Another defense!

[ProSense]

Attacks on John Kerry Discredited
Wade Sanders | June 19, 2006

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As a retired Navy Captain, a Vietnam combat veteran, and a Swift Boat skipper who served in the Mekong Delta at the same time as John Kerry, I have been appalled by recently published articles which often open with a recycled whopper: a tangled conspiracy theory about Navy records related to Kerry's Silver Star medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on February 28, 1969.

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As for those who claim that there were “heavy revisions in Kerry's favor,” in the Lehman-signed citation, that's not true. The only change in the Lehman-issued citation from its predecessor involves a dozen or so words of boilerplate text in the final sentence not involving details of the action. In the case of my Garrett issued citations, I would not be surprised if they contained words and phrases not in the originals. Does that affect the underlying facts: the basis for the original award? Of course not. Oh, and by the way, just like Kerry's, mine were also signed by autopen.

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The bottom line is that all Navy documentation supports the integrity of Kerry's medal and the official Navy account on this, as do all the crew of PCF-94 (Kerry's boat at the time), as does the officer-in-training aboard the boat, as does the skipper of the second of three boats present, Bill Rood, as does a crewman aboard the third boat (its skipper, Don Droz, was killed in action later in 1969). Even Vietnamese eyewitnesses have been heard from; they back up the U.S. Navy/Kerry account, too.

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(It is an established historical fact that the American military as well as civilian intelligence were operating covertly in Cambodia years prior to the secret bombing campaign and the public incursion. SOG -- the Studies & Operations Group -- was a joint command that undertook secret missions inside Cambodia beginning not later than 1967, according to the book “Sideshow,” a leading historical work on the war in Cambodia.)

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I have many friends who disagreed with Kerry's opposition to the war, but unlike some, they did not need to lie, distort, or doctor evidence to support their arguments. Those who believe that the ends, the destruction of John Kerry, justify the means, dishonor not only themselves, but the thousands of us who served with honor and the memories of those who did not come home.


http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,101730,00.html

Wow!

[TayTay]

1. Wow indeed!

This is incredible. It's absolutely amazing how loyal that crew has been to Sen. Kerry when he needed them. Just amazing. The slanders against Kerry are, in a way, slanders against them as well. No wonder they are coming out at need to slap down the Liars.

Thanks for this find. I have bookmarked it for my files.

[Island Blue]

2. This one's a keeper.

I have a feeling it will definitely come in handy down the road. Thanks for posting.