Changes

Kerry enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in February, 1966, and began active service that August as Ensign aboard the USS Gridley, a Guided Missile Frigate deployed in the Gulf of Tonkin.  During his tour of duty, Kerry requested his second tour be in Vietnam, listing his preferred position as commandeering a Fast Patrol Craft (PCF) or "Swift Boat."  His request was granted, and on November 17, 1968 he reported to Cam Ranh Bay for a month of training.  During his service, he recieved the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and a total of three Purple Hearts during combat operations inside Vietnam, and after his third injury was permitted to request reassignment as per Navy instruction 1300.39, Leaving Vietnam on April 2, 1969.  Upon returning stateside, he served as personal aide to Rear Admiral Walter Schlech until March 1970 when his active duty obligation had ended.  Kerry continued serving in the Naval Reserves until February 1972.

Kerry enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in February, 1966, and began active service that August as Ensign aboard the USS Gridley, a Guided Missile Frigate deployed in the Gulf of Tonkin.  During his tour of duty, Kerry requested his second tour be in Vietnam, listing his preferred position as commandeering a Fast Patrol Craft (PCF) or "Swift Boat."  His request was granted, and on November 17, 1968 he reported to Cam Ranh Bay for a month of training.  During his service, he recieved the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and a total of three Purple Hearts during combat operations inside Vietnam, and after his third injury was permitted to request reassignment as per Navy instruction 1300.39, Leaving Vietnam on April 2, 1969.  Upon returning stateside, he served as personal aide to Rear Admiral Walter Schlech until March 1970 when his active duty obligation had ended.  Kerry continued serving in the Naval Reserves until February 1972.

During his 2004 campaign for President, several groups were formed, most notably the [[Swift Boat Veterans for Truth]]<ref>[http://www.swiftvets.com/index.php Swift Vets and POWs for Truth]</ref>, to counter the charges of  "[[war crimes]]" Kerry repeatedly made against Vietnam veterans (see below) and to call Kerry's military record into question, accusing him of inflicting his own wounds,ref>[http://www.learnedhand.com/kerryunfitepilogue.htm John Kerry - Unfit For Command]</ref> going to unusual lengths to obtain his Purple Hearts,<ref>[http://www.archive-news.net/Articles/FD040830.html ''Forging a Paper Hero: The Mystery of Kerry’s Medals] </ref> and attacking unarmed civilians.  Swift Boat Veterans for Truth had been publically criticised, firstly because no member of the group actually served on the boats that Kerry commanded or witnessed the events described, and secondly for internal consistancy and contradiction.  As an example, one member of the group was Kerry's commanding officer, George Elliott, who as late as 2003 expressed having "no regrets or second thoughts at all" about writing Kerry up for his Silver Star,<ref>[http://www.boston.com/globe/nation/packages/kerry/061603.shtml ''John Kerry: A Candidate in the Making] </ref> only claim the exact opposite the following year.,<ref>[http://www.snopes.com/politics/kerry/service.asp ''Snopes.com: Service Mettle] </ref>

During his 2004 campaign for President, several groups were formed, most notably the [[Swift Boat Veterans for Truth]]<ref>[http://www.swiftvets.com/index.php Swift Vets and POWs for Truth]</ref>, to counter the charges of  "[[war crimes]]" Kerry repeatedly made against Vietnam veterans (see below) and to call Kerry's military record into question, accusing him of inflicting his own wounds,<ref>[http://www.learnedhand.com/kerryunfitepilogue.htm John Kerry - Unfit For Command]</ref> going to unusual lengths to obtain his Purple Hearts,<ref>[http://www.archive-news.net/Articles/FD040830.html ''Forging a Paper Hero: The Mystery of Kerry’s Medals] </ref> and attacking unarmed civilians.  Swift Boat Veterans for Truth had been publically criticised, firstly because no member of the group actually served on the boats that Kerry commanded or witnessed the events described, and secondly for internal consistancy and contradiction.  As an example, one member of the group was Kerry's commanding officer, George Elliott, who as late as 2003 expressed having "no regrets or second thoughts at all" about writing Kerry up for his Silver Star,<ref>[http://www.boston.com/globe/nation/packages/kerry/061603.shtml ''John Kerry: A Candidate in the Making] </ref> only claim the exact opposite the following year.,<ref>[http://www.snopes.com/politics/kerry/service.asp ''Snopes.com: Service Mettle] </ref>

==Opposition to the Vietnam War==

==Opposition to the Vietnam War==