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'''John Forbes Kerry''' (b. December 11, 1943) is the junior United States Senator from [[Massachusetts]] where he has been one of the most [[liberal]] senators<ref>http://nationaljournal.com/voteratings/sen/lib.htm</ref><ref>http://nationaljournal.com/voteratings/sen/cons.htm</ref> since 1984. In 2004, he ran an unsuccessful bid for the [[United States of America|United States]] [[President of the United States of America|presidency]] as the [[Democratic Party]]'s nominee, losing to [[Republican Party|Republican]] incumbent president [[George W. Bush]]. Kerry is currently the Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

'''John Forbes Kerry''' (b. December 11, 1943) is the junior United States Senator from [[Massachusetts]] where he has been one of the most [[liberal]] senators<ref>http://nationaljournal.com/voteratings/sen/lib.htm</ref><ref>http://nationaljournal.com/voteratings/sen/cons.htm</ref> since 1984. In 2004, he ran an unsuccessful bid for the [[United States of America|United States]] [[President of the United States of America|presidency]] as the [[Democratic Party]]'s nominee, losing to [[Republican Party|Republican]] incumbent president [[George W. Bush]]. Kerry is currently the Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

As a U.S. Navy officer Kerry briefly spent time in Vietnam. His service in Vietnam lasted 4 months and 12 days, beginning in November 1968 when he reported to Cam Ranh Bay for a month of training. His abbreviated combat tour ended shortly after he requested a transfer out of Vietnam on March 17, 1969, citing Navy instruction 1300.39 permitting personnel with three Purple Hearts to request reassignment. Some of Kerry's fellow soldiers believe his wounds were self-inflicted.<ref>[http://www.learnedhand.com/kerryunfitepilogue.htm John Kerry - Unfit For Command]</ref>

As a U.S. Navy officer spent about four months in Vietnam, beginning in November 1968 when he reported to Cam Ranh Bay for a month of training, and ending in March, 1969 with, having three Purple Hearts, Navy instruction 1300.39 permitting him to request reassignment. Some of Kerry's fellow soldiers believe his wounds were self-inflicted.<ref>[http://www.learnedhand.com/kerryunfitepilogue.htm John Kerry - Unfit For Command]</ref>

John Kerry was the only Swift sailor ever to leave Vietnam without completing the standard one-year tour of duty, other than those who were seriously wounded or killed. {{fact}} Kerry went to unusual lengths to obtain the Purple Heart after being turned down by his own commanding officer. {{fact}}

John Kerry was the only Swift sailor ever to leave Vietnam without completing the standard one-year tour of duty, other than those who were seriously wounded or killed. {{fact}} Kerry went to unusual lengths to obtain the Purple Heart after being turned down by his own commanding officer. {{fact}}