It was not listed on his Silver Star citation nor did he wear one on his Silver Star ribbon on Meet the Press in 1971.
My question in other "medal" threads is exactly how did the "V" get on his 214&215's? Normally, lower enlisted personellmen or yeomen types prepare the separation documents by reviewing the service jacket. Then they are approved by the division CPO or maybe PO1 before being submitted to the division officer for signature. How is that no one in the processing chain caught this discrepancy, and Kerry even signed it, knowing no such device is given with the SS?
My guess is the original citation denotes a "V" device and some orders were given to push it through. What other answer is there for so many not to know it was erroneous. That is the job of the admin types when they process separation documents.
But the real question here is, why was he even awarded a SS for shooting ONE injured fleeing enemy behind a hut that no one can authenticate? And this was after endangering his boat by beaching it, against SOP, and leaving his command! Something about the enemy kid had a grenade launcher? And which citation is true? He beached the craft and went after the kid alone, or, he led a patrol ashore as one of his later citations reads. See below:
Comparison of Kerry's 3, repeat, THREE ever changing Silver Star citations
Well, at least the one he posted on his website. Makes you wonder if that is his real one. His rank and date of separation don't agree with other documents on his site either.