( OT )Kerry's Navy record withstands scrutiny
 

Kerry's Navy record withstands scrutiny
The Washington Post examined Kerry's Navy record, and supplemented by
interviews with the candidate, his crewmates and some skeptics, the paper
"found little to undermine Kerry's portrayal of his service" in Vietnam.

"[Kerry's] record has become both an asset and an issue as he seeks the
presidency. The senator from Massachusetts has used it to define his
qualifications for the office, his experience in foreign policy, his
leadership -- and, regarding the conflict in Iraq, his firsthand knowledge
of war. But critics have cited it as evidence that he was opportunistic and
have questioned whether he deserved one of his medals."

"With few exceptions, those who fought by his side, and the other veterans
who support him today, are startled that anyone would question his valor ...
But a group of Vietnam veterans, some of them partisans, portray him as an
ambitious young officer who attempted to collect undeserved Purple Hearts
for minor injuries and used those medals to cut short his tour. A military
policy allowed those who received three Purple Hearts, regardless of the
extent of their injuries, to leave Vietnam. Kerry could have requested to
stay but did not. A Web site is dedicated to raising questions about his
record and reminding voters that he returned home to become a leader in the
antiwar movement, which critics allege demoralized the very troops he fought
beside."