Sun. Chicago Tribune: Editor's Personal Recollection of Kerry Heroics

[Inland]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-040821kerry,1,7582568.story?coll=chi-news-hed

The commander of a Navy swift boat who served alongside Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry during the Vietnam War stepped forward Saturday to dispute attacks challenging Kerry's integrity and war record.

William Rood, an editor on the Chicago Tribune's metropolitan desk, said he broke 35 years of silence about the Feb. 28, 1969, mission that resulted in Kerry's receiving a Silver Star because recent portrayals of Kerry's actions published in the best-selling book "Unfit for Command" are wrong and smear the reputations of veterans who served with Kerry.

Rood, who commanded one of three swift boats during that 1969 mission, said Kerry came under rocket and automatic weapons fire from Viet Cong forces and that Kerry devised an aggressive attack strategy that was praised by their superiors. He called allegations that Kerry's accomplishments were "overblown" untrue.

"The critics have taken pains to say they're not trying to cast doubts on the merit of what others did, but their version of events has splashed doubt on all of us. It's gotten harder and harder for those of us who were there to listen to accounts we know to be untrue, especially when they come from people who were not there," Rood said in a 1,700-word first-person account published in Sunday's Tribune.

Rood's recollection of what happened on that day at the southern tip of South Vietnam was backed by key military documents, including his citation for a Bronze Star he earned in the battle and a glowing after-action report written by the Navy captain who commanded his and Kerry's task force, who is now a critic of the Democratic candidate.

[still_one]

1. There is some integrity left in journalism

[Inland]

4. But read the article announcing the piece

It isn't even journalism. The guy didn't want to write it, didn't give interviews, didn't want to remember those days, period. He just can't allow vets to be smeared anymore. Great guy, apparently.

[Occulus]

36. Well, now, wait.

I'm taking your final comment as sarcasm, and perhaps I'm wrong on that score. However, as an editor at a large paper, this guy to my mind had an obligation to remain above the fray by virtue of the pulpit he can speak from. Now, he's decided enough is enough.

That does take integrity. It sounds as though this editor has that.

[indie_voter]

2. :) n/t

[Proud2BAmurkin]

3. Swift boat dirtbags exposed again

nt

[Dudley_DUright]

5. I guess registering for the online ChiTrib was worthwhile after all

Thanks for the heads up.

[bogey18]

6. Does anyone have an e-mail address for Rood?

We have to thank each and every person who stands up for the truth, because God knows her is going to be attacked by all of the Moonies over this.

[Inland]

7. You can always write him at the Trib--he's an editor at the metro desk

[TahitiNut]

20. It's probably '[e-mail]'

That's according to their account naming conventions.

On edit: Yes, it is.
All their email addresses are listed at http://www.chicagotribune.com/services/site/chi-newspaperemail.story

[bogey18]

27. Thanks

I have already sent him an e-mail thanking him for stepping up.

[TahitiNut]

30. Y'welcome. I sent an email, too.

Here it is ...

Dear Mr. Rood ...

Thanks for 'coming out' on the story regarding Kerry's service in Viet Nam in 1969. As a Viet Nam veteran who was stationed at Long Binh (USARV HQ) throughout 1969, I'm all too aware of the hostilities that month. (We repelled an attack of an augmented NVA battalion along our southern perimeter less than a week before you and others encountered the bushwhacking in the Mekong.)

There's almost nothing that pains me more than the slanders and libels regarding the honorable service of those of us who served in Viet Nam. While I'm also well aware of the atrocious behavior of a small minority (and the complicity of some in command), painting honorable and courageous service with the corrupt brush of blind, rabid partisanship is a syndrome that harms us all.

Welcome home, bro'!

<signed>

[Longhorn]

Really nice!

And thank YOU for your service as well! :toast:

[MODemocrat]

52. Good photo Longhorn

Did you get it from the Internet? Kerry looks like a president should look.

