"thought" and "believed" does not mean you were
According to the Swiftie's account, after the mine detonated, the other boats sprayed the shore with machine gun fire. They ceased firing when they realized that there was no return fire.
Yes, but this guy got a bronze star for the incident, based on the report Kerry apparently wrote. So he has an interest in the matter. But, he doesn't appear to have a specific recollection of it.