[angkor]

You are absolutely right, Feb 1978 (I prefer the Findlaw archive because the docs are dated in the index):

http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/jkerry/hondisres.pdf

"By direction of the president, and pursuant to reference (a), you are hereby honorably discharge from the U.S. Naval Reserve effective this date."

Feb 16 1978

[Mike Fieschko]

While that letter is a discharge, I don't remember seeing a 1978 Kerry DD214. The 1978 document's language is consistent with a discharge for strength adjustment. A 1978 DD214 would clear up the question.

Kerry's failure to release it is just as likely to be his setting a trap to lure folks going overboard, allowing him to respond with feigned injury, as Kerry hiding something damaging.