Obviously, he doesn't recall it specifically, if you read his statements.
I would think that he would recall it well since he was the eyewitness listed for at least one (and probably all) of the Bronze Stars awarded that day (kerry's, Thurlow's and his own).
Had he not been the eyewitness who confirmed the circumstances of the incident, I could easily accept faulty/fuzzy recall for the vagueness. As it is, I have a hard time believing it.
The three boats that stayed to help PCF 3 were there for about an hour in a waterway that was 75 yards wide.
There were NO reports of injuries from gunfire.
There were NO reports of Gunfire damage to the boats.
How do the Viet Cong miss 3 stationary 55 ft boats at less than 75 yards?