Hoffmania Washington correspondent Michael O'Brien did a ton of research and finds a pantload of lies in the Swift Boat Veterans for "Truth" commercial. Here are his findings.
In the commercial, Lieutenant Commander George Elliot states "John Kerry has not been honest about what happened in Vietnam" yet in Kerry's fitness reports, he raved about Kerry.
Lieutenant Commander George Elliot:
(18-DEC-69) In a combat environment often requiring independent, decisive action, LTJG Kerry was unsurpassed. He constantly reviewed tactics and lessons learned in river operations and applied his experience at every opportunity. On one occasion, while in tactical command of a three boat operation his units were taken under fire from ambush. LTJG Kerry rapidly assessed the situation and ordered is units to turn directly into the ambush. This decision resulted in routing the attackers with several enemy KIA.
LTJG Kerry emerges as the acknowledged leader in his peer group. His bearing and appearance are above reproach. He has of his own volition learned the Vietnamese language and is instrumental in the successful Vietnamese training program.
During the period of this report LTJG Kerry has been awarded the Silver Star medal, the Bronze Star medal, the Purple Heart medal (2nd and 3rd awards).
(28-JAN-69) LTJG Kerry was assigned to this division for only a short time but during that time exhibited all the traits desired of an officer in a combat environment. He frequently exhibited a high sense of imagination and judgement in planning operations against the enemy in the Mekong Delta. Involved in several enemy initiated fire fights, including an ambush during the Christmas truce, he effectively suppressed enemy fire and is unofficially credited with 20 enemy killed in action. Though relatively new to the PCF he is thoroughly knowledgeable of all aspects of his boat and PCF operations. He was instrumental in planning of highly successful Sea Lords Operations. He was cited for his performance during action against the enemy by Commander Task Force in his message 080807z Jan 69.
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In fact, other than LC Elliot, his fitness reports were all outstanding. One was a little odd -- by Lt. Cmdr. Grant Hibbard. See for yourself (Page 19 in the above document). I don't understand this one. Mr. Hibbard in the commercial stated, "He betrayed all his shipmates. He lied before the Senate." I do find it interesting that although he 'betrayed all his shipmates', all of his shipmates joined him on the stage during his endorsement. This is not typical behavior for people who have been betrayed.
Hoffmania note: Yesterday,
Elliot retracted his remarks, but not until the commercial started airing and the book came out. Too little, too late for the grist mill, Mr. Elliot - damage done. Continuing...
Lewis Letson, lieutenant commander, stated "I know John Kerry is lying about his first Purple Heart because I treated him for that injury." Yet, if you go to this report, you will see that the attending physician was not Mr. Letson.
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In the commercial, Lt. Larry Thurlow stated "When the chips were down, you could not count on John Kerry."
This main claims to be an eyewitness to the rescue of Green Beret Jim Rassman. According to Mr. Thurlow, there was no firefight, no danger, and that the story was hyped beyond belief. He states that Kerry's heroic rescue is nothing but fiction.
Jim Rassman is a Republican who volunteered to help Kerry. Mr. Rassman has, many times, thanked Kerry in public for saving his life.
But now to discredit Mr. Thurlow. In American History magazine's web site it tells the tale of Kerry's final mission. While Kerry was rescuing Rassman "Thurlow was struggling to get PCF-3's wounded gunner out of his hole and onto the deck when the damaged Swift ran aground hard on a shoal on the right side of the river, sending Thurlow somersaulting into the water. At the same moment, the five Swifts came under fire from the right side again, and Kerry remembered thinking that was it -- they were going to get completely cut off and annihilated in a crossfire."
The story states that Mr. Thurlow was awarded a bronze star for his heroic efforts that day too. Either way this man's credibility is on the line. Either he accepted an award for bravery that he didn't deserve, or he is lying about Kerry.
Michael adds, "...if Kerry joined the Mass. Air National Guard and partied every night, his career would have been safer. What an odd world we live in." Indeed. Pick your heroes wisely, readers.
