By Andrew Kramer
The Associated Press

2004 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

• America can do better, Kerry says • Text of John Kerry's acceptance speech • Pollster finds Kerry a hit with 'swings' • Delegates promise immediate Ohio blitz • Crew tells the nation about 'Nam exploits • Notes from Boston • Multimedia: Democratic convention • Gannett News Service convention coverage • Enquirer's election section

BOSTON - Standing with a dozen Vietnam crewmates, all fiercely loyal to John Kerry, former Special Forces officer Jim Rassmann told the nation how Kerry saved his life in 1969.

Rassmann's story came just before the presidential nominee's acceptance speech, designed to accentuate Kerry's leadership in wartime.

Kerry's service in Vietnam as commander of a Navy swiftboat in the Mekong Delta has been a main theme of the convention this week.

"You know, there was a time when I never thought I'd see these guys again. A lot of our friends never made it home. We still miss them, especially on a night like tonight," Rassmann said.

"I've seen John Kerry in action. I know his character. I've witnessed his bravery and leadership under fire. And I know he will be a great commander in chief."

Rassmann, who was leading a group of Chinese mercenaries on special operations, was knocked from the deck of Kerry's 60-foot patrol boat during an ambush on March 13, 1969.

He dived toward the river bottom to avoid the propellers, as bullets and rockets flew overhead.

When he came up for air, the boat was gone and Viet Cong on the river banks were sniping at him.

Kerry, noticing the man alone in the water, turned the boat around and came back for Rassmann, who grabbed a rope net on the bow.

He was not able to climb onto the deck, but Kerry pulled him over, earning a Bronze Star for valor and a Purple Heart for being wounded that day.

Many speeches at the convention have touched on the episode, with everybody from vice presidential nominee John Edwards on down pointing to it as evidence of Kerry's decisiveness in crisis.

It's a theme the swiftboat crew will take on the road over the next three months, either with Kerry or Edwards on the stump or to speak with veterans groups or at rallies, according to John Hurley, director of Veterans for Kerry.

The campaign plans to assemble the swiftboat crew for bus tours through the swing states.

The crew's message, Hurley said, is a powerful force in the campaign's final months.

"I'll burn the rest of my vacation on the campaign trail if I need to," said crewmate Fred Short, 56, of North Little Rock, Ark.