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Why Investigate Navy Seals but NOT USS Liberty Survivors?

Posted on November 9, 2014September 24, 2018 By Joe Meadors 40 Comments on Why Investigate Navy Seals but NOT USS Liberty Survivors?
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By Joe Meadors

Damaged USS Liberty / US Navy photo Caption bar formerly at top read: :Photo # NH 97478 Damage to USS Liberty, June 1967 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Navy Seals are coming out of the woodwork claiming to be the one who fired the shot that killed Osama bin Laden. Those who wrote books about the assault on bin Laden’s compound are being investigated by the US government for everything from revealing classified information all the way to treason.

If the US government is in the business of investigating those who reveal classified information why have USS Liberty survivors been ignored for the past 47 years?

Perhaps it’s because our facts are so highly classified that the US government cannot even acknowledge they exist and that prosecuting us for revealing them would confirm that the US government acknowledges that the facts exist and are true.

But its not only the facts that the US government doesn’t acknowledge. They refuse to honor 34 Americans who were Killed in Action during the attack on our ship. We hold an annual memorial service in Washington, DC. The Department of Defense and Navy Department are always invited to attend. They always ignore the invitation.

Out of guilt?

No.

They’re afraid of us.

Afraid that by attending they will have to answer our questions face to face, on the record and while cameras are recording their answer.

What classified information are we publicly detailing that has the US government running so scared that they refuse to be seen publicly with us?

We were attacked by unmarked aircraft and our radios were jammed on US Navy tactical frequencies. These two facts strongly suggest the attack on the USS Liberty was not the mistaken attack on a 40-year-old rusted-out Egyptian horse carrier that bore no relationship to our ship.

Our life rafts were deliberately machine gunned in the water by the attacking Israeli torpedo boats. This information is so sensitive that when Lloyd Painter testified during the US Navy Court of Inquiry to this fact his testimony was removed from the record and does not appear anywhere in the Report of the Court.

Israeli torpedo boats set their torpedoes to run at a depth that would have them pass underneath the el Quseir without striking the ship.

After one of their torpedoes struck the USS Liberty and killed 25 crewmen the Israeli torpedo boats slowly circled the torpedoed and burning ship while firing from close range at USS Liberty crewmen who were trapped topside or who ventured topside to fight the fires and help their wounded shipmates.

After the torpedo boat attack, Israeli helicopters arrived on the scene intent on disgorging heavily armed assault troops who were clearly visible in their open doors onto the USS Liberty’s decks.

Two flights of rescue aircraft launched from Sixth Fleet aircraft carriers were both recalled before they arrived over the Liberty. In all likelihood they would have arrived in time to drive off the torpedo boats and would have saved the lives of 25 crewmen killed by the torpedo.

These are facts that point directly to the conclusion that the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty was deliberate and upon a ship that was known to be American at the time the attack began.

These are facts that the US government has declared to be so secret that even the victims of the USS Liberty discussing them publicly cannot be prosecuted out of fear that doing so would give them the weight of US government acknowledgement and acceptance.

These are facts we will continue talking about publicly at every opportunity.

These are facts we are willing to be investigated by the US government for revealing.

If only the US government wasn’t scared of the publicity such an investigation would unleash.

(Joe Meadors is a USS Liberty survivor. He also was a participant in the Freedom Flotilla I and II attempts to break the siege on Gaza. He can be contacted at joe@ussliberty.com.)

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Joe Meadors
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Joe Meadors
Writer, blogger at USS Liberty Veterans
Joe Meadors grew up in Saudi Arabia and spent 22 years living in the Kingdom.

He was aboard the USS Liberty when the ship was attacked by the Israeli Defense Forces in 1967 and has been in the forefront of the effort to ensure the US government finally investigates the attack.He also participated in Freedom Flotilla I in 2010 whose goal was to break the blockade of Gaza only to be brutally attacked by the IDF who killed 9 human rights activists on the MV Mavi Marmara.

The death of one American citizen on the Mavi Marmara elicited nary a peep of outrage or condemnation from the State Department.This follows the outrageous precedent the State Department initiated when 34 Americans were killed on the USS Liberty which was followed by silence from the State Department.Meadors is an eye-witness to and a victim of this policy.

