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zoink Seaman Recruit
Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Posts: 4
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Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 5:32 pm Post subject: Swift Boatt tactics, and Serving question. |
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I read a lot of forums, and this group (swiftvets.com) started being attacked before anyone even brought up the add.
The main charge I see both on the news (Susan Estridge finally changed her wording in a quick last minute jab, on Hannity and Colmes)and on the forums is that these men never served with Senator Kerry.
When one of these claims was made I asked a question. "Did not swift boats work in groups?"
I received this response:
"Very seldom, if ever ... but they usually worked as single units on the rivers escorting supply boats and YFUs or patrolling."
This sounded rather foolhardy to me so I contacted a swift vote veteran from another site and was told that in the delta they always worked in groups of 2, and often in 3's up to groups of 7. I neglected to ask for permission to cite him, and I do not wish to bother him further.
Can anyone corroborate this information for me, and if it is from personnel knowledge can I cite you?
Would one have to serve on Kerry’s boat in order to be considered to have served with him? This sounds like an F-14 pilot being able to say he only served with his RIO. Am I confused on this?
Sincerely,
zoink |
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djv Seaman Recruit
Joined: 10 Jul 2004 Posts: 49
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Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 5:42 pm Post subject: |
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When John Kerry got his bronze star for pulling Jim Rassmann out of the water, there were at least 5 boats.
Can anyone tell me about Jim Rassmann? Was he a regular crew member? Was he familiiar with the regular operations of swift boats? Like giviing suppersion fire when a boat is hit by a mine. _________________ David J V |
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rbshirley Founder
Joined: 07 May 2004 Posts: 394
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Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 6:10 pm Post subject: Re: Swift Boatt tactics, and Serving question. |
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zoink wrote: |
The main charge I see both on the news (Susan Estridge finally changed
her wording in a quick last minute jab, on Hannity and Colmes)and on the
forums is that these men never served with Senator Kerry.
When one of these claims was made I asked a question. "Did not swift
boats work in groups?"
I received this response:
"Very seldom, if ever ... but they usually worked as single units on the
rivers escorting supply boats and YFUs or patrolling."
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Another ridiculous statement from someone who doesn't have a clue.
Operating as a single unit in the rivers would have been extreme folly.
...................... ......................
"You don't know him because because you weren't on his specific boat"
........................................ ???????? ...............................................
Check out these "up close and personal" shots of Swift Boats in action:
............. .............
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............. .............
And that doesn't even take into account that when the boats returned
from a mission (usually no more than 24-36 hrs) Everyone lived and
ate and bunked on/in the same living quarters: Berthing ship, LST, or
small base. Swift division units were small. Everyone knew all of the
other personnel in that division intimately and well. Whether you
liked them and got along with them or not.
Put the following URL into Windows Media Player for Tom Wright's opinions
and observations of John Kerry's performance while under his direction
when they deployed on an LST for operations in the rivers of the Ca Mau
peninsula.
http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/WEBLOG/kmc/kerrysuperiorunedited.wma
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zoink Seaman Recruit
Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Posts: 4
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Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 10:37 pm Post subject: |
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Thankyou very much for the responce rbshirley.
Sincerely,
zoink |
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scotty61 LCDR
Joined: 07 May 2004 Posts: 419 Location: Glyndon MN
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Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 11:42 pm Post subject: |
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Great pictures rbshirley! I wouldn't mind seeing more posted. |
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ASPB Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Joined: 01 Jun 2004 Posts: 1680
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Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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scotty61 wrote: | Great pictures rbshirley! I wouldn't mind seeing more posted. |
Scotty61,
Go to Bob's site. You'll find lots to learn about Swift Boats.
Here's the link:
http://pcf45.com _________________ On Sale! Order in lots of 100 now at velero@rcn.com Free for the cost of shipping All profits (if any, especially now) go to Swiftvets. The author of "Sink Kerry Swiftly" ---ASPB |
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