on the aformentioned FactCheck,org, this was just one of the many inconsistencies and apparent misrepresentations given by the Kerry accusers:

FactCheck.org Republican-funded Group Attacks Kerry’s War Record

A serious discrepancy in the account of Kerry’s accusers came to light Aug. 19, when the Washington Post reported that Navy records describe Thurlow himself as dodging enemy bullets during the same incident, for which Thurlow also was awarded the Bronze Star.