Meadors has also participated in Freedom Flotillas II, III and IV in the effort to break the immoral blockade of Gaza.

His background gives him a unique perspective as an American citizen when it comes to issues involving the Middle East.

He will be sharing that perspective in his articles for The Arab Daily News.

He can be reached at joe@ussliberty.com.
Joe Meadors
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  • The USS Liberty Document Archive Is Now Up and Running - March 16, 2020
  • The Attack on the USS Liberty is NOT a “Conspiracy Theory” - November 20, 2019
  • USS Liberty: Why Investigate the Attack on a US Navy Ship? - November 5, 2019

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Comments (40) on “Why Investigate Navy Seals but NOT USS Liberty Survivors?”

  1. Ray Hanania says:
    November 11, 2014 at 8:07 am

    Hey Joe … Great column … don’t let the foreigners on this board who have sold America to Israel bother you … the hatred here just shows you how some “Americans” and foreigners would sell out their country to protect Israel. On this Veteran’s Day, a lot of people are remembering the 34 AMERICANS that Israel killed and the 171 AMERICANS that Israel seriously injured. It’s good to keep the morons on the board because it helps those whose see their ugliness understand the sickness that makes some Americans forget what country they live in and who we should support.

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  2. Tdotscribe says:
    November 9, 2014 at 8:42 pm

    What an awkward attempt to connect two very separate events.

    If the victims of this tragic accident concluded it was an awful mistake due to the fog of war, who are YOU to argue otherwise?

    This writer grew up in Saudi Arabia, but conveniently omits the fact that Saudi Arabia was part of the Arab attack in 67 to annihilate Israel.

    How about we investigate how your beloved Saudi Arabia was connected to 9/11? That was a heck of a lot more recent than an event almost 50 years ago between two of the worlds most friendly, and cooperative allies.

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    1. boatops says:
      November 9, 2014 at 11:16 pm

      One ally attacking another willfully is unheard of. Israel violated its special relationship.

      What James Petras called “the first (instance) in modern history in which the imperial country cover(ed) up a deliberate major military assault by a supposed ally.”

      He referred to the 1967 USS Liberty attack. An intelligence-gathering ship. On June 8. In international waters. About 25.5 nautical miles northwest of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.

      During Israel’s Six Day War. Killing 34 crew members. Wounding 171 others. Causing severe vessel damage.

      Deployed to monitor belligerents’ communications. After Israel’s premeditated attack on Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Iraq.

      In August 1982, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin admitted Israel had a choice, saying:

      “The Egyptian Army concentrations in the Sinai approaches (did) not prove that (President Gamal Abdel) Nasser was really about to attack us.”

      “We must be honest with ourselves. We decided to attack him.”

      In February 1968, future Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (1974 – 77 and 1992 – 95) told the French newspaper Le Monde:

      “I do not believe Nasser wanted war. The two divisions which he sent into Sinai on May 14 would not have been enough to unleash an offensive against Israel. He knew it and we knew it.”

      In 1978, Israeli Air Force Commander General Mordechai Hod said:

      “Sixteen years of planning had gone into those initial eighty minutes. We lived with the plan. We slept on the plan. We ate the plan. Constantly we perfected it.”

      In April 1972, IDF chief General Haim Barlev said:

      “We were not threatened with genocide on the eve of the six-day war, and we had never thought of such a possibility.”

      Other Israeli leaders and generals voiced similar sentiments. Israel wasn’t threatened. It attacked non-threatening Arab states. Willfully. Aggressively. Without just cause. Lawlessly.

      Clear naked aggression. Including against America. Getting away with cold-blooded murder. Not for the first or last time.

      Then Defense Secretary Robert McNamara lied. Calling it a case of “mistaken identity.” Knowing precisely what happened and why.

      Retired Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Thomas Moorer later called the incident “one of the classic all-American coverups.” One of many times Washington disgracefully alibied for Israeli high crimes.

      Israel knew Liberty’s identity. It flew a clearly visible US flag. Good weather conditions made it easy to spot.

      Israeli warplanes circled overhead before attacking. At times low enough for US sailors to wave to Israeli pilots. They waved back.

