SwiftVets.com

[rbshirley]

[cipher]

Semper Fi, Mr. Shirley!

Thanks once again for all you've done, and all you continue to do on this forum. And especially for your continued and ongoing commitment to seeing the truth is revealed to those of us who weren't there.

You find the time and energy to post regularly, and you've done some outstanding research and documentation.

You, sir, are the epitome of the Swift Vet to me.
_________________
USMC 69-72, 7th Comm, 3rd MarDiv, FMFPAC
US Army 75-79, 97th Sig, SHAPE, NATO
Arkansas National Guard 79
Defense contractor for US Navy, SSPO, SP-20, SP-24, OP-12 84-92

[cgc]

First of all let me say the U. S. Coast Guard and the men who served in Viet Nam on the Cutters were and are above reproach. In fact after the incident that Yost talks about, (April 12, 1969) The Coast guard treated some of our wounded and always supported us when asked or called upon. Some of my fondest memories are a visit to a Coast Guard Cutter anchored off the mouth of some forgotten river and getting the VIP treatment from the crew. I don't think Bob Shirley in any way meant to infer that this was a Coast Guard VS Swift Boat thing. The Yost article was written from his perspective, (Yost's), I would think however that a man of his stature would at least get the minimum facts right. 1. The number of boats on this op, 2. The name of the canal, 3. The role the 43 crew played in the firefight after they beached. And what part did his remark about the overweight Swift Sailor play in this historical verbal record? From my perspective, and I was on this particular patrol, and made it through the ambush area and beached close to the Boat that Yost was on, he kinda insinuates without his leadership we would all been screwed.
If your going to write an article, I say at least fact check it for accurancy.

The role of the Coast Guard in Operation Market Time, Silver Mace, and many many other ops were indespensible to Swift Boats and their crews, I have nothing but respect for the Coast Guard and the men and women who served in Viet Nam. And I am willing to bet my fellow Swift Boat Vets feel the same way.

cgc Swift Boat Crew 6C, 68-69

P.S. I do remember how hot those flak jackets were, It still makes my skin crawl to remember the sweat running down my back for hours at a time. By the way how in the hell did we stay hydrated losing all that fluid. I really don't remember a lot of fluids being available. But do remember the salt pills.

[Dane]

I agree that the oral history was not done last month just to rush it into print. I agree that ADM Yost is not trying to discredit ADM Hoffman´s present position with SBVT. I question, however, the Editor´s decision to publish this article in the October edition.

I sent the following to the Naval Institute Foundation, the "Owner" of "Proceedings" and the bosses of the Editor-in-Chief:

Quote

I find it suspicious and disappointing that the Editor of Proceedings magazine chose to publish ADM Yost´s oral history concerning a Swift boat mission that involved ADM Hoffman.

The entire country knows that ADM Hoffman is now heading Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, an organization made up of members of all political parties and, also, independents.

This article criticizes ADM Hoffman and, therefore, could have an impact upon his image as head of SBVT - just before the presidential elections. Thus, USNI, as an apolitical, professional organization, could be viewed as having a partisan slant.

This article could easily have been published in the December edition.

END QUOTE

Want to do the same? foundation@usni.org

Edited: The letter I sent to the above e-dress was bounced. It is the e-dress found on the NIF site. Can´t find another

Dane