That just makes Kerry a liar, and a libeler of his fellow troops, but not a war criminal. Everything in that quote is legitimate military tactics as taught by the United States, and is in strict compliance with all international conventions. As a high-ranking (LT jg) officer, he knew that.
I don't care how he got his Silver Star (which I suspect was "medal inflation" given out to member of elite families), Kerry proved himself a coward afterwards. Anybody who says diametrically opposite things, depending on what's convenient for him at that moment, is a coward. He expects his distinguished lineage, and the wealthy women he has married, grants him that aristocratic privilege.
Kerry isn't a war criminal, he's a liar and a coward. But that makes him prime material to become president, as far as the RAT party is concerned.
Just a minor correction, a Navy Lieutenant (Junior Grade) is NOT a high ranking officer. He would be the next officer up from the lowest ranking officer, an Ensign. (Excluding warrant officers, who rank below Ensign)
While American POWs were being starved and beaten to elicit testimony against America and their fellow soldiers Kerry gave same freely in front of the world.
Yes he knew that, but I'd hardly call a Lt. jg (O-2 same as 1st Lt. in the other services) "high ranking", even the old cat here made O-3, and I assure you I never felt "high ranking".