Statement by surviving Liberty radioman Richard "Rocky" Sturman: TO COMMAND... In each ship there is one man who, in the hour of emergency or peril at sea, can turn to no other man. There is one who alone is ultimately responsible for the safe navigation, engineering performance, accurate gunfire and morale of his ship. He is the Commanding Officer. He is the ship! Captain William Loren McGonagle, USS LIBERTY AGTR-5, CMH, USN In June 1982, fifteen-years after the attack, the survivors who could be located reunited for their first time in Washington, D.C. During that emotional, soul wrenching, and at times traumatic weekend, time and again what was discussed with incredulity was how our government, without challenge or dispute, was allowing the State of Israel to present their version of the attack to the American people as fact. One result of that weekend was that the USS LIBERTY VETERANS ASSOCIATION came into being so the remaining survivors and former crewmen could be located, to pay tribute to our Commanding Officer, Captain McGonagle and to our proud ship, USS LIBERTY. But more importantly, we gather to sustain the memory of our 34 friends and shipmates who gave their lives in the service of their country. Disgracefully, before awarding the Congressional Medal of Honor to our Commanding Officer for his heroic deeds our government first asked the government of the State of Israel if they had any objections. The Medal of Honor was then presented in a Washington, D.C. Naval Shipyard by the Secretary of the Navy. Hours later, then-President Lyndon Johnson awarded similar Medals of Honor at the White House with all the pomp and circumstance accorded the recipient of our country's highest award for Valor. Furthermore, Captain McGonagle, is the only recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor in United States history who has not been accorded White House recognition. So not to embarrass the State of Israel for attacking the USS Liberty, there is no mention in Captain McGonagle's Medal of Honor Citation or in any Citation awarded the USS Liberty and her crew as to the identity of the attackers. "CLAIMS, FACT and COMMENTS" concerns the 2pm, 8 June 1967 attack by the Israeli Defense Forces of the State of Israeli on our United States Navy intelligence-gathering ship USS LIBERTY (AGTR-5) , 4th day of the Arab-Israeli Six-day-war. By former Radioman 2nd Class (E-5) and survivor: Richard Samuel Sturman "Rocky" 28-50 45th Street. Astoria, New York 11103-1212 Home: (718) 728-5241 Fax: (718) 278-6169 I can not emphasize strongly enough that there is not one shred of evidence or documentation which our government has released, or admitted to, which would show that the attack was indeed accidental or a case of mistaken identity. To this day our governments response to query's concerning the attack is that "Israel apologized and paid compensation claiming the attack was accidental and a case of mistaken identity." -------------------------------------------------------------------- ISRAEL CLAIMED: The USS LIBERTY had no identification markings or distinguishing features - whatsoever! FACT: The two photos of the USS Liberty were taken during rescue operations and the evacuation of our dead and wounded - little more than 24 hours after the attack. They show our 10 foot high hull number and ship designation on the bow plus smaller hull and designation on the aft end - to be quite clear and distinct. FACT: On the USS Liberty's main-deck aft (the back end) was an 20 foot wide, 35 foot high, 10,000 Watt, TRESSCOMM (Technical Research Ship Special Communications) Microwave antenna. An antenna futuristic and odd in 1967 but today seen around the world, in backyards and on roof-tops was an antenna we call today a SATELLITE DISH. A Satellite dish antenna which only the USS LIBERTY (AGTR-5) and sister ship USS BELMONT (AGTR-4) had in 1967! COMMENT: One photo gives the reader a perspective as would be seen by the Israeli pilots flying over the Liberty. The other, as would be seen by the torpedo boat crews during their part in the attack. After examination of those photos, could the USS LIBERTY have been mistaken for anything other than what she was "an extremely elaborate state-of-the-art intelligence gathering platform." And could that 20 foot wide, 35 foot high mass of steel and hydraulics TRESSCOMM antenna have possibly been mistaken for a cargo boom to those highly trained Israeli Air and Naval Forces? Extreamly improable! