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 |
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