The word directly from NC is that the discharge was "less than honorable" for an officer that's similar to what is now called an "undesirable" discharge for an enlisted man.
From a political perspective it shouldn't make a lot of difference as the cause was his collusion the NVC (North Vietnamese Communists).
Lipscomb's article is going to be key. I'm told NC was shut down by him for leaking the story too early. That's why the thread was pulled from Swiftvets yesterday. Also, Swiftvets Leadership stood down the planned Rally for Sunday for similar reasons.
If you do a little research you'll find out who the only living SecNav from the era could be. Putting some pressure on him outside of the Swiftvet umbrella may help.
Paul R. Ignatius...............................1 Sep 19 - 24 Jan 1969
John H. Chafee...............................31 Jan 1969 - 4 May 1972
John W. Warner.............................4 May 1972 - 8 Apr 1974
J. William Middendorf....................8 Apr 1974 - 20 Jan 1977
W. Graham Claytor, Jr...................14 Feb 1977 - 24 Aug 1979
Edward Hidalgo..............................24 Oct 1979 - 20 Jan 1981
John Lehman..................................5 Feb 1981 - 10 Apr 1987
James H. Webb............................. 1 May 1987 - 23 Feb 1988
William L. Ball............................... 28 Mar 1988 - 15 May 1989