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ISRAEL CLAIMED: They requested information from the American Embassy in Tel Aviv on U.S. ships operating off the Sinai - prior to attacking the USS LIBERTY. Also, former Head of Israeli Air Force Intelligence, General Yeshayeah Bareket, stated: "I personally called the American Embassy." FACT: This State Department document totally refuting those claims was declassified and released 09\22\82, states: FM AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE STATE GRNC BT C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 4178 REF: STATE 211695 "NO REQUEST FOR INFO ON U.S. SHIPS OPERATING OFF SINAI WAS MADE UNTIL AFTER LIBERTY INCIDENT. HAD ISRAELIS MADE SUCH AN INQUIRY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FORWARDED IMMEDIATELY TO THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS AND OTHER HIGH NAVAL COMMANDS AND REPEATED TO DEPT. BARBOUR." GP-3 FACT: The document which generated that "CONFIDENTIAL TEL AVIV 4178" was declassified and released 10\26\82, states: ACTION: Amembassy TEL AVIV IMMEDIATE. STATE 211695. 1. Washington Post JUNE 16 CARRIED FOLLOWING STORY FROM CORRESPONDENT BASED IN WASHINGTON: ISRAELI SOURCES SAID THAT WHEN FIGHTING BROKE OUT IN MIDDLE EAST JUNE 5, ISRAELI GOVT QUERIED US NAVAL ATTACH IN TEL AVIV AS TO WHETHER THERE WERE ANY AMERICAN SHIPS OPERATING IN MEDITERRANEAN OFF SINAI PENINSULA. ACCORDING STORY ISRAELIS QTE GOT NO RESPONSE UNQTE. 2. AS FAR WE AWARE, FIRST ISRAELI QUERY ALONG THESE LINES MADE TO AMERICAN OFFICIAL WAS THAT REPORTED IN DAO 0825 JUNE 8 WHICH WAS AFTER ATTACK ON USS LIBERTY. 3. REQUEST URGENT CONFIRMATION ABOVE AND ANY OTHER COMMENTS. GP-3. FACT: A June 1967 letter from then-President Lyndon Johnson to Congressman Joseph M. McDade (R-Penn), declassified and released 27 Jan 82, stated: "I have seen a report alleging that the Israeli Government had asked us about the presence of the ship prior to the attack, but that report is not true." COMMENT: Why didn't our Government immediately admonish the Government of Israel for issuing such a blatantly false statement (Washington Post) and demand a retraction if they knew it to be false? FACT: A TOP SECRET National Military Command Center document, declassified May 1979 states in paragraph 4: "At 081045 EDT, a message from the United States Defense Attach‚ Office in Tel Aviv stating that Israeli aircraft and motor torpedo boats had erroneously attacked a vessel in the Mediterranean sea at 080800 EDT, which was thought to be U.S. Navy ship." FACT: Then-American Ambassador to Israel, W. Barbour, was, if nothing else, a staunch Israeli supporter who spent much of the war in the Israeli war room and, a declassified cable on file in the LBJ Library shows that "hours after the incident he (Barbour) reported that Israel did not intend to admit to the incident." COMMENT: The above declassified NMCC document not only lends credence and support to the declassified cable on file in the LBJ Library, it dispels any notion and claim Israel immediately notified our government. Time wise, as Israel is 7 hours ahead of Washington, D.C. time, the government of Israel did not notify our government until 5:45 PM their time - 3 hours and 45 minutes after the attack. Our government then demanded through diplomatic channels that Israel assume responsibility for the attack, pay compensation to the families of the dead, the survivors and for the loss of the USS Liberty. FACT: The Government of Israel then for over 13 years nickel, dimed and procrastinated in the payment of that compensation with the final payment being made on terms and conditions stipulated by the government of Israel - not the United States. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- FACT: A 14 Nov. 1986 letter from Congressman Gary Ackerman (NY), to a constituent: "However, submarine photography taken during the incident indicates that the Liberty may have been under siege for approximately two hours. Further, it was later discovered that the Israelis had warned the U.S. to keep all intelligence ships away from their coast during the war. In fact, after the arrival of the Liberty, the Israelis warned Washington to order the ship to leave the area." COMMENT: The admission by Congressman Ackerman of a submarine following the USS Liberty and photographing the attack, was not the only such report. James Ennes, Jr., author of "Assault on the Liberty" and survivor, documents that fact in his book. Survivor, Joseph Lentini, while in the hospital recovering from his wounds was approached by a crew member of that submarine, who stated to him "we took pictures of the attack through our periscope." Who was that submarine? What was it doing there? Why didn't the Commanding Officer of that submarine turn those photos over to our government? If he did in fact do so, why does our government refuse to acknowledge the presence of that submarine? The only known fact about the submarine is that it was equipped for the insertion and recovery of frogmen. Interesting! WHY frogman? What purpose would an American submarine serve, along with its frogmen following the USS Liberty and off the Gaza strip? