SwiftVets.com

[trifona]

http://www.johnkerry.com/pdf/jkmilservice/SpotReports_March1969.pdf

Someone is claiming that Kerry did not write this actual report. Where in the report is the evidence to show that EFF'n was indeed the author?

I know there were 5 boats out that day, the OIC of the 3 dies, and the other three OIC's are against Kerry.

Any help?

[CERDIP]

I notice that it makes no mention of Rassmann at all, even though it details several people with injuries (including Kerry).

[Curmudgeon]

Note line “CHARLIE:” on page 9 of that file. I suspect “ETR” probably means “Estimated Time to/of Repair.” If not, what does it mean? It could also mean “Estimated Time Received.” Now, notice the date/time on that line. It appears to say 1200Z on 13Mar69 (131200 MAR69). If you look closer, however, you can see that someone has used a pen to alter the date. If you look at how a “3” is made by that typewriter/teletype, the apparent “3” in this line is not original. Now look at how the “8” is made by this machine. Note that the left side of that numeral is light, and the right side is identical to the shape of the “3” in the date. And, someone has added a mark to darken the top and make it look like a “3.” I find this curious, and wonder if it was done to make it look like official Navy records confirm serious damage to PCF 94 on March 13, 1969. Since the date of the transmission was 14 Mar 69, I am leaning toward the “Repair” rather than “Received” meaning of ETR, can someone confirm that?

Regards,

Dave

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[ord33]

trifona,

Take a look at the analysis of NavyChief here in this thread. It is VERY detailed, well documented, and thought out.

http://www2.swiftvets.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4331&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[trifona]

Navychief nailed it.....further verified with a google search of 194.5.4.4/1.

Great work guys!!

[Ragnar]

Trifona,

Note that the report is written from the perspective of PCF-94 (Kerry's boat) There is no mention, for example, of Thurlow's boat coming to the aid of PCF-3 or retrieving personnel from the river. It is not mentioned because Kerry's boat was not there when it happened -- he was speeding away from what he thought was an ambush.

The only logical interpretation is that the information in the report was supplied by someone on Kerry's boat.

Be sure to see the link that ORD33 suggested.

CERDIP:

Rassmann is referred to as "MSF advisor who went overboard". He's not mentioned among the wounded because I don't believe he was wounded.

[NavyChief]

[quote="Curmudgeon"]Note line “CHARLIE:” on page 9 of that file. I suspect “ETR” probably means “Estimated Time to/of Repair.” If not, what does it mean? It could also mean “Estimated Time Received.” Now, notice the date/time on that line. It appears to say 1200Z on 13Mar69 (131200 MAR69). If you look closer, however, you can see that someone has used a pen to alter the date. If you look at how a “3” is made by that typewriter/teletype, the apparent “3” in this line is not original. Now look at how the “8” is made by this machine. Note that the left side of that numeral is light, and the right side is identical to the shape of the “3” in the date. And, someone has added a mark to darken the top and make it look like a “3.” I find this curious, and wonder if it was done to make it look like official Navy records confirm serious damage to PCF 94 on March 13, 1969. Since the date of the transmission was 14 Mar 69, I am leaning toward the “Repair” rather than “Received” meaning of ETR, can someone confirm that?

The ETR is "Estimated Time to Repair". Someone looked at the boat and gave an estimate for its repair. The repairs were scheduled to take place at AN THOI where the USS KRISHNA was anchored. She was a repair ship. Although repairs could have also be effected at the repair base itself. Not clear since there is no actual repair message.

Don't worry about the 8 and the 3. These are "hits" that messages take all the time when transmitted. I know it looks funky but when you've sent, received, and looked at as many messages as I have for the past 20 years, you get used to it. The messages will have bad spacing and typos constantly; you have to be careful with it.

Kerry as the Officer in Charge of this boat would have been the person to draft this message and have it sent out.

- instigator
_________________
Working with Senator Kerry four years in the POW/MIA Office left me thinking -- when did the man ever do any work?

[Curmudgeon]

Thanks Chief,

But did you actually look at the page? That mark over the 8 to make it look like a three wasn’t made by the machine. Not to worry, there are much larger fabrications to pursue.

Regards,

Dave

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[NavyChief]

[Curmudgeon]

No, here:

http://www.johnkerry.com/pdf/jkmilservice/SpotReports_March1969.pdf

It is the last page of this pdf file.

Regards,

Dave

[Misty]

Curm....I think it is an 8. The reason why it doesn't look like an altered 3 to me is because if you look at the other 3's, they have a tail on the bottom that is not consistent with the formation of the 8. JMHO.
_________________
Misty
----------
Dad was in the Navy Pacific Fleet
Brother was on the USS Regulus - Vietnam
Husband was AirForce 3rd (34th) Tactical Fighter Wing - Security Police Bien Hoa Vietnam

[bergstrom79]

If I'm reading pg 9 of the spot report correctly, the 94 boat of kerry's did indeed sustain damage from a possible explosion. Main cabin windows blown out? It backs up kerry and rassmann on the "2nd mine" story....am I wrong here? I'm looking at the Wapo graphic from last week, nowhere do I see another event that could do that kind of damage.

Help, anyone?

[NavyChief]

[bergstrom79]

Thanks for the clarification, Chief.