      On June 5, Israel attacked Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Iraq. At the time, then IDF Chief of Staff Yitzhak Rabin told US naval attache Commander Ernest Carl Castle Israeli forces would sink unidentified ships.

      He requested US vessels stay away from Israel’s coastline. Or at least report their exact position.

      US sources said no inquiry was made until after LIberty’s attack ended. US Secretary of State Dean Rusk asked Washington’s Israeli ambassador, Walworth Barbour, for “urgent confirmation” of Israel’s statement.

      He responded saying “(n)o request for info on US 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” the State Department.

      When war began, Liberty commander, Captain William McGonagle, asked US Sixth Fleet Vice Admiral William I. Martin to dispatch destroyer help.

      An armed escort. For Liberty’s protection. An auxiliary communications center. Martin replied:

      “Liberty is a clearly marked United States ship in international waters, not a participant in the conflict and not a reasonable subject for attack by any nation. Request denied.”

      At the same time, he promised US warplanes would respond in 10 minutes in case of willful or inadvertent attack.

      No response came. Liberty was on its own. Virtually defenseless against Israeli air and sea power.

      Throughout the morning of June 8, official testimonies and Liberty’s deck log confirmed Israeli warplanes close monitoring.

      When attack began, it was following its signal-intercept mission course about 25.5 nautical miles off Sinai’s coastline. At about five knots.

      Israeli forces were ordered to fire on any unidentified vessels proceeding at over 20 knots. At the time, a speed only warships could attain.

      At around 2:00PM local time, two Israeli warplanes arrived at Liberty’s location. Formation leader, Captain Iftach Spector, communicated information of its position to nearby Israeli torpedo boats.

      He and other Israeli pilots lied. Claiming no distinguishable ship markings or flag. At the same time, chief Israeli air controller Lt. Col Shmuel Kislev authorized IDF warplanes to attack.

      Liberty commander Captain McGonagle requested urgent Sixth Fleet help, saying:

      “Under attack by unidentified jet aircraft, require immediate assistance.” None arrived.

      At around 2:35PM, an Israeli torpedo struck Liberty. On its starboard side. Creating a 40-foot-wide hole in its hull.

      Killing 25 servicemen. Wounding dozens of others. Marine staff sergeant Bryce Lockwood later said he’d “never deny that God kept Liberty afloat.”

      Four other Israeli torpedoes missed their target. Its gunships strafed Liberty at close range.

      At about 4:00PM, Israel contacted Washington’s Tel Aviv embassy. Claiming it mistakenly attacked Liberty.

      Crew members somehow kept it afloat. Despite severe damage. Later met by US destroyers USS Davis and Massey as well as cruiser USS Little Rock.

      Providing medical help. Escorting Liberty to Malta. For interim repairs. Completed in July. After which Liberty returned to America.

      Then decommissioned in June 1968. Struck from Naval Vessel Register listings. Part of Washington’s coverup and denial.

      Later transferred to the US Maritime Administration (MARAD). In December 1970. Then sold for scrap in 1973.

      On June 10, 1967, Secretary of State Dean Rusk told Israel’s ambassador:

      “At the time of the attack, the USS Liberty was flying the American flag and its identification was clearly indicated in large white letters and numerals on its hull.”

      “Experience demonstrates that both the flag and the identification number of the vessel were readily visible from the air.”

      “Accordingly, there is every reason to believe that the USS Liberty was identified, or at least her nationality determined, by Israeli aircraft approximately one hour before the attack.”

      “The subsequent attack by the torpedo boats, substantially after the vessel was or should have been identified by Israeli military forces, manifests the same reckless disregard for human life.”

      According to Political Science Professor George Lenczowski:

      “It was significant that, in contrast to his secretary of state, President Johnson fully accepted the Israeli version of the tragic incident.”

      Maintaining strong US/Israeli relations mattered more. So did protecting his own political interests. In case he chose to run for reelection in November 1968.

      In later naval court of inquiry testimony, McGonagle said:

      During “the latter moments of the air attack, it was noted that three high speed boats were approaching (Liberty) from the northeast on a relative bearing of approximately 135 (degrees) at a distance of about 15 (nautical) miles.”

      “The ship at the time was still on (westward) course 283 (degrees) true, speed unknown, but believed to be in excess of five knots.”