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- FACT: Information provided by the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) during a TOP SECRET closed door investigations committee hearing disclosed that the 1967 government of Israel informed the United States 24 hours prior to the attack "get that ship out of there - or we will attack it." ISRAEL CLAIMED: That the town of El-Arish was being shelled from the sea for hours-on-end as another reason for the attack. FACT: On the morning of 8 June, the airfield at El-Arish was already functioning as an advanced Israeli air base. As a matter of fact, Israel's hold on El-Arish was so complete a flight of Egyptian fighter aircraft landed at its airfield, deplaned, then walked right into Israeli Defense Forces arms and were captured without a shot or struggle. COMMENT: Israel recanted the claim of bombardment after the LVA (USS Liberty Veterans Association) proved it to be false. As all Israeli claims have been proven to be false. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ISRAEL CLAIMED: They "mistook" the USS LIBERTY for the Egyptian - El Quseir. FACT: The El Quseir at 275 feet, was 180 feet (1/3rd) shorter than the USS Liberty's 455 foot length. Additionally, the El Quseir at 2,640 gross tons, was 8,040 tons (4/5ths) less than the USS Liberty's 10,680 gross tonnage. Plus, the El Quseir was 20 feet narrower than USS Liberty's 62 foot beam (width). FACT: Research into the El Quseir "mistake" claim proved the El Quseir was not only tied to a pier in Alexandria, Egypt, the entire Six-day-war - it was unable to move. That was confirmed in late 1976 by Major General, Mohamed A. Abou Ghazald, of Egypt. And, it has also been shown our CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) knew the El-Quseir was in Alexandria, Egypt, at the time of the attack (The USS LIBERTY: DISSENTING HISTORY VS OFFICIAL HISTORY, By Doctor John E. Borne, Ph.D, Reconsideration Press, 1995). Though it has been proven the El-Quseir was in Egypt at the time of the attack, I have included a photo of the El-Quseir from the July 7, 1967 issue of Time Magazine, pg.15. I believe the reader will see that the only similarity between our two ships is that, we are both in the water. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ISRAEL CLAIMED: "The USS LIBERTY was moving at 28 knots," and their battle doctrine dictated "any vessel moving over 20 knots was a legitimate target." FACT: The USS Liberty could not move at 28 knots, having a maximum speed of 18 knots and cruising at the time of the attack at 5 knots. The El Quseir could not move at 28 knots either, having a maximum speed of 14 knots - 4 knots slower than the USS Liberty. COMMENT: A legitimate target even though in International waters? How absurd! There is no precedent in International law which would condone or justify such a statement, or action. If the USS Liberty could not move at 28 knots and, the El Quseir was tied to a pier in Alexandria, Egypt, at the time of the attack - I let you draw your own conclusion! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- FACT: Israeli Intelligence having done their homework prior to the outbreak of hostilities admitted: "knew the exact locations of all opposition forces and equipment - military and civilian." PRELUDE TO THE ATTACK: In all, there were 13 over-flights of the USS LIBERTY on 8 June 1967. 8 of those over-fights were low-level reconnaissance with Israeli jets and reconnaissance planes - passing as low as 200 feet above the USS Liberty's main-mast. Our personnel were not only able to distinguish the features of the pilots, they waved at them - which they returned. The USS LIBERTY was positively identified by the Israeli pilots who reported that fact to their headquarters in Tel Aviv, where we was designated and marked on the Israeli war-room plot-board as a "Neutral American Vessel." ISRAEL CLAIMED: They removed the USS Liberty's marker "because the data was old." FACT: The last reconnaissance over-flight - was 1 hour prior to the attack! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FACT: Two Israeli pilots, commencing their strafing-run, reported to their headquarters that the USS LIBERTY was an American ship. They were ordered to attack nonetheless! Those two pilots, refusing to attack, returned to their base, were arrested, court marshaled and given harsh jail sentences. COMMENT: Research into this aspect disclosed one of the pilots was so badly brutalized while incarcerated, he may never be released from the facility he is being detained in. The fate of the other pilot is unknown! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FACT: An American intelligence intercept station in Germany over-heard the Israeli pilots conversations, as did the USS Liberty's Communications Technicians who turned over their tapes and transcripts of those conversations to Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd who was in charge of the investigation aboard the USS Liberty. Also, then-American Ambassador to Lebanon, Dwight Porter, came forward in 1991 and stated "U.S. Embassy monitors in Lebanon over-heard the radio conversations between the Israeli pilots and their headquarters as well." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE ATTACK: The attack lasted a total of slightly over 2 hours, not the 5 minutes as reported by our government. Additionally, our government reported only 1 torpedo being launched and striking the USS LIBERTY. FACT: In all, there were 5 torpedoes launched. 