Mr. Hank,

I have seen nothing that would support a charge of cowardice. For all we know SOP for the situation may have been to accelerate away and return (or keep going). I believe that the boats were returning from a mission and that the river was fairly narrow, if Kerry were leading another boat he would have to clear room for the other boat to maneuver. I’ve read the story a few times and I don’t feel that Kerry’s action can be considered to be cowardice. Remember there was a seine net mid stream that cut maneuver room to a minimum.