      McGonagle “believed that the time of initial sighting of the torpedo boats…was about (2:20PM).

      Approaching “boats appeared to be in a wedge type formation with the center boat the lead point of the wedge.”

      “Estimated speed of the boats was about 27 to 30 knots (50 to 56 km/hour). It “appeared that they were approaching the ship in a torpedo launch attitude.”

      They flew Israeli flags. Liberty’s identity was clear and unmistakable. McGonagle later received Medal of Honor recognition.

      Virtually always presented by presidents ceremonially at the White House. This time breaking with tradition. Awarding it in privately. At Washington’s Navy Yard. By the Secretary of the Navy.

      Other Liberty survivors were decorated. Without mentioning willful Israeli aggression. Terry Halbardier got a Silver Star. For repairing a damaged antenna during intense Israeli strafing.

      The US Naval Court of Inquiry claimed no responsibility “to rule on the culpability of the attackers, and no evidence was heard from the attacking nation.”

      It lied saying “available evidence combines to indicate a case of mistaken identity.”

      At the same time, it found “heroism displayed by the commanding officer, (as well as) officers and men of the Liberty was exceptional.”

      A Joint Chief of Staff’s report contains evidence relating only to communication system failures. Nothing about clear Israeli culpability.

      A June 21, 1967 CIA memorandum said “(t)he attack was not made in malice toward the US and was by mistake…”

      “(B)ut the failure of the IDF Headquarters and the attacking aircraft to identify the Liberty and the subsequent attack by torpedo boats were both incongruous and indicative of gross negligence.”

      A CIA informant said Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Dayan personally ordered Liberty’s attack. He wanted it sunk. All crew members killed. A redacted report said in part:

      The unnamed source “said that Dayan personally ordered the attack on the ship and that one of his generals adamantly opposed the action and said, ‘This is pure murder.’ One of the admirals who was present also disapproved of the action, and it was he who ordered it stopped and not Dayan.”

      The report remains classified. According to an insider, “(s)o as not to embarrass Israel.” Even 47 years later.

      LBJ’s Intelligence Advisory Board Chairman Clark Clifford issued a damning report. Containing “all information on the subject.” Discussing “the question of Israeli culpability.”

      Calling what happened an “unprovoked attack.” Constituting “a flagrant act of gross negligence for which the Israeli Government should be held completely responsible, and the Israeli military personnel involved should be punished.”

      He later fell from grace. Adopting the official line. About a tragic Israeli mistake.

      Defense Secretary Robert McNamara lied to Congress. Claiming no “evidence of a conscious intent to attack a US vessel.”

      Two Israeli inquiry reports whitewashed what happened. Claiming Liberty was believed to be an Egyptian vessel. Because of failed US/Israeli communications.

      Hours before attacking, IDF naval headquarters knew Liberty was “an electromagnetic audio-surveillance ship of the US Navy.”

      It lied claiming information was lost. “(N)ever passed along to the ground controllers who directed the air attack nor to the crews of the three Israeli torpedo boats.”

      Israeli Judge Yerushalmi conducted his own fact-finding inquiry. He claimed no “deviation from the standard of reasonable conduct which would justify committal of anyone for trial.”

      In other words, naked Israeli aggression was OK. Case closed!

      Unresolved questions remain. At the time of the attack. Secretary of State Dean Rusk said he “was never satisfied with the Israeli explanation.”

      “Their sustained attack to disable and sink Liberty precluded an assault by accident or some trigger-happy local commander,” he maintained.

      “Through diplomatic channels we refused to accept their explanations. I didn’t believe them then, and I don’t believe them to this day. The attack was outrageous.”

      Navy Captain Ward Boston was US Court of Inquiry senior counsel. In 2002, he said C of I’s findings reflected coverup and denial.

      Israel willfully attacked a clearly identified US ship, he stressed. He called denying it an “insidious attempt to whitewash the facts.” He wrote in part, saying:

      “The evidence was clear. Both Admiral Kidd and I believed with certainty that this attack, which killed 34 American sailors and injured 172 others, was a deliberate effort to sink an American ship and murder its entire crew.”

      “Each evening, after hearing testimony all day, we often spoke our private thoughts concerning what we had seen and heard.”

