Deep Dive
Why did the USS Liberty crew believe they were safe despite being in a war zone?
The crew believed they were safe because the Israeli reconnaissance aircraft identified them as American and friendly, and they were assured by their captain that they were clearly marked as American.
What was the initial reaction of the USS Liberty crew when the attack began?
The initial reaction was confusion and fear, as they assumed the attack was by an Arab state due to the unmarked jets. They quickly realized they were under attack and scrambled to their general quarters stations.
How did the USS Liberty manage to send out a distress signal during the attack?
A radioman, Terry Haldabardier, took an offline antenna and ran a long wire to it, allowing the SOS signal to go out to the 6th Fleet, which was picked up as far away as Vietnam.
Why were the rescue jets recalled by the U.S. government during the attack on the USS Liberty?
The jets were recalled by Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and later by President Lyndon B. Johnson, who said, 'I don't care about a few dead sailors. I will not embarrass my ally, Israel.'
What evidence suggests that the attack on the USS Liberty was not a case of mistaken identity?
The Israelis took pictures of the ship before the attack, identified it as American, and even took a life raft as a trophy. They also dropped napalm and fired torpedoes, actions that indicate they knew exactly what they were doing.
How did the USS Liberty crew survive the 17-hour wait for help after the attack?
The crew, despite being two-thirds dead or wounded, managed to keep the ship afloat and provide medical care to the injured. A doctor, despite being shot in the abdomen and knees, operated for 17 hours on the wounded.
What was the aftermath of the USS Liberty attack for the surviving crew members?
The surviving crew members were ordered to remain silent about the attack, with threats of imprisonment or worse if they spoke out. They were also treated poorly by the U.S. government and Congress for decades.
What is the current status of the USS Liberty survivors' efforts to get the truth recognized?
The survivors are still fighting for recognition and have recently been trying to get records released through FOIA requests. They are also planning a speaking tour to share their story with the public.
How does Phil Turney feel about politicians who declare themselves 'America first' while ignoring the USS Liberty incident?
Phil Turney is frustrated and believes that many politicians are cowards who lie to the public and are more loyal to Israel than to American servicemen. He calls on President Trump to help the USS Liberty survivors.
What is the USS Liberty Veterans Association's website for those who want to support the survivors?
The website for the USS Liberty Veterans Association is usslibertyveterans.org, where people can donate, view pictures, and read articles about the incident.
- The USS Liberty was attacked by Israeli forces on June 8, 1967.
- The US government failed to provide support despite knowing the ship was under attack.
- The attack was covered up, and survivors were silenced for decades.
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