Kerry Military Records -- High Praise, Combat Kills

Wed Apr 21, 2004 06:36 PM ET

By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's military records, released on Wednesday after critics questioned one of his medals, show he was a highly praised commander credited with killing at least 20 enemy soldiers.

The records, posted on the campaign's Web site, include effusive evaluations of Kerry's service and previously released citations for the Silver Star, Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts he earned in the Vietnam War.

Kerry, who served as a swiftboat commander in Vietnam's Mekong Delta in 1968 and 1969 during his second tour of duty, "frequently exhibited a high sense of imagination and judgment in planning operations against the enemy," according to a January 1969 evaluation by a supervisor.

The report noted Kerry "exhibited all of the traits desired of an officer in a combat environment" and was "unofficially credited with 20 enemy killed in action."

Other reports from command school and officer evaluations described him as "a highly talented, polished and professional naval officer" and "highly intelligent, well read and skilled."

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At least Mr. Kerry knows what the phrase "mission accomplished" really means.