      “I recall Admiral Kidd repeatedly referring to the Israeli forces responsible for the attack as ‘murderous bastards.’ ”

      “It was our shared belief, based on the documentary evidence and testimony we received first hand, that the Israeli attack was planned and deliberate, and could not possibly have been an accident.”

      US intelligence agencies expert James Bamford believes Israel attacked Liberty to suppress its high crimes against peace. Including massacring hundreds of Egyptian prisoners.

      NSA intercepts showed Israeli pilots clearly knew they attacked a US ship, said Bamford.

      Israeli aggression continued for over an hour. Liberty was severely damaged. A smoking hulk. Listing at about 10 degrees.

      Lucky to stay afloat. With two-thirds of its crew dead or injured. Two US destroyers took 16 hours to arrive. To provide help.

      Coverup and denial began immediately. Survivors were ordered to remain silent about what happened.

      Israel seized Syria’s Golan Heights one day after attacking Liberty. Had it remained operable, it might have gotten clear evidence of willful Israeli aggression. Countering IDF lies.

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      1. Cyrus Trance says:
        November 10, 2014 at 2:24 am

        NSA intercepts show just the opposite of what you claim.

        I suggest you read the Nowicki documents.

        There is zero proof of any coverup.

        Your commentary is contrary to all of the investigative reports.

        I could make a career out of debunking your comments.

        Would you like me to cite the exact NSA statements?

        I have the documents.

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        1. boatops says:
          November 10, 2014 at 8:33 pm

          http://www.gtr5.com/

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          1. Cyrus Trance says:
            November 10, 2014 at 10:45 pm

            I see you cannot cite reliable evidence.

            Log in to Reply
            1. boatops says:
              November 10, 2014 at 11:04 pm

              False Flags and cover ups, the world is waking up to Zionist lies! BDS NOW!!

              Log in to Reply
      2. Cyrus Trance says:
        November 10, 2014 at 2:56 am

        “The Egyptian Army concentrations in the Sinai approaches (did) not prove
        that (President Gamal Abdel) Nasser was really about to attack us.”

        This is what really happened:

        1. Egypt repeatedly threatened israel with annihilation. ( if you like I can quote several of Nassers threats)

        2. Egypt kicked out the UN peace keeping force that had been in the Sinai since 1956.

        3. Egypt then closed the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping in violation of international law. This in itself is a casus belli for war.

        4. Egypt then masses 7 divisions and 2 battalions in the Sinai.

        5. Egypt signed a war pack with Jordan and Syria.

        6. Egypt transferred troops on to the Jordanian border with Israel

        7. The Israelis captured Egyptian plans to attack israel called Fajr dawn.

        8. Israel launched a preemptive defensive attack consistent with article 51 and the Caroline incident.

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      3. Cyrus Trance says:
        November 10, 2014 at 3:24 am

        boatops,

        The U.S. Navy Court of Inquiry convened just days after the event
        made 52 findings of fact. Three of the most important findings are:

        1. Available evidence combines to indicate the attack on Liberty on 8 June was in fact a case of mistaken identity,

        2. The calm conditions and slow ship speed may well have made the American flag difficult to identify, and

        3. There are no available indications that the attack was intended against a U.S. ship.

        The 727 page record, including 155 pages of sworn testimony by the
        commanding officer of the ship, William McGonagle, and other Liberty
        crew members, may be obtained from the Navy Judge Advocate General.
        Admiral John McCain, the Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Naval Forces Europe
        (and father of Senator McCain), endorsed the Court of Inquiry:

        The foregoing comments by the convening authority lead to an overall conclusion that the attack was in fact a mistake.

        The Central Intelligence Agency in a letter from its director to a
        United States Senator dated February 27, 1978 stated the position of the
        CIA:

        It remains our best judgment that the Israeli attack on
        the USS Liberty was not made in malice toward the United States and was a
        mistake.

        Clark Clifford, Chair of the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, reported to the President

        Information thus far available does not reflect that the
        Israeli High Command made a premeditated attack on a ship known to be
        American.

        Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1967 that there was

        No evidence that the individuals attacking … knew they were attacking a U.S. ship.

        In 1981, the National Security Agency blamed Israeli miscalculations
        and American communications failures for the tragedy. Eight U.S.
        Presidents, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton and
        Bush, have all agreed that the Liberty incident was a tragic case of
        mistaken identity.

