So Kerry goes to Vietnam with his situation already "war-gamed." He writes himself up for three Purple Hearts from flesh wounds (who knows, they may have been self-inflicted?), and then does something outlandish and writes himself up for the Silver Star (while probably committing a war crime). The only real surprise here (for me) is that somebody actually approved these things! (I also wonder how many times he wrote himself up for things that were NOT approved?)
But at that point he had what he wanted: his ticket OUT of Vietnam (the self-serving coward), as well as his ticket-punch as a "war hero."
Who knows what his anti-war protests were motivated by? Whether they were calculated to appeal to a growing anti-war movement, or his true colors is really unimportant. Either way, it was wrong. (But good publicity for him)
Then he does what any aspiring politician would do: goes to law school, and straight into politics.
Kerry is a schemer and manipulator. I think Bush will kick his butt in the election; but Kerry must never be underestimated concerning what lengths he'll go to accomplish this goal -- it's his life's ambition.