IMHO, Kerry was given a less than honorable discharge because of his anti-American war activities with the radical group VVAW and also for meeting in secret with the Communist Vietnemese in Paris in 1970. After joining the senate he was able to convince people to convert his discharge to an honorable discharge. If he releases ALL of his military records, he is done politically and he knows it.
I agree with you and also with another's suggestion that his original advancement to Lt. was downgraded to 2nd Lt., then perhaps taken away upon his questionable discharge..
I await with baited breath the signing of the 180.