A Legacy of Betrayal

[Resistance]

Admiral Thomas Moorer | The Electronic Intifada

Admiral Thomas Moorer was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1970 to 1974. He is joined in the Independent Commission of Inquiry by General Ray Davis, former Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps (recently deceased); Rear Admiral Merlin Staring, former Judge Advocate General of the Navy and Ambassador James Akins, former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. For complete findings and the sworn affidavit of Captain Ward Boston visit www.ussliberty.org.

While state department officials and historians assemble on Washington DC this week to discuss the 1967 war in the Middle East, I am compelled to speak out about one of U.S. history's most shocking cover-ups.

On June 8th, 1967, Israel attacked our proud naval ship -- the USS Liberty -- killing 34 American servicemen and wounding 172. Those men were then betrayed and left to die by our own government.

U.S. military rescue aircraft were recalled, not once, but twice, through direct intervention by the Johnson administration. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara's cancellation of the Navy's attempt to rescue the Liberty, which I personally confirmed from the commanders of the aircraft carriers America and Saratoga, was the most disgraceful act I witnessed in my entire military career.

To add insult to injury, Congress, to this day, has failed to hold formal hearings on Israelis attack on this American ship. No official investigation of Israelis attack has ever permitted the testimony of the surviving crewmembers.