        Log in to Reply
        1. boatops says:
          November 10, 2014 at 8:31 pm

          Has there been a Congressional Investigation? If you can prove it you can collect the $10,000 the Liberty Assoc. is offering, Ifnot go back in your Zionist hole!

          Log in to Reply
          1. Cyrus Trance says:
            November 10, 2014 at 11:21 pm

            You morons are too stupid to know what a congressional hearing is…….LOL

            http://www.thelibertyincident.com/senateinvestigation.html

            The following is a quote referring to Joe Meadors from the House Armed Services Committee Investigation (1991-2)

            “Meadors also seems not to understand the difference between an investigation and a hearing. When a congressional committee begins an investigation the leg work is assigned to staff investigators. If the investigation uncovers something that committee members want publicized,a public hearing is held in a House or Senate hearing room before the bright lights and TV cameras.”

            You morons are a complete joke and now you are also Islamic ass kissing traitors.

            Log in to Reply
            1. boatops says:
              November 12, 2014 at 7:53 am

              Prove it and collect your $10,000 Zionist Troll. Your IP address is in Israel!

              Log in to Reply
              1. Cyrus Trance says:
                November 12, 2014 at 12:14 pm

                You cannot get ignorant people like you to understand basic facts.

                It’s calked being in denial.

                Last time I talked to Joe he could not even understand basic reasoning. He could not figure out why the aircraft from the Saratoga and America were recalled. He blamed it on a conspiracy.

                You morons lack basic skills of logic.

              2. boatops says:
                November 13, 2014 at 7:34 am

                Have you collected the $10,000?? No not from the Zionists, from proving there was a Full Congressional Investigation! I didn’t think so! BDS NOW!!

        2. boatops says:
          November 10, 2014 at 11:10 pm

          “I was never satisfied with the Israeli explanation. . . . Through diplomatic channels we refused to accept their explanations. I didn’t believe them then, and I don’t believe them to this day. The attack was outrageous ”
          — US Secretary of State Dean Rusk “…the board of inquiry (concluded) that the Israelis knew exactly what they were doing in attacking the Liberty.”
          — CIA Director Richard Helms “To me, the picture thus far presents the distinct possibility that the Israelis knew that the Liberty might be their target and attacked anyway, either through confusion in Command and Control or through deliberate disregard of instructions on the part of subordinates.”
          — CIA Deputy Director Admiral Rufus Taylor “I can tell you for an absolute certainty (from intercepted communications) that the Israelis knew they were attacking an American ship.”
          — NSA Deputy Director Oliver Kirby “. . . the commander of the Sixth Fleet was informed by the Washington Intelligence Apparatus that it had evidence that the Liberty was going to be attacked and to provide protection for it. That message was never really acted upon, and the ship was dead in the water when it was hit. So the end result was no accident.”
          — Raymond Tate, Deputy Assistant SecNav and Deputy Director, NSA, “Worldwide C3I and Telecommunications” (1980, pp. 25-47) “That the Liberty could have been mistaken for the Egyptian supply ship El Quseir is unbelievable”
          — Special Assistant to the President Clark Clifford, in his report to President Lyndon Johnson “The highest officials of the [Johnson] administration, including the President, believed it ‘inconceivable’ that Israel’s ‘skilled’ defense forces could have committed such a gross error.”
          — Lyndon Johnson’s biographer Robert Dallek in Flawed Giant, Oxford University Press, 1998, pp. 430-31) “A nice whitewash for a group of ignorant, stupid and inept [expletive deleted].”
          — Handwritten note of August 26, 1967, by NSA Deputy Director Louis W. Tordella reacting to the Israeli court decision exonerating Israelis of blame for the Liberty attack. “Never before in the history of the United States Navy has a Navy Board of Inquiry ignored the testimony of American military eyewitnesses and taken, on faith, the word of their attackers.
          — Captain Richard F. Kiepfer, Medical Corps, US Navy (retired), USS Liberty Survivor “The evidence was clear. Both Admiral Kidd and I believed with certainty that this attack…was a deliberate effort to sink an American ship and murder its entire crew…. It was our shared belief. . .that the attack. . .could not possibly have been an accident…. I am certain that the Israeli pilots [and] their superiors. . .were well aware that the ship was American.”
          — Captain Ward Boston, JAGC, US Navy (retired), senior legal counsel to the US Navy Court of Inquiry That the attack was deliberate “just wasn’t a disputed issue” within the National Security Agency
          — Former NSA Director retired Army Lieutenant General William Odom on 3 March 2003 in an interview for Naval Institute Proceedings Former NSA/CIA Director Admiral Bobby Inman “flatly rejected” the Cristol/Israeli claims that the attack was an accident
          — 5 March 2003 interview for Naval Institute Proceedings Of four former NSA/CIA seniors with inside knowledge, none was aware of any agency official who dissented from the position that the attack was deliberate
          — David Walsh, writing in Naval Institute Proceedings “It appears to me that it was not a pure case of mistaken identity.”
          — Captain William L. McGonagle, Commanding Officer, USS Liberty, speaking at Arlington National Cemetery, June 8, 1997 “To suggest that they [the IDF] couldn’t identify the ship is … ridiculous. … Anybody who could not identify the Liberty could not tell the difference between the White House and the Washington Monument.”
          — Admiral Thomas Moorer, Chief of Naval Operations and later Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, quoted in The Washington Post, June 15, 1991, p. 14 “Those sailors who were wounded, who were eyewitnesses, have not been heard from by the American public. . . [Their story] leaves no doubt but what this was a premeditated, carefully reconnoitered attack by Israeli aircraft against our ship.”
          — US Senator Adlai Stevenson III in interview with Wm. J. Small, UPI, for publication September 28, 1980

