions. Of that number four were neutral in their remarks. Three, including a retired Woman Marine, were admitted Kerry supporters and felt he should be given the benefit of the doubt. All the remaining veterans had strong reservations about the Kerry candidacy. Since military comments are still being received, this topic may warrant a follow-up.
One person who is very clear in his thinking about the upcoming presidential election is retired Air Force Colonel George "Bud" Day. He says, "The Kerry Vietnam anti-war movement directly encouraged the vicious torture I received as a POW in the Hanoi Hilton, was demoralizing for other POWs and their families, and provided aid and comfort for North Vietnam to continue the war."
"I can think of no action more despicable than false public condemnation of warriors on the field of battle, as John Kerry made under oath.
Senator Kerry is unfit to become President and our Commander in Chief."
Colonel Day, an Air Force pilot, former POW and war hero, is the recipient of the Medal of Honor.
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