SwiftVets.com

[ASPB]

Source: Tour of Duty by, Douglas Brinkley, pages 293-295

Kerry's Silver Star Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Coastal Division ELEVEN engaged in armed conflict with Viet Cong insurgents in An Xuyen Provence, Republic of Vietnam on 28 February, 1969. Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY was serving as Officer in Charge of Patrol Craft Fast 94 and Officer in Tactical Command of a three boat mission. As the force approached the target area on the narrow Dong Chung River, all units came under intense automatic weapons and small arms fire from an entrenched enemy force less that fifty-feet away. Unhesitatingly Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY ordered his boat to attack as all units opened fire and beached directly in front of the enemy ambushers this daring and courageous tactic surprised the enemy and succeeded in routing a score of enemy soldiers. The PCF gunners captured many enemy weapons in the battle that followed. On a request from U.S. Army advisors ashore, Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY ordered PCF's 94 and 23 further up river to suppress enemy sniper fire. After proceeding approximately eight hundred yards, the boats were again taken under fire from a heavily foliated area and B-40 rocket exploded close aboard PCF 94: with utter disregard for his own safety and the enemy rockets, he again ordered a charge on the enemy, beached his boat only ten feet from the VC rocket position, and personally led a landing party ashore in pursuit of the enemy. Upon sweeping the area an immediate search uncovered an enemy rest and supply area which was destroyed. The extra ordinary daring and personal courage of Lieutenant (junior grade) KERRY in attacking a numerically superior force in the face of intense fire were responsible for the highly successful mission. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Several days after the February 28, 1969 action, Vice Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. flew to An Thoi, South Vietnam, where he pinned the Silver Star on Kerry's chest. All records indicate the award ceremony took place on March 6th.

"In addition to Kerry's Silver Star PCF-94's performance on February 28 also earned Bronze Stars for Tommy Belodeau and Mike Medeiros and Navy Commendation Medals with Combat V Devices for Del Sandusky, Fred Short, and Gene Thorson." - Douglas Brinkley, page 294

Jeez, the WHOLE friggin' crew got personal medals for valor! All right, who wants to start the research on this one. No wonder Kerry got a Silver Star! He probably put himself in for the CMH and Zummie had to downgrade it. No wonder Zummie flew to An Thoi 6 days after the incident. What's funny is that Kerry is purportedly on the flight from Saigon with Zummie. What was he doing in Saigon 6 days after the action? Pandering for medals?

If this is not the most outrageous piece of creative writing I will ever hear....I'll piss in my Black Beret!

Kerry to the crew, "Hey, guys I'll put you "all" in for medals if you'll agree that this is what I did." It's no wonder they all support him how.

Attn Doug Reese:

Doug,

You were there! It wasn't the most highly decorated firefight of the war was it?
_________________
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

[DougReese]

[The bandit]

You know if these guys REALLY came under intense a/w fire they would not have gotton off their boat to walk around within point blank range (the canal was narrow and everything would been point blank.)

It is all BS in attempts to justify a unjustifable SS for Kerry by his buddies.

They supposengly destroyed 30 sampans, 7 bunkers, 15 structures, rice and collected a couple of arms. Whoooooopie. This is no different then previous ops and no one was awarded a SS for destroying bunkers, structures, rice, etc., etc....

I think old Kerry wanted to become a Hero and so did his buddies so they made up a tall tale on how he saved everyones' life (cough cough cough)