| FootnoteTV, Footnote Fahrenheit, and more | By Stephen Lee |
| Issues: Election 2004 : Kerry's service in Vietnam
Sen. John Kerry's military service in Vietnam has long been part of the backdrop to the 2004 presidential race, in part because of Kerry's own references to his Vietnam service, because of the contrast between Kerry's service and President George W. Bush's, because of some arguable similarities between the Vietnam War and the war in Iraq, and because of some veterans' suggestions that Kerry's military service was dishonorable. Kerry served combat duty in Vietnam for less than five months from November 1968 through April 1969 and received a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts while serving there. Many people have praised Kerry's military service and his leadership, both at the time and in 2004. In 1969, Kerry's commanding officer at the time, George Elliott, wrote in a record that Kerry was "the acknowledged leader in his peer group. His bearing and appearance are above reproach." Elliott also wrote that "[i]n a combat environment often requiring independent, decisive action LTJG Kerry was unsurpassed. He constantly reviewed tactics and lessons learned in river operations and applied his experience at every opportunity." In 2004, nine out of the ten men who actually served under Kerry's command and were living as of that summer appeared on stage at the Democratic National Convention to support Kerry's nomination as the Democratic presidential candidate. Moreover, Bush himself said in August 2004 that Kerry "served admirably" and that Kerry "ought to be proud of his record." Nonetheless, questions about Kerry's service have been raised throughout his political career by opponents, most recently by the Swift Veterans for Truth organization, which ran television ads questioning Kerry's service in August 2004 and publicizing the book "Unfit for Command" by John O'Neill and Jerome Corsi. Some have criticized Kerry specifically for his current policies, some for his postwar activities against the Vietnam War, and some have questioned Kerry's service. Kerry's service and the attacks on that service are discussed in the accompanying pieces. |
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