[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 27, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S4396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 MILITARY RECORD OF SENATOR JOHN KERRY

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I had the good fortune a week ago this past 
Saturday to be in Las Vegas. At that time, I spoke about the military 
record of Senator John Kerry. In fact, I not only spoke about the 
military record of John Kerry, but I read verbatim from the two 
citations for heroism he received.
  The first citation for heroism he received was presented to him by 
Admiral Zumwalt. In that citation, it talked about what Senator Kerry 
did to earn the Silver Star. In effect, what he did is as follows:
  Senator Kerry was the commander of a swift boat. A swift boat was a 
boat that would move very quickly, and they used it in the rivers of 
Southeast Asia. They were subject to ambushes and attacks, especially 
before there was something done to make sure the shoreline was free of 
foliage. They were attacked often.
  In this instance, a rocket hit his swift boat, blew all the windows 
out of it, and, of course, injured people on board the boat. Senator 
Kerry at that time directed the swift boat to, rather than go away from 
the battle, go into the battle and go to shore. As soon as he got close 
enough to the shore to get off the boat, he got off the boat, and 
before the enemy had time to fire the second rocket, they were killed 
by Senator John Kerry. This is the reason he was given his first Silver 
Star.
  The Bronze Star was awarded when again his boat was hit from shore. 
One crewman was blown off the craft in the water. They were taking fire 
at this time. Senator Kerry, even though he was injured--his right arm 
was bleeding badly--directed fire toward the enemy, got the swift boat 
close enough to the man in the water, and he personally pulled the man 
out of the water.
  These are, in synopsis, the two acts of heroism for which Senator 
Kerry was decorated. He was decorated with the Silver Star and the 
Bronze Star. He was, of course, also given three Purple Hearts. Purple 
Hearts are given when someone is injured in battle.
  There is no question that what John Kerry did in Southeast Asia, 
specifically in Vietnam, was heroic. That is why he was given these 
medals. I think it is outrageous for people to criticize his military 
service to our country.
  It is obvious this administration knows America loves a war hero, and 
John Kerry is a war hero. So what does the administration do? They do 
everything they can to denigrate this fine man rather than talk about 
policy in Iraq, tax policy, environmental policy, economic policy, and 
health care policy. I think it is wrong that they are doing this, and I 
think they should get back to talking about the issues that are 
important.
  America knows John Kerry is a war hero. No matter how many times the 
Vice President speaks at universities criticizing John Kerry's military 
record, you cannot take away the facts. He was presented by the 
military authorities of our country two medals for heroism. They speak 
for themselves.

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