[Longhorn]

62. The photo of Kerry

is one of the avatars available on this site. I agree -- he's quite "presidential!"

I wouldn't be surprised if the young man featured in my signature ends up on the national scene as well!

[JLuckey]

8. This is very, very good stuff...........

I knew these Swift Boat lies would slowly unravel, and I think this is just the start. Now lets hear from some TANG Pilots. You know your out there.

[Spazito]

9. Wow, thanks for this!

It totally and irrefutably destroys the Swift Boat for bush liars by someone who was there and was a first-person witness!

[Inland]

10. And you haven't even read it yet. Get Sunday Trib

[Spazito]

16. There is a link in the article you posted that takes you to...

his statement, it is very powerful! I hope this goes far and wide, it has such integrity within it, imo!

[City Lights]

21. His entire 1,700-word essay will appear tomorrow.

The link here is an article on his essay.

[indie_voter]

24. Link to essay

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-040821rood,1,2328121.story?coll=chi-news-hed

[NMDemDist2]

26. argh I can't log into the ChiTrib

no matter what I do, it hates my cookies settings :cry:

[UTUSN]

18. Not Read Yet? There's a Link inside the Original Link

Thank Zeus this dude is speaking up. Whatever his personal reasons for not talking further, this is not the time for silence. The scoundrels win when the good guys are silent.

[City Lights]

23. Missed that.

Thanks.

[MasonJar]

11. If Kerry loses the race, he has a monumental case for slander

and libel. These accusations are dishonorable and disgraceful; we must coounter them at every turn. they have made inroads against Kerry, but that can be countered by us. I am going to make copies of this article and other accounts that contradict the smear and I am going to start leaving them whereever I can. Also I am going to tell everyone who will listen that these despicable tactics are typical Bush. He cannot win on his own record, so he has to lie about his opponent.

[TiredTexan]

12. Be sure to click on the link

in the story. It takes you to Rood's statement, which is uncontrovertable.

If this were tried in a court of law, slander and libel could easily be proved, and I think the malace standard is also met.

[mountainvue]

13. Thank you Mr. Rood.

Thank you for your service and thank you for the TRUTH.:)

[TahitiNut]

14. What hasn't been emphasized ...

... is how violent the days in late February 1969 were. The NVA and VC were actually far more active in the south than in 1968 (the "Tet" most folks are familiar with).

Believe me - that's when I was there (at Long Binh, near Bien Hoa). Hostile actions in the Mekong were a plague at that time. Duty on Swift Boats was, beyond a doubt, the most dangerous duty a regular Gob (Navy) could face. The Navy (and the Air Farce) were the 4-year last resorts of lots of guys who just wouldn't roll the dice on the draft. But the Swift Boats were more dangerous than about 80% of what Army personnel faced. The nightmare duties were (for me): tunnel rat in the Iron triangle, Swift Boats in the Mekong, Cambodian incursions, and I-Corps LRPs.

It was less than a week before Kerry got his Silver that we were attacked on our southern perimeter (at our section of the bunker line) by an augmented battalion of NVA. That's when the action occurred above my head for which one of the "Congressional" Medals of Honor was awarded in Vietnam. It was a frightening time.

February 1969 was exactly what DimSon ran from like the coward he is.

[0007]

15. If there's a God, I say thank you!

[Octafish]

17. The Truth!

Thanks for the heads-up on a must read by the Tribune editor William Rood, an officer who skippered a Swift Boat with John Kerry the day Kerry earned a Silver Star.

BTW: Here's a link to info on Lt. (j.g.) Donald Droz, the skipper of the third boat in that formation. These men are and were the bravest of the brave. Lt. Droz was KIA six weeks later.

http://www.virtualwall.org/dd/DrozDG01a.htm

[captain_change]

28. Lt (jg) Droz's Daughter's film

I encourage everyone to see the film by Lt (jg) Droz's daughter Tracy's film "Be Good, Smile Pretty", I actually was in tears for most of it

http://www.orphansofwar.org/

[Octafish]

34. Thanks for the heads-up. I'll get it ASAP.

The story is remarkable. As the filmmaker attests: Every person lost in Vietnam and in war means our world has suffered an infinite loss.

