"WalterM140" wrote in message
...

Senator Kerry's narrative portion of his fitness report:

"In 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. On one
occasion while in tactical command of a three boat operation his units
were
taken under fire from ambush. LTJG Kerry rapidly assessed the situation
and
ordered his units to turn directly into the ambush. This decision
resulted in
routing the attackers with several enemy KIAs.

LTJG Kerry emerges as the acknowledged leader in his peer group. His
bearing
and appearance are above reproach. He has of his own volition learned the
Vietnamese language and is instrumental in the successful Vietnamese
training
programs.

During this period of this report LTJG Kerry has been awarded the Silver
Star
medal, the Bronze Star medal, the Purple Heart medal (2nd and 3rd awards).

18 Dec 1969"


An opinion shared by few of his fellow officers.