          “I have read the Navy investigation of the Liberty, and the evidence adduced there, and I have read the Israeli court of inquiry records, and based upon their own records of the investigation, I cannot agree that it was accidental.”
          — Senator Bourke Hickenlooper; From transcript of May, 1968, Senate Foreign Relations Hearing on Foreign Assistance Act of 1968, page 444.

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          1. Cyrus Trance says:
            November 10, 2014 at 11:40 pm

            Rusk also admitted there was no proof that the Liberty incident was intentional. Rusk further admitted he never read one single report related to the Liberty incident. He further admitted his opinion was in the minority.

            Admiral Kidd supported the position that the Liberty incident was unintentional.

            The CIA report of 1967 clearly states “there is no question that the Israelis failed to identify the Liberty as a US ship.”

            Dude, all you are doing is taking comments out of context and embellishing facts.

            Log in to Reply
      4. Cyrus Trance says:
        November 10, 2014 at 4:34 am

        Boatops, evidently you have never read Admeral Kidds August 3, 1991 letter to J Cristol. Kidd agrees with Cristols opinion on the Liberty.

        As you know Cristol concludes the liberty incident was a case of mistaken identity.

        I have a copy of the letter.

        Log in to Reply
        1. boatops says:
          November 10, 2014 at 8:29 pm

          Cristol is another Zionist Liar, Just like you!

          Log in to Reply
          1. Cyrus Trance says:
            November 10, 2014 at 10:40 pm

            Your ignorance is showing.

            So is your Islamic ass kissing.

            Log in to Reply
            1. boatops says:
              November 10, 2014 at 11:06 pm

              I’m a US Navy Veteran, What are you? Oh I Know a Paid Zionist Troll!

              Log in to Reply
              1. boatops says:
                November 12, 2014 at 7:47 am

                You’re USAF my ass, You’re Zionist Troll living in Israel! If you were an American we’d call you TRAITOR!!

              2. Cyrus Trance says:
                November 12, 2014 at 12:09 pm

                Never even been to Israel you traitor, Arab ass kisser.

                I was born, educated and raised in CA.

                I do not aid and abet the enemy, you do.

                Served my country for 6 years.

              3. boatops says:
                November 13, 2014 at 7:30 am

                And what years did you serve in the IDF you dual citizen Zionist traitor?? A true American would support the USS Liberty Survivors NOT the Zionist Lies!!

      5. boatops says:
        November 10, 2014 at 8:32 pm

        http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/ussliberty.html

        Log in to Reply
        1. Cyrus Trance says:
          November 10, 2014 at 10:45 pm

          Rotf

          Log in to Reply
          1. boatops says:
            November 12, 2014 at 7:58 am

            Cyrus you’re in a Zionist TRANCE!

