The United States Government Must Reveal the truth about the
UNPROVOKED ATTACK on The United States Ship, Liberty, by Israeli Air
and Naval Forces that ocurred the first week of June, 1967, during the
6 Day War between Israel and Egypt.

This attack has been covered up and shrouded in secrecy for over
35 years by both the American and Israeli Governments.

During this unprovoked attack, many of the ships crew were killed or
wounded, including the Captain, who was wounded and refused to leave
the bridge and give up command of his Ship until finally ordered to
leave so his injuries could be cared for.

The Captain was later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor
The LIBERTY's crew is probably the most highly decorated group
of men since W.W.2. This too, was not revealed to the
American People, nor to the rest of the World.

The Captain received his Metal of Honor at a warehouse in a Navy
shipyard, not from the President of the United States as most of
the Nations Highest Medal is presented.

I was aboard the U.S Navy Attack Aircraft Carrier, U.S.S. America,
(CVA-66) at the time of this attack. We were assigned to the
Mediterranian Sea (6th Fleet), as was the U.S.S. Liberty.


A day or two after the attack, The Liberty came along side
our ship and the wounded and many of the dead were taken aboard so the
injured could be treated in our medical facility.

We could see much of the damage, as we were within less than a mile
of the ship, which was dead in the water and had a severe list to the
side where the torpedos hit (starboard or right side). The bridge was
almost completely burned out. There were holes made by bullets and
rockets, all the way from the water line to the top of the
exhaust stacks. These were large caliber weapons that went
all the way through the ship in many cases.

Many of the dead were still sealed in their compartments, where they
were killed (murdered) by the Israeli torpedo boat attacks.

In the days that followed, the wounded were treated and some were
flown off the ship for more critical care. After leaving us,
the Liberty made her way to the Island of Malta, where enough repairs
were made, to allow it to return to the United States.
After several more days, we, (The U.S.S. America), held a
Memorial Service on our flight deck.
All the Liberty's wounded, who were able, were brought up to the
flight deck for this service.

I attended the service and filmed the ceremony.

This AMERICAN ship, The U.S.S.LIBERTY (AGTR-5) was in International
waters, flying an American Flag, clearly marked, on the sides
and on the fantail, (back of the ship) with the ships name
and hull number. AGTR-5

There could be NO MISTAKE, THIS WAS AN AMERICAN SHIP!
The weather was almost perfect, as many of the crew members
were out lying in the sun when the attack occured.

Israeli forces attacked this ship for over an hour.
The Israeli Government said this was a "mistake" and the U.S.President,
Johnson, accepted this as the reason for the murder of many Americans
and the near sinking of one of our ships.

I feel that the truth is long over due and the Captain and Crew of the
U.S.S.Liberty should be recognized as the heroes they are and the other
details of this UNPROVOKED ATTACK ON AN AMERICAN SHIP,
IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS, should be revealed to the American public,
and to the rest of the world.

The crew has tried for all these years to have the truth told about
this incident, and up to now, the US Government has refused to do so.

Jerry Hemby
Electronics (Radar) Technician, Third Class Petty Officer.
OE Division USS America (CVA-66)
THE UNPROVOKED ATTACK, AND MURDER OF AMERICAN SAILORS, ON THE U. S.  SHIP LIBERTY,
(AGTR-5) BY ISRAEL JUNE 7th, 1967
Click patch to go to Liberty web site