BTW: A hearty welcome to DU, captain_change!

[NMDemDist2]

19. MSNBC is running Rood's account as well

:bounce:

[DeepModem Mom]

22. Tears in my eyes here -- Very good news this is on TV, and great American

-- Mr. Rood, of the Metro desk.

[Inland]

31. The LATimes and NYT will surely pick it up too

LATImes is also owned by Tribune Co media giant and NYT is on their news service

WGN radio and TV superstations also owned by media giant.

[Stuckinthebush]

25. This entire SBV for Truth lie is blowing up hard

It will backfire - and probably already has backfired on the Bush team.

The true Bush loyalists eat this stuff up and obviously love it. These are not the people we care about in terms of votes.

The "swing" voter who is on the fence about Bush/Kerry, the disgruntled veteran, and the current service members who are already peeved at Bush will see this attack as dirty. They won't take kindly to an obvious smear campaign based in untruths that cast doubts on all of the service people who served with Kerry.

The good thing about this getting a great deal of play in the media is that MSNBC and CNN are starting to denounce it hard. The voters we care about will hear these denouncements and this will swing them firmly into Kerry's camp.

Karma's a bitch.

[bogey18]

29. Hope you are right

I have been waiting for Karma to catch up with these bastards for awhile

[MODemocrat]

50. Bush looks cheaper each day

Everytime a real hero comes forward in Kerry's defense, it makes Bush look like the dud that he is. It will not surprise me if pretty soon, the curtain opens to a pitiful "wizard" setting there fanning his "dry ice" and still pretending to be something great.
:nuke:

[Tatiana]

32. From Rood's account:

The first time we took fire—the usual rockets and automatic weapons—Kerry ordered a "turn 90" and the three boats roared in on the ambush. It worked. We routed the ambush, killing three of the attackers. The troops, led by an Army adviser, jumped off the boats and began a sweep, which killed another half dozen VC, wounded or captured others and found weapons, blast masks and other supplies used to stage ambushes.

Meanwhile, Kerry ordered our boat to head upstream with his, leaving Droz's boat at the first site.

It happened again, another ambush. And again, Kerry ordered the turn maneuver, and again it worked. As we headed for the riverbank, I remember seeing a loaded B-40 launcher pointed at the boats. It wasn't fired as two men jumped up from their spider holes.

My G-d. What a frightening, horrendous experience. And this man must dredge all these unpleasant memories up in order to refute the Swift Boat LIARS. What a man of integrity.

[Inland]

33. Nobody but a dirtbag Bushie would force vets to relive the details

[glitch]

42. Indeed

:grr:

[jdj]

39. Anyone willing to post the link inside the link?

I mean, if it will keep me from having to register...it probably won't, but one can hope.

[JPJones]

35. Log in problems?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/7/19/0322/76355

[DU GrovelBot]

37. ## PLEASE DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##

==================
GROVELBOT.EXE v3.0
==================



This week is our third quarter 2004 fund drive. Democratic
Underground is a completely independent website. We depend almost entirely
on donations from our members to cover our costs. Thank you so much for
your support.

[Keirsey]

38. hehe

Can't wait to see how the freeps spin this one!

[Gin]

40. I was thinking...why don't all the guys who served with kerry on the boat

with him...sue the bast*rds?

They (thugs)are impuning the intergrity of these guys by calling them liars...a nice class action case would be a good thing.

[Zorra]

41. Yes. These liars would lose everything the republicans (probably)

paid them to smear Kerry, and more.

