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The SBVT, registered under Section 527 of the U.S. tax code, publicized its criticisms of Kerry during the election campaign in a book, in television advertisements that the group ran in swing states, and in the media coverage some members received. The group was the target of complaints from the Kerry campaign (alleging that SBVT illegally coordinated with the Bush campaign) and independent groups (alleging improper fundraising).
The SBVT was formed in 2004. Membership was restricted to veterans of the Vietnam War who at some point served in a Swift boat unit, as did Kerry. Founding members of SBVT include Rear Admiral Roy Hoffmann (retired), a former commander of Swift boat forces; Houston attorney John O'Neill, the officer who had replaced Kerry as commander of Swift Boat PCF 94 in 1969 and who appeared opposite Kerry in a televised 1971 debate between them on The Dick Cavett Show; and 13 other named veterans. Several of those who joined SBVT during the 2004 campaign were officers who had previously praised Kerry's conduct during the Vietnam War. These included Division Commander Grant Hibbard, who wrote positive evaluations of Kerry, and Commander George Elliott, who submitted Kerry for a Silver Star. SBVT counts, in total, 16 of the 23 surviving officers who served with Kerry in Coastal Division 11 as members. [1]
Of the 3,500 Swift boat sailors who served in Vietnam, the names of some 250 appeared on the group's statement against Kerry. Later, two of the veterans whose names appeared on the letter denied giving permission for their names to appear and alleged that SBVT would not remove their names when requested by them to do so.[2] Afterwards, SBVT removed the contested names.[3].
The group's initial letter against Kerry stated "It is our collective judgment that, upon your return from Vietnam, you grossly and knowingly distorted the conduct of the American soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen of that war (including a betrayal of many of us, without regard for the danger your actions caused us). Further, we believe that you have withheld and/or distorted material facts as to your own conduct in this war." [4] In response to this latter charge, Kerry posted a partial collection of these military records to his campaign site. [5] [6]
Of those who served in Kerry's boat crew, only Stephen Gardner joined SBVT. All other living members of Kerry's crew supported his presidential bid, and some frequently campaigned with him. Kerry crewmembers have disputed some of SBVT's various allegations: "pure fabrication" (Jim Rassmann), "totally false" (Drew Whitlow), "garbage" (Gene Thorson), and "a pack of lies" (Del Sandusky). [7] [8] [9] [10] No members of SBVT were aboard Kerry's boat during any of the incidents for which he was decorated. For his part, Gardner - who claims to have served on Kerry's boat longer than any of the others - appeared in the group's third television advertisement, contending that Kerry's "Christmas in Cambodia" story is categorically false (see below).
On September 29, 2004, SBVT announced that it was joining forces with a group of American prisoners of war who were held captive by the North Vietnamese during the Vietnam War to form the new group, "Swift Vets and POWs For Truth". [11]
![[34]](http://graphics7.nytimes.com/images/2004/08/19/politics/campaign/20040820swift_graph.gif){kind=link}