Kerry has been a political animal from the age of 10. He used to rub elbows with the kennedy's and other demo garbage. He knew the game. Kennedy was the same, he didn't deserve his accolades. He should have had a Captains Mast for what happened.
FWIW - I have 2+ rows of ribbons, and have never read the commendation to go with any of them, the only reason I know I have them is from my DD214. In fact I had a few more than I knew when I got out.
I know what you mean - I remember looking at my DD-214 and going "Huh? Ok, whatever..." LOL