The Bu$h campaign sends out the swiftboat liars to do their evil deeds:

[Tsiyu]

43. This Deserves a Kick

And Zorra, the cartoon is giving me chills. As a kid, The Wizard of Oz always terrified/thrilled me. This cartoon conjures up all the evil quite well. Cheney as the Wicked Witch! How Sensitive!

:kick:

[govegan]

44. Story available at truthout.org

http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/082204Y.shtml

[Rowdyboy]

45. I had tears in my eyes mid-way through this piece

and could barely finish it. God bless this man for what he has lived and what he is voluntarily putting himself through again.

Mr Rood is the sort of man that defines "patriot"

[GaryL]

46. Me too.

What's being done to Kerry is more than vicious. It's opening old wounds that this country has tried for decades to heal. I lost a good friend to that damn war and B* has done nothing but impugn his sacrifice.

[Judi Lynn]

47. He gave depth to the story the Bush bastards had tried to reduce

to a trivial excursion on the river. He showed that actually it was far more complex and intense than the Kerry side had described. It makes Kerry look MORE valuable and involved than we already thought he'd been.

Surely glad Mr. Rood spoke up to add his voice, for the record.

[TacticalPeek]

48. CNN's Jill Doherty just reported Rood's story, standing at the pig farm.

Also covered a Vietnam vets group that called Shrub a DESERTER!

Fn A!




Say it, Mass Media: DE-SER-TER.

[OKNancy]

49. Kick

Happy day

[Cha]

51. Kick, Kick, Kick!

Chew on this, w!

[TXDemGal]

53. My mother in Chicago

called me excitedly around lunchtime today to say this was on the front page of the Sunday Trib (which, of course, must be published on something like Thursday evening...heh). Another well deserved blow to the Swift Boat Liars for Smirk.

[Jack Rabbit]

54. This is good; is it on television?

I see on the other threat that MSNBC has it on their website. Is it on MSNBC? CNN? The networks? (I won't ask about Fox.)

Unfortunately, most Americans get their news from television; we saw polls as late as this spring that most Americans still had serious misconceptions about the Iraq War at that time. That is a phenomenon that can only be attributed to willful disregard of mainstream news organizations, especially broadcast journalists, to do their duty to inform the public.

This is only useful if it is being disseminated widely.

[drscm]

55. Leave it to the freepers to condemn someone who was there...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1196271/posts?q=1&&page=1#1

[Nancy Waterman]

56. Item now on Bloomberg

http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=aSyBQsvG2a8I&refer=top_world_news

[PatGund]

63. Are you kidding???

The fact that this guy is a newspaper editor will *automatically* invalidate it in most freepers and wingers eyes, because of that whole "liberal media bias" bullshit.

I can almost guarantee you that someone's going to claim that Kerry paid him off to write that article.

Sickening really, that that pack of cowards would attack a decorated veteran like that

[skip fox]

57. More recent SBV claims (by men actually there . . . what a concept!):

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=69031#

[alcuno]

58. Front page above the fold w/ an accompanying photograph.

I just picked up a copy of the Sunday Tribune.

[MallRat]

59. This is HUGE. The Trib is a CONSERVATIVE NEWSPAPER.

The fact that one of their own is coming forward with a account supporting Kerry is immensely important.

Could this finally mean "open season" on the Swiftboat Liars by mainstream right-leaning media? I'm not talking about the NY Post or Boston Herald... but other conservative newspapers could come out with both barrels blazing if they follow the Tribune's lead.

-MR

[Media_Lies_Daily]

64. Excellent point about the Chicago Tribune.

[0007]

60. I hope your tuning in Mr. bush and not tuning out!

The hole is getting deeper and darker, 'eh?

[Fleshdancer]

61. It's making the CBS Evening News right now folks!

FIRST STORY!

[Snazzy]

65. Yahoo! changed the link--new story is rated LOW--Rate it pls.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=536&ncid=536&e=2&u=/ap/20040822/ap_on_el_pr/tribune_editor_kerry

1.94 w/315