Remembering The USS Liberty

June 8,1967 the USS Navy intelligence ship USS Liberty was attacked by Israel Defense Forces, which occurred in the Middle of the Six Day War between Israel and Egypt. In all 34 Sailors were killed and another 170 were wounded. Decades after the event it was called one of the most bloody and bizarre peacetime encounters in US History. Israel's government  claimed in the aftermath that there had been a communication lapse between its military and that the men carrying out the attack thought the Liberty was an enemy ship. However a number of US military and intelligence officials have maintained over the years that the attack was deliberate. The incident remains a source of controversy. When this incident occurred the Sixth Fleet was ordered to give aid to the Liberty. My ship, USS Mississinewa AO144, docked in Newport RI at the time was notified to go to Israel and remove fuel from the Liberty so it could be towed to the island of Malta for temporary repairs. We traveled with several other ships refueling ships as it was needed to make the long journey to Israel. we got about half way there when we were ordered to return to Newport because there was another tanker closer to the Liberty. A few years ago I had the opportunity to talk to one of the sailors that was severely wounded while aboard the Liberty. coincidentally he had the same ranking as I did, which was (DC3), Damage Controlman. He was below decks along with several other shipmates trying to prevent the rushing water from coming in. I can only imagine the hell that these men endured. He knew how interested I was and invited me to come to a 3 day meeting about the Liberty in Pensacola. Florida. I had to turn him down because of my work schedule. I thanked him and wished him well.