1 torpedo struck to blast a 40 X 42 foot tear-drop shaped hole in the research and intercept compartments below the water-line, killing 25 of our 34 total dead. 171 of the Liberty's 294 man complement were wounded (almost 70% of our complement - dead or wounded). There were over 821 rocket, cannon and machine-gun hits inflicted. Napalm was used. All above deck water-tight hatches (doors), destroyed or damaged. All antennas, destroyed. The Captain's-gig (wood boat), rendered totally inoperable. The crew's motor-launch (wood boat), totally destroyed. All the Liberty's rubber life-rafts, except 3 - destroyed. Those 3 remaining life-rafts were put in the water in response to "prepare to abandon ship," were intentionally machine-gunned at close range by an Israeli torpedo boat crew. An action on their part which was, and still is, a violation of the Geneva Convention II for the Amelioration of the Conditions of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked members of the Armed Forces at Sea of 1949 (1991 edition, volume 64, INTERNATIONAL LAW STUDIES, THE LAW OF NAVAL OPERATIONS. published by the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, article titled "NAVAL TARGETING: LAWFUL OBJECTS FOR ATTACK" By Sally V. and William T. Mallison). One of the torpedo boats then took aboard their craft our now useless life-rafts depriving us of any means or chance of survival had the USS Liberty sank to the bottom of the international Mediterranean waters we were lawfully operating in. As to the attack on the USS Liberty itself, it has been shown that under international law - Israel had absolutely no right in attacking a non-beligerent vessel in international waters (Naval Law Review, Winter 1986, Vol. 36. "A JURIDICAL EXAMINATION OF THE ISRAELI ATTACK ON THE U.S.S. LIBERTY" LT.CMD. Walter L. Jacobsen, JAGC, USN). COMMENT: Could the infliction of the amount of damage and destruction done to the USS LIBERTY have been just pure luck? Or, putting those reconnaissance over-flights to good use as to what and where to hit so as to insure the Israeli Air and Naval forces could inflict the most possible damage, and hopefully, sink the USS LIBERTY? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FACT: The USS Liberty's OPERATIONAL RADIO FREQUENCIES along with the INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS FREQUENCY were radio-jammed to prevent our Radiomen and Communications Technicians from sending a distress call for help. COMMENT: How would the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) know what range of frequencies to initiate their radio-jamming on if they had not been using, prior to attacking, sophisticated RDF (Radio-Direction-Finding) equipment to scan for and locate our encrypted and unencrypted radio transmissions. A procedure, considering the equipment of that era, took quite some time. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FACT: In Israeli supplied gun-camera footage of the strafing on the USS LIBERTY for a Thames Television Production, subsequently shown on 20/20's "Story behind the Story" and "Now it can be told" has their pilots saying: "YOU HIT HER - YOU HIT HER GOOD" and "THERE'S OIL COMING OUT OF HER" FACT: The only way those Israeli pilots could have seen oil coming from the USS LIBERTY would have been AFTER the torpedo was put into our starboard (right) side, rupturing our fuel oil tanks. FACT: The Government of Israel in their account of the attack, stated: "their pilots departed the area before the torpedo boats arrived to commence their run-in and attack." FACT: Observation of that Israeli supplied gun-camera footage reveals it to have been reversed from a POSITIVE image to a NEGATIVE image almost totally devoid of detail. And a negative image DOCTORED by the placing of a rectangular mask over the USS Liberty's 10 foot high hull number and designation on the bow in order to give the impression and coincide with Israel's claim that there were no identification markings whatsoever. But to those familiar with the USS Liberty, detail, even in that doctored piece of celluloid can be discerned. Especially when knowing where and what to look for. COMMENT: It is interesting to note that in the beginning of the Thames documentary gun-camera footage of Israeli jets strafing opposition air bases are clear, distinct and of a positive image. If a doubt remains whether the footage has been doctored, I have reversed the image of the USS Liberty with the helicopter hovering over our forecastle. Also, it should be noted that the commentary by the pilots during the strafing at the beginning of the gun-camera segment, states: "...a recreation of the pilots words..." To say the least, very self -serving. