Larry Thurlow respons to Kerry smears
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| Thu, 08-19-2004 - 12:59pm |
I am convinced that the language used in my citation for a Bronze Star was language taken directly from John Kerry's report which falsely described the action on the Bay Hap River as action that saw small arms fire and automatic weapons fire from both banks of the river.
To this day, I can say without a doubt in my mind, along with other accounts from my shipmates-there was no hostile enemy fire directed at my boat or at any of the five boats operating on the river that day.
I submitted no paperwork for a medal nor did I file an after action report describing the incident. To my knowledge, John Kerry was the only officer who filed a report describing his version of the incidents that occurred on the river that day.
It was not until I had left the Navy-approximately three months after I left the service-that I was notified that I was to receive a citation for my actions on that day.
I believed then as I believe now that I received my Bronze Star for my efforts to rescue the injured crewmen from swift boat number three and to conduct damage control to prevent that boat from sinking.
My boat and several other swift boats went to the aid of our fellow swift boat sailors whose craft was adrift and taking on water. We provided immediate rescue and damage control to prevent boat three from sinking and to offer immediate protection and comfort to the injured crew.
After the mine exploded, leaving swift boat three dead in the water, John Kerry's boat, which was on the opposite side of the river, fled the scene.
US Army Special Forces officer Jim Rassmann, who was on Kerry's boat at the time, fell off the boat and into the water. Kerry's boat returned several minutes later-under no hail of enemy gunfire-to retrieve Rassmann from the river only seconds before another boat was going to pick him up.
Kerry campaign spokespersons have conflicting accounts of this incident-the latest one being that Kerry's boat did leave but only briefly and returned under withering enemy fire to rescue Mr. Rassmann. However, none of the other boats on the river that day reported enemy fire nor was anyone wounded by small arms action. The only damage on that day was done to boat three-a result of the underwater mine. None of the other swift boats received damage from enemy gunfire.
And in a new development, Kerry campaign officials are now finally acknowledging that while Kerry's boat left the scene, none of the other boats on the river ever left the damaged swift boat. This is a direct contradiction to previous accounts made by Jim Rassmann in the Oregonian newspaper and a direct contradiction to the "No Man Left Behind" theme during the Democratic National Convention.
These ever changing accounts of the Bay Hap River incident by Kerry campaign officials leave me asking one question.if no one ever left the scene of the Bay Hap River incident, how could anyone be left behind?
Edited 8/19/2004 1:14 pm ET ET by truemobile

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You must be new. Welcome. I've been an iVillager for the past 3 years.
Hey Sue!
It is good to see you back!
Miffy - Co-CL For The Politics Today Board
Oh, btw, thanks for the warm welcome. Sorry about my rant above. It wasn't aimed at you. I'll email you soon.
I have not had a problem with Pop-ups since I upgraded my service.
Miffy - Co-CL For The Politics Today Board
The man (Kerry) is running for the highest office in the land, but currently has a very important spot on the Senate Intelligence Committee.
In light of the events of 9/11 you would think that every member of that committee, especially, would take their jobs even more seriously, but I guess that Kerry feels that it is okay for him to miss almost 3/4 of the briefings. he himself has admitted that he has not reviewed his own daily briefings, which to me is poor judgement.
Take this into account, along with the way that Kerry has voted during his term as Senator, especially where the intelligence community is concerned, and Bush should be able to show a large difference between himself and Sen. Kerry.
Do you think Nader is having a difficult time getting on the Presidential ballot in some states due to pressure from the DNC? I thought this may be a slight possibility, especially due to the fact that in many polls, in a three way race, Kerry trails Bush.
Any thoughts?
If I were Brinkley, I wouldnt put my editing pen away just yet.
Well, he hasn't made it onto the ballot here in Georgia yet so I may not be able to vote for him anyway. LOL!
I would like to add my two cents here. I know how you must feel with none of the leading parties suting your needs to want a multiparty election, but I have come from land of multiparty and it is really worse off. When there are too many parties like in India, after the election none of the party has solid majority and then they form a coalition which is filled with internal politics that makes US politicians look like angels. I also like the loyalty towards one party which is demonstrated by party memebers. Because in India, you always get comfused because there is so much movement of the candidates across the party lines, that people consider them fickle. Just something to think about....
Sonali
When there are too many parties like in India, after the election none of the party has solid majority and then they form a coalition which is filled with internal politics that makes US politicians look like angels.
We have two major parties and the same thing (forming coalitions and internal politicals) happens here.
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