Because they became friends? Because Alston was wounded? Kerry and his crew has only placed Alston on the 94 and NO WHERE ELSE. Alston has said he was Kerry's gunner on the 94. Alston cannot prove he was on the 94 with Kerry because he cannot. If he could he would be recalling specific missions with Kerry, he does not because he cannot. The ball is in Alston's court if he wants to clear the air where and how he was able to serve under Kerry's command as a gunner. I am 99.9% sure he cannot.
Why aren't other Swifties saying Alston wasn't there?
Think story about Kerry/Alston to be phony, but like so many other Kerry lies, but need some specific proof before we run with it. Would be very embarassing if claim of phony Alston was made, then it was proved to be not true.
Could it be as simple as a typo on the casualty report? Or even poor handwriting? Sometimes a 9 can look like a 4 and vice versa.