Kerry was still a Navy Reservist at the time. So in addition he should have been brought up on charges based on several Punitive Articles of UCMJ. He should still be breaking rocks at Leavenworth.
I agree but it was treason even if a civilian had done it.
I think the penalty for that is an official neck tie party.
I vaguely remember seeing an ammended DD-Form 214 signed by Jimmy Carter around 1978 during his presidency granting an honorable discharge to John SKerry............
To this day I've always wondered why the Honorable wasn't issued when J. F'n Kerry originally left the Navy.........