You can serve with someone and not be on their boat. The boats traveled in tandem with other boats. When not on the boats, they were together.
Kerry is trying a very weak dodge on this one. His claiming that since these men weren't on the same boat as he they do not know him is specious at best. Its like saying "Because you weren't in my squad, but only in the same platoon, you have no clue as to who I am." BS!!! Most people know just about everyone in their company, and definitely everyone on their platoon. Further, he claims that boats only 50 yards away wouldn't know what was going on. Bullets travel alot farther than 50 yards, and so does the sound of gunfire.
It is beginning to sound like Kerry still weilds some authority over his old crew. They are the only ones saying that Kerry's version is correct. Everyone else that was in the AO says it is a load of crap. Two hundred plus versus a dozen... I would believe the larger group who has no stake in telling the truth.
But that is just me.