The discussion centers on William Rood's defense of John Kerry's Vietnam War record against allegations made by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Rood, a fellow Swift Boat commander, asserts that the claims about Kerry's service are false and that Kerry's strategies were praised by superiors. Participants express strong opinions about the motivations behind the Swift Boat Veterans' attacks, linking them to political interests associated with the Bush campaign. The conversation highlights the contentious nature of political discourse surrounding military service and integrity.
PREREQUISITESThis discussion is beneficial for political analysts, historians, and anyone interested in the intersection of military service and political integrity, particularly in the context of U.S. elections.
Asked about the award, Mr. Thurlow said that he did not recall what the citation said but that he believed it had commended him for saving the lives of sailors on a boat hit by a mine. If it did mention enemy fire, he said, that was based on Mr. Kerry's false reports. The actual citation, Mr. Thurlow said, was with an ex-wife with whom he no longer has contact, and he declined to authorize the Navy to release a copy. But a copy obtained by The New York Times indicates "enemy small arms," "automatic weapons fire" and "enemy bullets flying about him." The citation was first reported by The Washington Post on Thursday.