Faking some of the incidents, to get enough Purple Hearts to get him out of country can easily be construed as cowardly. On the other hand, true heroes (what Kerry wants you to think he is, but he isn't), like Ollie North actually turned down Purple Hearts for legitimate injuries, so he could stay with his troops...
Let's see.... He tried to dodge the draft, but he screwed that up; when he got on those swift boats, they were to just ferry people from here to there, but Adm. Zumwalt changed the mission to one of combat reconaissance or sumping. When there was an explosion in the water, he took off like a scared rabbit. But he did return to pull someone out of the water. In the Senate he won't commit to practically any stand, but more taxes and government control.
He doesn't sound like a brave person to me -- only somewhat unlucky in the Vietnam era.
There is nothing more harmful, IMHO, to a political movement (conservative or liberal) than unfounded rumor, slander or innuendo made against honorably discharged veterans who did their duty and served their country but who might be on the other side of the political persuasion with the establishment making the claim. Such was done to President Bush (CBS story), Ollie North (Time magazine article during Iran-Contra), OR John Kerry, Bob Kerry, John Murtha and Max Cleland. They all served honorably! click here