This page was last updated on September 5, 2004.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“It is a sad day in America when high-ranking retired Republican veterans of the Vietnam War are questioning and attacking the service of U.S. Sen. John Kerry in that war.”

[RWC] John Kerry himself has presented different accounts of his actions in Vietnam.  I never served and was not there so I would never personally question his actions or courage.  Veterans who were there are presenting different versions of the events and I believe they deserve the same respect as Kerry, however.  Mr. Reese, if you don’t want us to dismiss Kerry’s claims outright, don’t expect us to do that to other veterans who were there.

“Were they there when Sen. Kerry and his crew attacked positions of the Viet Cong on the Dong Cung River in Vietnam?  No.

[RWC] And neither was Mr. Reese.

“Didn’t one of Kerry’s current critics, now-retired rear Adm. Roy Hoffman, congratulate the three swift boats involved in that mission for overwhelming the enemy?  Yes.”

[RWC] Let me get this straight.  In the previous sentence Mr. Reese implied only eyewitnesses could have input, but cites a positive statement by Hoffman who was not an eyewitness.  Criticism by a non-eyewitness is bogus, but praise by a non-eyewitness is OK.  That’s a tad inconsistent.

It’s true Hoffman praised the crews back in 1969, but that was based on the Silver Star citation that was based on Kerry’s account of the incident.  In 1996, Hoffman began to learn most sailors and servicemen present during the incident had a different recollection, including a member of Kerry’s crew.

“Didn’t Kerry initiate the tactic of turning swift boats directly into enemy fire and attacking those enemy positions on the banks of the rivers?  Yes.”

[RWC] From my research, this is not a tactic of which to be proud.  Mr. Reese forgot to mention this “tactic” involved beaching the boat.  It appears this tactic is and was considered militarily stupid because in doing so the sailors and soldiers on board gave up the maneuverability, firepower, and protection of the boats.  It also risked destruction of the boat because the shores were frequently mined.

“Didn’t U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum demean all veterans when he blamed Kerry for causing the current swift boat fiasco after Kerry promoted his military service at the Democratic National Convention?  Yes.”

[RWC] Wrong.  If Kerry didn’t want a spotlight on his service, he shouldn’t have made it a central part of his campaign.

“Is there anything wrong with any politician promoting his or her military service to our country as part of their campaign strategy?  No.”

[RWC] Right answer, but a person cannot run on his military service – or any single issue – and then claim it’s off limits for analysis or critique.

“Shouldn’t Santorum be thankful that veterans in all wars, including Kerry, fought to keep America free so politicians like Santorum could become U.S. senators?  Yes.”

[RWC] Santorum never said or implied otherwise.

“As a Republican and veteran of World War II, I plan to work for and vote for U.S. Sen. John Kerry for president.  I urge other Republican and Democratic veterans - and the public - to do the same.  We owe it to our children and grandchildren to do so.”

[RWC] Wrong.  We owe it to ourselves and future generations to re-elect President Bush, and it has nothing to do with Vietnam.

© 2004 Robert W. Cox, all rights reserved.