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FACT: Mr. Michael Shiloh, Deputy Ambassador to Israel, Washington, D.C., in an attempt to placate insinuated that the attack was a result of "FRIENDLY FIRE". COMMENT: We could understand and forgive a friendly fire attack had it occurred during the dead-of-night and even in a jungle or desert scenario where men and equipment are camouflaged for protection. But the attack occurred at 2pm., after 13 over-flights, on a day totally devoid of cloud and while we were 13 1/2 miles out in international waters. And, as it was brought forth during the Naval Board of Inquiry: "the USS LIBERTY was the only non-Israeli ship in the area." "Friendly Fire" - I THINK NOT! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FACT: General Yeshayuah Bareket, former head of Israeli Air Force Intelligence, along with his aforementioned statement during the Thames documentary, stated: "...the ship is an obstacle or is disturbing our operations in the area" COMMENT: I need not really comment, that statement by General Bareket says it all. ------------------------------------------------------------------- FACT: Why has the Government of Israel been allowed to cast the aspersion that our United States Government was at fault for, and responsible for, the attack on the USS LIBERTY? FACT: An aspersion which has NEVER been addressed, answered to, or challenged by our government! And why are the some 6000 odd-pages of documents concerning the attack being suppressed by our Government, and the media? Suppressed, while documents and photos of investigations Congress sees fit to convene and the media deem appropriate to air are plastered across our tabloid headlines and shown for hours on end at top-of-the-hour news programs. While Israel and Israel's supporters in the United States consistently make reference to and claim "the attack was accidental," "It was a case of mistaken identity," "Israel claimed responsibility and paid compensation," plus then-Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara's, comment "It was the conclusion of the investigatory body, headed by an Admiral of the Navy in whom we have great confidence, that the attack was not intentional." Those statements and claims do not accurately reflect the statements made at the time by other members of our Government. FACT: The Navy Board of Inquiry: "the Navy inquiry confirms testimony of five member of the crew that they had personally observed the (American Flag) was hoisted. Hull markings were clear and freshly painted." The Judge Advocate General of the Navy concluded that: "The record discloses beyond any doubt that USS Liberty was, at the time of the attack, engaged in peaceful operations in international waters, and that the attack of Israeli aircraft and motor torpedo boats was entirely unprovoked and unexpected." The attack took place on a clear day, and the Liberty was the only non-Israeli vessel in sight. PLUS: Then Secretary of State Dean Rusk: "There is every reason to believe that the USS LIBERTY was identified, or at least her nationality determined by Israeli aircraft one hour before the attack," "I was never satisfied with the Israeli explanations. Their sustained attack to disable and sink Liberty precluded an assault by accident..." as do Rusk's legal advisor Carl Salans a nd his assistant secretary Lucius Battle. Clark Clifford, chairman of the Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board is on record having told then President Lyndon Johnson in a closed National Security Council meeting that "the attack was deliberate..." Gen. Marshall Carter, Director of the National Security Agency and his deputy Louis Tordella, agree that "the attack was deliberate," so does their senior aide Walter G. Deeley. Richard Helms, Chief of the Central Intelligence Agency and his former deputy George Carver are also on record as saying "the attack was intentional," as are Admiral Bobby Inmann, who headed both intelligence agencies; Dr. James Johnson, former undersecretary of the Navy, Gen. George Keegan, former Air Force Chief of Intelligence, Paul Warnke, then senior National Security Advisor to the Secretary of Defense. Former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Thomas Moorer "insists that the attack could not possibly have been a mistake." And even Ronald Reagan once cited t he Liberty to his staff, as an example of Israeli untrustworthiness. --------------------------------------------------------------------- FACT: Mr. George Christian, special assistant to then-President Johnson, in a letter to Mr. James Ennes, Jr., (author, "Assault on the Liberty" and Survivor): "Frankly, there was considerable skepticism in the White House that the attack was accidental..." Plus, "....I became convinced that an accident of this magnitude was too much to swallow." And, "It was imperative that the United States maintain enough leverage with Israel to bring about a cease-fire." COMMENT: Is the attack on the USS LIBERTY still being used today as a lever by our Government, as Mr. Christian stated above? If that is in fact so, then we are surly being used as a pawn in the game