Captain Joseph Tully, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS
Saratoga, in an interview by host Don Brooks on radio station WOJB in
Wisconsin, February 12, 1990, describing his efforts to sent aircraft to
support the USS Liberty.

Captain Tully launched jet aircraft to support the Libery moments after
the attack started.  Those were recalled without explanation by order of
Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara while the attack continued.  Men on
Saratoga's bridge could hear Liberty's radiomen calling for help by
radio while rockets burst in the background.  Here Tully desribes the
second launch of rescue aircraft:

Tully:  An order was issued, from either [Sixth Fleet Commander Vive
Admiral William I.] Martin or [Carrier Force Commander Rear Admiral
Lawrence R.] Geis, to be ready to launch in 90 minutes following that
first launch that I made.  I went back and said, hell, I can launch
right now.  But somebody wanted the USS America to participate in the
launch.  So 90 minutes later we sent planes all over again.  Then they
were recalled (again) while everybody was still in sight.

Host:  They were recalled a second time?

Tully:  A second time.  Exactly.  Ninety minutes after the first launch.
I have forgotten whether it was Martin or Geis who called them back.

Host:  As you look back on this now, where does it leave you?

Tully:  Puzzled.