In his role as an officer in charge of Swift boats, Kerry led five-man crews on a number of patrols into enemy-controlled areas.

They were called 'Swift boats' from the time the Navy put them into service.

P5M seaplane Patrol Squadrons, Navy destroyers, ocean minesweepers, PCFs (Swift boats) and United States Coast Guard cutters performed the operation.

FAREWELL to Swift boats and "Shove it!

Half Moon also served as a home base for 50-foot (15.25 m) U.S. Navy fast patrol craft (or "Swift boats") and participated in search and rescue operations.

Two helicopters took the trawler under fire while the 82-footers and Swift boats closed.

During his tour of duty as an Officer in Charge of Swift boats, Kerry led five-man crews on patrols into enemy-controlled areas.

In the advertisement, running on stations in Ohio, West Virginia and Wisconsin, men who served on Swift boats say Mr. Kerry "is no war hero" and "lied to get his Bronze Star."

A group of veterans has challenged the validity of the three Purple Hearts that Mr. Kerry received for wounds he suffered while serving on Swift boats in the Vietnam war.

The main effort since they'd been there was to protect their added squadrons of Swift boats and river-patrol boats by building a fortress around the base.