Presidential candidates right age for Vietnam, but few served in war

Presidential candidates right age for Vietnam, but few served in war

(EXCERPT) NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer

Saturday, October 25, 2003

(10-25) 10:51 PDT (AP) --
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democrats Wesley Clark and John Kerry are basing
their presidential campaigns largely on military service that includes
combat in Vietnam -- a distinctive qualification in a race full of
candidates who came of age during the war but did not fight.

Their White House rivals did not serve in Vietnam, even though most
turned 18 while young men were being drafted. They escaped combat with
deferments for college, medical problems, fatherhood and by serving in
the National Guard.

President Bush was in the National Guard during the war and did not
see combat.

Clark and Kerry mention their military service in nearly every
campaign appearance, offering their credentials as evidence they are
best prepared to lead the nation during the fighting against
terrorism.

Clark was an Army infantry officer and company commander in Vietnam.
He rose to four-star general and supreme allied commander of NATO
forces in Europe. Kerry was the skipper of a Navy swift boat in the
Mekong Delta of South Vietnam.

Both men received the Purple Heart after being wounded in combat and
were awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action.

"Obviously we've had presidents who haven't had military experience,"
Kerry said in an interview. "I understand that. It's not a
prerequisite...

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---------------------------
Otis Willie
Associate Librarian
The American War Library
http://www.americanwarlibrary.com