June 8, 1967. I was there. On board the USS America, we launched A-4's and F-4's to go to the defense of the Liberty. They were ordered recalled by Washington enroute.

O 081235Z JUN 67
FM USS SARATOGA
TO CINCUSNAVEAUR
INFO CTG SIX ZERO PT ONE
CTG SIX ZERO PT TWO
COMSIXTHFLT
BT
UNCLAS E F T O
FOLLOWING RECEIVED FROM ROCKSTAR
I AM UNDER ATTACK MY POSIT 31.23N 33.25E. I HAVE BEEN HIT.
REQUEST IMMED ASSISTANCE
BT



Z 081301Z JUN 67
FM NAVCOMMSTA GREECE
TO COMSIXTHFLT
CTF SIX ZERO
CINCUSNAVEUR

UNCLAS

FOLLOWING RCVD VIA VOICE HICOM FROM USS LIBERTY
QUOTE
AT 081253Z AT 081253Z WE HAVE BEEN HIT BY A TORPEDO STDB SIDE
LISTING BADLY REQ ASSISTANCE IMMEDIATELY
UNQUOTE




DTG 081320Z JUN 67

FROM: COMSIXTHFLT

TO: USCINCEUR

INFO: AIG 998/JCS/CNO/CTF 60/CTG 60.2

UNCLAS E F T O

UNCLAS FLASHSITREP/06001/COMSIXTHFLT 081315Z JUN 67.

ATTACK ON LIBERTY

SITREP ONE

1. USS LIBERTY REPORTED UNDER ATTACK AT POSIT 31.23N/33.25E. WAS
HIT BY TORPEDO AND LISTING BADLY. ATTACK FORCES HEREBY DECLARED
HOSTILE BY COMSIXTHFLT IAW CINCUSNEURINST P03120.5B. LIBERTY
MESSAGE AUTHENTICATED.

2. HAVE DIRECTED TF 60 TO PROCEED TOWARD SCENE. TASK FORCE 60
PRESENT POSIT 34.22N/24.28E.

3. HAVE DIRECTED AMERICA TO LAUNCH FOUR ARMED A4'S AND SARATOGA
TO LAUNCH FOUR ARMED A1'S WITH FIGHTER COVER TO DEFEND USS
LIBERTY. PILOTS DIRECTED TO REMAIN CLEAR OF LAND. TANKERS ALSO
WILL LAUNCH. WILL RELIEVED ON STATION.

4. ETA FIRST ACFT ON SCENE ONE HOUR PLUS THIRTY AFTER LAUNCH.
ESTIMATE LAUNCH AT 1345Z


Here is my ship approaching the Liberty the next morning, June 9, 1967.



This picture shows the USS America, the USS Liberty and the USS Little Rock (the 6th Fleet Flagship) on June 9th,the day after the attack.


We held a memorial service for the sailors killed aboard the Liberty on June 10, 1967.