We've become conditioned to the hollywood flick of "mines" blowing up where its actually small packages with 2-4 ounces of low explosives and has some gasoline and other pyrotechnics to make it look powerful on the screen. Actually sea mines with approx 20+ pounds of High Explosives will actually tear a boat in two and the people therein will lose body parts for the explosive force of it.
So all in all it proves the point that the so-called "HERO" Kerry didnt dodge or survive a mine (that would be physically impossible since they'll be in little pieces) but instead the guy fell off the boat due to Kerry's reckeless managing the boat.
So instead of a medal he should have been disciplined at the Very least for endangering lives.
Well also about the mines... if Rassmann was in the water after the first mine went off and as Rassmann states he dove to the bottom of the river so he wouldn't get run over by any of the boats.... well with the underwater concussion of any other mines going off ?... Well have you ever dynamite fished?... if Rassmann survived any other mines going off near him ... he' remember it