In my hypothesis, Kerry’s request for full pardon was granted. Kerry applied for his military records to be corrected accordingly, and applied for an honorable discharge. The Secretary of the Navy wrote to Kerry on Feb 16 1978, enclosing an Honorable Discharge Certificate and stating:
“This action is taken in accordance with the approved recommendations of a board of officers convened ... to examine the official records of officers of the Naval Reserve on inactive duty and determine whether they should be retained on the rolls of the Reserve Component or separated from the naval service pursuant to Secretarial instructions promulgated in reference [c].”
This may explain why he has numerous citations for his Silver Star and other decorations. All signed at different times.
It is customary to strip all decorations from an individual who is discharged dishonorably.
Over the years, he might have petitioned to get them back. Friendly military leaders may have signed on.
Just a thought.
There is no way Kerry was given a dishonorable discharge. If he did I doubt he would have been eligible to run for the Senate or any other public office. Dishonorable discharges are a huge deal in the military and VERY rare. It would be a matter of public record.