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FR speculation was that it was to get a replacement medal for one of those he threw away back in 1971. But, you know, ribbons and medals, they were interchangeable back then. But he didn't throw HIS away; he threw some belonging to another guy, and he only threw his ribbons, because he left his medals at home.

Please read this entire post before flaming lol... Throwing medals away is no big deal. Just like anything else, they get worn out, lost, stolen, etc. I've probably replaced every ribbon and medal I ever earned at least twice. All you have to do is take a copy of the citation with you to the military clothing sales store, and present it to the cashier when you're ready to pay. The citation (or DD214, if you're out) is usually all that's required to show that you did, indeed, earn the medal. So, JFK throwing his medals over the fence (or someone else's medals, whatever), though highly symbolic and offensive, is largely meaningless. He could buy more AS LONG AS HE DIDN'T DESTROY THE CITATION.

Now, it's VERY unusual to have to replace a citation, except in the event it was stolen, destroyed (think house fire), or something like that. It's very rare.

Now, it's very unusual to have to replace a citation...

Did you see this from my earlier post?

Boston Globe, 10/6/96...Profile of John F. Kerry:

Referring to the medal toss...
"Veterans hurled their medals high on the steps of the Capitol. Many cried. Someone put up a sign on the fence that read, "Trash." Soon, they began throwing not just Bronze and Silver stars and Purple Hearts, but citations, discharge papers, caps, jackets and canteens.

I'd never read that some of the protesters were throwing back their citations.