Setting the attack record straight

In response to Bill Thompson's June 21 review titled "Book reveals new information on Israeli attack," I would like to set the record straight and preserve history as it really happened. It is of particular interest to me because I was there.

Israel invaded Egypt. This was called the Six Day War. First reports stated that Egyptian gunboats (small combatants) and jet aircraft were attacking the intelligence-gathering ship, USS Liberty. I was serving with great pleasure on the aircraft carrier USS America. We were steaming east at flank speed heading towards the Middle East. Our location was just east of Crete. We were ordered to launch a strike against the Egyptian attackers.

As ordered we launched 24 Phantoms, Corsairs and Intruders. Our mission was to protect the Liberty and destroy the Egyptian boats and planes. We were armed with Zuni rockets (my favorite), 500- and 1,000-pound bombs and 20 MM cannons.

Ten miles from the Liberty we could see her burning with the gunboats circling while firing. Armed and about to roll in on the boats we received an emergency recall to home plate, USS America. In my strongest language I questioned the recall. It was confirmed. Frustrated and disappointed, we all complied.

Lo and behold, it was not the Egyptians attacking Liberty. It was our allies, the Israelis. Liberty was flying the largest American flag I had ever seen in my 26 years of service and her name was clearly visible on the stern.

As the flight leader, I flew over the burning ship at less than 100 feet and observed many wounded or dead sailors on the decks. There were many holes throughout the ship as a result of the attack.

Our attack was aborted because Israel transmitted to American authorities that they thought Liberty was an Egyptian ship. They had made a mistake. This was not a mistake. The unarmed Liberty was monitoring electronic signals and steaming in international waters. This was an attempt to curtail information on Six Day War progress to our leadership.

The day following the dastardly attack on Liberty, America pulled alongside, extinguished fires, provided aid to the wounded and recovered 37 American bodies for proper disposition.

For those families who lost fathers and brothers and for those crippled, no restitution has been offered. It's too late for most. Yet it is not too late for some. Restitution would be the honorable course of action.

My friend, my mentor, my leader and the very best chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Thomas Moorer, agreed with my conclusions and observations. We discussed this issue on many occasions.

GORDON L. MURRAY

Captain, U.S. Navy (Retired)

Seabrook Island Road

Seabrook Island