Charles Plumly

Captain Charles "Charley" Plumly, a member of the 1955 Class of the U.S. Naval Academy, is a member of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. 

Public Statements Regarding Senator John Forbes Kerry

 * Robert B. Bluey, "Kerry Was a 'Loose Cannon' While in Vietnam," CNS News.com/Media Research Center, 2002:


 * Another officer, retired Capt. Charley Plumly, said Kerry was under his command for two or three naval operations. He criticized Kerry's attitude and behavior.


 * "Kerry would be described as devious, self-absorbing, manipulative, disdain for authority, disruptive," Plumly said, "but the most common phrase you would hear [was] 'requires constant supervision.' "


 * Thomas Fitton, Request for Investigation, Determination and Final Disposition of Awards Granted to Lieutenant (junior grade) John Forbes Kerry, USNR, Judicial Watch, August 18, 2004:


 * "Captain Charles Plumly, USN (retired) (under whose command Senator Kerry served during a Swift Boat operation from 5 – 7 March 1969) found Senator Kerry to be 'like a child with an attention problem,' who simply would not obey orders. Captain Plumly reported Senator Kerry’s poor performance to Admiral Roy Hoffman (quoted above).  Captain Plumly assesses Senator Kerry as follows:


 * "During Lt.(jg) Kerry's tour, he was under my command for two or three specific operations, before his rapid exit. Trust, loyalty and judgment are the key, operative words.  His turncoat performance in 1971 in his grubby shirt and his medal-tossing escapade, coupled with his slanderous lines in the recent book portraying us that served, including all POWs and MIAs, as murderous war criminals, I believe, will have a lasting effect on all military veterans and their families.  Kerry would be described as devious, self-absorbing, manipulative, [having] disdain for authority, disruptive, but the most common phrase that you'd hear is 'requires constant supervision.’"


 * However, according to his biography, Kerry was on leave in Saigon on March 4 and 5, 1969, and flown back to An Thoi on March 6 for a ceremony in which he was awarded the Silver Star and the other participants of the February 28, 1969 action were also awarded medals ("Tour of Duty," Douglas Brinkley, pp. 293-294). Navy records confirm that his Silver Star medal was awarded on March 6 .  In addition, there are no after action reports for Kerry's boat, PCF 94, for those dates.


 * Thus, Kerry could not have served under Plumly "during a Swift Boat operation from 5-7 March 1969."

SourceWatch Resources

 * Bush administration smear campaigns: John Forbes Kerry