            Log in to Reply
  3. Cyrus Trance says:
    November 9, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    Joe, some reports you forgot to mention

    U.S. Naval Court of Inquiry of June 1967
    Joint Chief of Staff’s Report of June 1967.
    CIA Intelligence Memorandums of June 1967
    Clark Clifford Report of July 1967
    Senate Foreign Relations Committee Testimony during hearings of the 1967 Foreign Aid Authorization bill, July 1967
    House Armed Services Committee Investigation of 1971
    The NSA History Report of 1981

    Log in to Reply
    1. boatops says:
      November 9, 2014 at 11:13 pm

      Cyrus Trance, what are you a Paid zionist Troll? The US Government has spent years in CONGRESSIONAL: Investigations of Benghazi but only a 10 DAY Court of Inquiry then the Cover Up. This US Navy Veteran will listen to the USS Liberty Survivors before a Zionist Troll like you! Remember the USS Liberty! BDS NOW!!

      Log in to Reply
      1. Cyrus Trance says:
        November 10, 2014 at 2:06 am

        Boatops, you are ignorant beyond discription. The U.S. government investigated the Lberty incident from 1967 through 1981. The Israelis had zero motive to attack a U.S. ship. There is not one shred of evidence it was anything other than a mistake. Even the linguists aboard the EC 121 confirm the Israelis thought the liberty was an Egyptian vessel.

        Every investigation revealed the incident was a case of mistaken identity.

        The Liberty was not supposed to be sailing in an active war zone but for an unknown reason the Liberty did not receive the 4 radio messages ordering the Liberty to stay 100nm away from the war zone.

        I seriously doubt you know any of the specifics.

        Btw, are you a traitor and Arab arse kisser like Joe?

        Log in to Reply
        1. boatops says:
          November 10, 2014 at 8:36 pm

          How much are you getting paid? BOYCOTT, DIVEST & SANCTIONS NOW!!

          Log in to Reply
          1. boatops says:
            November 12, 2014 at 8:16 am

            Only Zionists refer to sticking their tongue in asses, so enjoy your meal Cyrus

            Log in to Reply
            1. Cyrus Trance says:
              November 12, 2014 at 12:15 pm

              Only traitors like you actually stick their tongues in Arab ass.

              Log in to Reply
              1. boatops says:
                November 13, 2014 at 7:31 am

                Tell us how it tastes! Remember the USS Liberty! BDS NOW!!

  4. Guest says:
    November 9, 2014 at 6:41 pm

    The investigation joe claims never happened

    Log in to Reply
  5. Cyrus Trance says:
    November 9, 2014 at 6:37 pm

    Joe, try reading some facts including the 10 different investigation you claim never occurred;

    Log in to Reply
    1. boatops says:
      November 10, 2014 at 8:34 pm

      http://www.usslibertyveterans.org/

      Log in to Reply
  6. Cyrus Trance says:
    November 9, 2014 at 6:34 pm

    Joe, what does the Liberty incident have to do with the Navy Seals shooting Bin Laden?
    Nothing.

    Contrary to this ignorant article there have been numerous investigations into the Liberty incident. Every investigation found it was a case of mistaken identity.

    Joe, I have corresponded with you previously. You don’t even have the basic knowledge of the events that took place on the Liberty, the ship you were on.

    You didn’t even understand why the Seratoga and America recalled their aircraft. Evidently you are not the brightest star in the west.

    Btw, the Liberty was not even supposed to be in the area and was previously ordered 4 times to stay 100nm away from the war zone. However, the crew of the Liberty never received those radio orders for some strange reason.

    Log in to Reply
  7. z-west says:
    November 9, 2014 at 5:35 pm

    stupid muslims

    Log in to Reply
    1. Patrick McKay says:
      November 9, 2014 at 6:28 pm

      uhmm,…stupid z-west.

      Log in to Reply
    2. Earthman says:
      November 9, 2014 at 7:42 pm

      It was Israel that attacked the Liberty,Not the Muslims.Mr Dumas.You should have more on the ball before you write on the public wall.

      Log in to Reply

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