[kabar]

Kerry says he was wearing the ribbons. Ribbons are attached to your shirt by clasps similar to those that hold earrings. It would take a considerable amount of time to remove nine ribbons. This could not possibly be mistaken for reaching into a shirt pocket.

Not so. There are just two pin like attachments to the shirt. The ribbons are mounted to a frame. You remove the frame, not the individual ribbons.

I find Oliphant's description less than credible. You can put the frame with the ribbons and individual medals in one hand and it would be difficult for someone one foot away to see what is in your hand.

[js1138]

Not so. There are just two pin like attachments to the shirt. The ribbons are mounted to a frame. You remove the frame, not the individual ribbons

You can purchase replacement ribbons mounted three to a frame, but that's not the way they're issued. If you look at the photograph of Kerry at the event, you can see several independently attached bars, at least. He could not have easily removed them with one hand.