We expect Navy officers to behave in an honorable way and Kerry was in a position where he could recommend himself for a medal and reasonably be assured that his recommendation would be acknowledged. It doesn't take an expert in Military affairs to determine that at least one and most likely two of Kerry's self recommended Hearts were not authorized. Kerry put himself in for the award when he threw a grenade into a cache of rice and was stung in the ass by a fragment of rice or the grenade. Self inflicted wounds are not authorized. Another Heart was self recommended for a "wound" that didn't even require a band aid when a mine went off in the river and Kerry was stung in the finger. His self recommended Silver Star is an embarrassment.
You don't have the facts straight.
Self-inflicted wounds can, depending on the circumstances, qualify for a PH. Bob Dole's 1st PH is a perfect example of this.
The two things you mention regarding Kerry's PH (the rice and mine) were actually on the same day, and resulted in one PH.
There is no evidence whatsoever that Kerry "self recommended" himself for that award. Furthermore, I don't think you can do that.
It is a fact that Kerry did not recommend himself for the Silver Star. His commander did that. No one involved has ever said Kerry recommended himself for that award. No one.
Doug Reese