of international politics. Or, is it the well documented fear of reprisal along with the loss of political contributions by Israel's lobby in the United States? FACT: Israel's claims were so outrageous and unbelievable, they requested our government classify them and not released to the American people or our media. They also stipulated that, "if need be, their account of the attack could be released only to select members of Congress." COMMENT: Who, their supporters ! --------------------------------------------------------------------- FACT: The documents that have not been released which are still being held by our intelligence agencies, along with the White House and State Department are classified so highly Members of Congress and our government are refused access to them. COMMENT: What is there still to hide after 28 years? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FACT: Article 1, Section 8 (10th paragraph in) of the Constitution of the United States of America, states: to define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations. COMMENT: Why, then, does our government violate our Constitution and refuse to abide by our laws by not investigating the attack? In essence, has, since 1967 protected and put the interests and welfare of the State of Israel before America and Americans. But unlike the Main, the Mayagues, Pearl Harbor, Tonkin Gulf, The Scorpion, The Thresher, The 1968 attack and seizure of the USS Pueblo by North Korea (seven months after the USS LIBERTY was attacked), The 1987 cruise missile attack on the USS Stark by Iraq (members of Congress went to and stayed in Iraq to complete their 8 month investigation of that incident), The USS Iowa gun-turret explosion, The shooting-down by the USS Vincennes of a Iranian civilian passenger jet The accidental launching of 2 missiles by the USS Saratoga into a Turkish ship killing 5 of their crew during a joint NATO exercises, Watergate, Iran Contra, Iraq-gate, Tail Hook, White Water, the nuclear experiments on Americans in the early 1950's, The USS Mason along with the myriad of incidents Congress did and does see fit to investigate - the attack on the USS LIBERTY (AGTR-5) by the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) stands to this day as the only major Maritime Naval disaster in United States history which has not be en accorded a FULL, COMPREHENSIVE and IMPARTIAL investigation by Congress. =========================== Before closing CLAIMS, FACT and COMMENTS I would like to add that Americans (those of the Jewish faith and Gentile alike) who support the State of Israel have denounced the USS LIBERTY VETERANS ASSOCIATION, the survivors, the families of our dead and our supporters of being transmogrified into an Anti-Israel, Anti-Semitic cult. They have also voiced that: "any memorial to the USS Liberty or her dead is a slap in the face and an insult to the State of Israel." Though the supporters of Israel denounce us as Anti-Semitic, how could we be! For those that are ill- or misinformed, we had shipmates and friends killed in the attack who were of the Jewish faith. And many of us, the survivors, the families of our dead and our supporters are of the Jewish faith. And why is offense taken by those that support Israel to the erecting of memorials to the USS LIBERTY and our dead? We have many memorials in the United States to those of the Jewish faith killed during WWII, and even to Israelis. So, why, then, is offense taken and condemnation voiced by those that support Israel because of the memorials to the men of the USS LIBERTY who were killed by the Israeli Defense Forces - who's religion happens to be Jewish? Please keep in mind that an investigation is warranted because of the years of research along with the declassified TOP SECRET, SECRET and CONFIDENTIAL documents that have been obtained under the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act). Documents and research which not only call into question Israel's explanations of an "accidental" and "mistaken identity" attack altogether, they go to take them apart piece-by-piece. And an investigation is needed not only because of the many discrepancies and versions in Israel's own accounting of that attack but the comments and actions by the then-Johnson administration in knowing who our attackers were - before our attackers admitted doing so. Along with then-Secretary of Defense McNamara's duplicity in informing members of Congress the attack was accidental even before an investigation was undertaken. There were a certain few within the 1967 Israeli government who planned, coordinated and carried out the attack on the USS LIBERTY. They are the ones th at are responsible, not the entire State of Israel and her people. As to any and all claims and charges of being Anti-Israel. I don't think I have to point out that- Israel is not our country. As American's, we do not have to love, give allegiance or profess loyalty to a country and government not our own. Furthermore, as we can