I don't know where he got it just now, but Rich Lowry, editor of the National Review Online, has published a statement by Larry Thurlow, the only other person besides John Kerry to receive the Bronze Star for actions performed in the aftermath of a mine explosion that damaged Swift Boat No. 3 on the Bay Hap River in early 1969. You need to read the whole thing, but here's the start:
I am convinced that the language used in my citation for a Bronze Star was language taken directly from John Kerry's report which falsely described the action on the Bay Hap River as action that saw small arms fire and automatic weapons fire from both banks of the river.
To this day, I can say without a doubt in my mind, along with other accounts from my shipmates--there was no hostile enemy fire directed at my boat or at any of the five boats operating on the river that day.
I submitted no paperwork for a medal nor did I file an after action report describing the incident. To my knowledge, John Kerry was the only officer who filed a report describing his version of the incidents that occurred on the river that day.
It was not until I had left the Navy--approximately three months after I left the service--that I was notified that I was to receive a citation for my actions on that day.