I'd think that the crew of the boat would be able to substantiate coming under fire. As for the severity of the wound, the CO had the option of filing for the medal for Kerry or not. If the wound wasn't severe enough in the CO's eyes, he shouldn't have filed for the medal.

Then again, I've known of people who got the PH for very trivial things, but they happened during combat (catching a splinter on the way to a bunker during a mortar attack, for instance).

Frankly, I don't care. It was 35 years ago, and if there were doubts they should have been resolved long, long ago. To my mind, he's got three Purple Hearts.

Mind you, I'd much rather see BOB Kerrey running for President....