criticize, denounce, protest and take to task our government along with our leaders, as well as other governments and their leaders, we can criticize, protest and take to task the government of the State of Israel. I do hope that takes care of any perceived Anti-Israel rhetoric on my part (or our part) for wanting to take the government of the State of Israel to task for their attack on our ship and, for their killing of our friends and shipmates. But the charges of being Anti-Israel and/or Anti-Semitic by those that support Israel have and are used quite effectivly to keep our government, the media and the American people from looking closely at the attack on the USS LIBERTY (AGTR-5). As they are used to keep the American people from delving into and looking closely at the America-Israel relationship as a whole. Remember, there is a differance between religion and nationality. For additional information on the USS LIBERTY VETERANS ASSOCIATION or to join our association to help correct this travesty of American Justice and blot to America's honor and history, please write or call: Mr. James Smith USS LIBERTY VETERANS ASSOCIATION 1825 Sharbot Circle Virginia Beach, VA. 23464 (804) 474-9084 A one-year associate membership in the USS LIBERTY VETERANS ASSOCIATION along with subscription to our Newsletter is $20.00. As all donations to the USS LIBERTY VETERANS ASSOCIATION are tax-deductible, please donate, and donate generously USS LIBERTY MEMORABILIA ITEMS. Assault on the Liberty Cassette tape $5.00 (Ennes, Hrankowski, Admiral Moorer, Dean Rusk) 25th Anniversary Dedication at Arlington Cemetery Video $15.00 Bumper Stickers $2.00 USS LIBERTY baseball cap - plain bill $14.00 w/scrambled eggs $16.00 Key chain $2.00 USS LIBERTY Survivors: Our Story $35.00 Pat King Documentary (68 minutes VHS color) USS LIBERTY Jacket $75.00 (Lined nylon multicolor - L, XL, XXL) USS LIBERTY ships patch - 5" $7.00 (better than our original) USS LIBERTY ships plaque $35.00 (7"x9" Black walnut w/ships crest laser etched & 1 3/4"x4" brown brass plate for engraving) Please make checks payable to the USS LIBERTY VETERANS ASSOCIATION, and send to Mr. James Smith at the above address. The following addresses, if you would wish to do so, are for writing to request or maybe even demand an investigation into and along with the subsequent down-play and cover-up of the attack on the USS LIBERTY (AGTR-5) by the State of Israel and her Defense Forces. I would personally appreciate it if you would write that letter! President William Clinton The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20500 FAX: (202) 456-2461 Secretary of State Warren Christopher Department of State Washington, D.C. 20520 State Department Public Information Line: (202) 647-6575 Honorable (NAME) Honorable (NAME) U.S. Senate U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 224-3121 (202) 225-3121 Attorney General of the United States Director - Investigations Department of Justice Defense Investigative Service Washington, D.C. 20530 Room 6110 (202) 514-2000 1900 Half Street SW Fax: (202) 514-4371 Washington, D.C. 20024 Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy Chief Of Naval Operations 200 Stovall Street Room 4E660 Alexandria, Virginia 22332 The Pentagon Secretary of the Navy Chairman Room 4E686 Joint Chiefs of Staff The Pentagon Room 2E872 The Pentagon Office of the Inspector General Comptroller General of the US Room 1000 General Accounting Office Building 400 Army Navy Drive 441 G Street Arlington, VA 22202-2884 Washington, D.C. 20548 What came to light just prior to our 28th anniversory/reunion was what we were tasked by the National Security Agency to determine. Also, what came to light was that we did not have any Hebrew linguists on board. We did have Arabic and Russian linguists, as our mission was to determine if Russian nationals (pilots) were flying Egyptian TU95's during the 1967 Arab-Israeli Six-day-war. But, as to linguists, that's not to say that our friends of the Jewish faith who were killed in the attack did not speak Hebrew. I have been informed that just prior to 1 of the 5 Israeli torpedo launched at us, our intercept operators picked up those Russian pilots conversations while flying around in the Egyptian TU95's. But an interesting turn to this information was a conversation with a coworker (of Russian nationality, who was a lieutenant in their Army) who said to me "Yes, your correct!" after I told him of the Russian pilot story. It seems my coworker, in 1969, was sitting around with his military buddies doing what all military personal do when gathered and swapping stories - drinking. After many glasses of refreshment, his Air Force friend, Igor Shelagov, admitted flying Egyptian planes during the Six-day-war. He did swear all his friends to secrecy, though. ======================== While it does not change the fact Israel's attack was intentional and in violation of International law, I just thought this interesting turn of events would be appreciated by the reader.