Johnson, Thomas R. “Tom,” xi, 64, 237–45, 324n6
Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S.: chain of command for communications, 27–29; fact-finding study, 162, 172, 345nn19–20; Liberty, operational control of, 17, 312n39; Liberty, stand off and withdrawal order for, 8, 17, 20, 312n42; Liberty orders for intelligence-gathering off coast of Egypt, 12–13; Sixth Fleet, orders to restrict movements in Mediterranean, 11; use of force authorization, 66, 325n15
Jordan, 5, 14, 16, 307n15, 311n33
Kidd, Isaac C., Jr., 71, 86, 121, 145, 156–58, 176, 190, 193, 194, 206, 215, 228–29, 342–43nn1–3, 344nn10–11
Kirya, 21, 34, 39, 40–42, 56, 60–61, 65–66, 313n49, 317n6, 318n17
Kislev, Shmuel, 42–43, 47–48, 51, 323n37
Kosygin, Alexei, 5, 13, 16, 63, 64, 123, 306n13, 324n4
Levanon, Yohanan, 137–39
Lewis, David, 25, 28, 33, 102–6, 119–20, 122, 186, 198, 208, 315n15
Liberty: appearance, features, and weapons, 21, 24, 33, 34, 52, 55, 56, 84, 127, 160, 161, 174, 176, 329n17; chain of command for orders for, 16–17, 20, 21, 22, 27–29, 312n39, 312n42, 316n20, 316n24; communication system on board, 24, 29; communications between NSA and, 315n15; debris from torpedo hole, 75; decommissioning of, 244; departure from home port and deployment to Africa, 9, 309n3; hull designation, 24; Israel coast and Point Alpha, 27; linguists on board, 14, 25, 99, 114, 124, 212, 239, 311nn28–29, 332n34; Malta, transit to, 74–75, 240; Mediterranean Sea deployment, 13, 19, 27, 238–39, 315n16; mission and technical research operations, 24–25, 29–32, 248–52, 315n12, 364n7, 364–365nn9–10; mission of, cover-up about, 31–32, 72–73, 241, 252; mission of, disclosure of, 29–32, 70, 241, 246, 326n37; navigational route and patrol pattern, 18, 26, 319n25; NSA operation and cryptologic detachment on board, 25, 126, 204, 315n15, 338n65; operational control of, 16–17, 122, 126, 310n18, 310n27, 312nn38–39, 338n65; orders to sail off coast of Egypt, 8, 12–13, 15, 25, 27, 33, 239, 310n18, 311n31; Point Alpha, approach to and arrival at, 18, 22, 27, 33, 40, 111, 112, 131, 317n1, 335n17; press conference on board, 54, 322n18; Rota, stop in, 13, 14, 15, 68, 309n3; stand off and withdrawal orders, 8, 17, 20, 21–22, 27–29, 111, 181, 202, 205, 211, 239, 249, 312n42, 313n52, 316n20; time and location when operational control changed, 312n38; warship capabilities of, 24
Liberty incident: air attack, 1–2, 43–45, 46–51, 203, 205, 239–40, 249, 305–6nn1–4, 319n28, 319–20n30, 320–21nn1–3, 321–22n5, 351n14, 355–56n3; aircraft to defend Liberty, 60, 64, 66, 101, 102–6, 119–20, 121–23, 127, 186, 198, 206, 207–8, 210, 240, 325n15, 333–34nn51–53, 337n57, 338n68; antiaircraft fire, 47; apology and regrets about from Israel for, 61, 113–14, 180–82, 244–45, 363n5; awards and citations for crew, 89–91, 106–7; communication failures and, 28–29, 31, 165–68; crew members lost during, 71, 74, 89, 171, 202, 236, 240, 257, 330n1, 349n58; crew members’ recollections about, 89, 93–107; crew members, treatment of surviving, 92–93; crew members wounded during, 74, 89, 202, 236; damage from attacks, 73–75, 327n46; as deliberate and premeditated act, x, xi, 94, 96, 100–101, 111–13, 116–18, 121–24, 126–29, 139–42, 144, 171–72, 211–15, 230–36, 241–42, 248–53; distance between MTBs at time of contact, 317–18n11; fire on deck, 44, 47, 51, 321n3; firing on MTBs by Liberty, 53–54, 160, 189–90, 250, 322n20; flag on board, 51, 52, 58, 60, 76–87, 127, 134, 157, 192, 214, 231, 241–42, 243, 251, 323n37; helicopter flight by Castle to, 61–62; humanitarian reparations, 244–45, 363n5; identification of ship, 47–48, 51–56, 58–59, 65–66, 127, 213–15, 241–42; identification of ship, doubts about, 55–56, 58–59; interservice rivalries and, 7–8, 45; investigations of, 2–3; Israeli naval reconnaissance flight and identification of, 20–21, 38–39, 40, 93–94, 205, 239, 313n46, 313n48, 331n9; Israeli pilots and crew involved in, 136–39, 169, 305n1, 348–49nn50–55; Israeli plotting table, designation on, 21, 40–41, 319n20; Israeli plotting table, removal of designation on, 22, 40; Israeli responsibility for attack, feelings about, 66, 67, 68–69, 325n24; length of attack, 208; life rafts, 59, 323n34; meetings and messages about attack, 60–61, 63–68, 104, 324n4; mistake by Liberty and, 174; mistaken identity and attack, x, xi, 71–72, 76–88, 144, 146, 157, 160–61, 171, 172, 180–82, 213–15, 232–36, 238–45, 250–53, 326n37; motive for attack, 202–3, 355n1; negligence and failures of IDF, 162–63, 176–79, 345n22; offer of assistance in, 59; official Israeli version of and document about, 169; panel participation and paper presentation about, xi, 199, 224–26, 354n47; photographs of attacking aircraft, 44, 82, 321–22n5, 329n8; position and heading at time of, 33, 35, 39–40, 47, 52, 56, 58, 176, 318n18, 321–22n5, 350n7; precision of attack, 74, 327n47; punishment for, 177–79; radar detection of, 35, 38–39, 317–18n11; radio communications about attack, 44–45, 320nn34–35; reports about, 259–60; reports about, declassification of, xii, 30–31, 89, 170–72, 316n30, 349n56; search-and-rescue operations by Israelis, 59–60, 143, 213, 289–304, 323n36; signaling between Liberty and MTBs, 52–53, 54–55, 72, 158, 192, 203; speed and distance calculations, 35–40, 242–43; time of attacks, 45, 63, 208, 319–20n30, 320n35, 351n14; torpedo attack, 55–59, 203–4, 240, 243, 249–50, 318n18, 351n14; U.S. to blame for, 169–70, 180–82. See also investigations of Liberty incident; television and media coverage of Liberty incident
Liberty Veterans Association: aircraft to defend Liberty, 104, 334n52; cover-up claims of, 93, 171–72; formation of, 93; motives behind, 93; private video productions, 193–98, 354n37; reunions and newsletters of, 93, 94, 130, 135, 171
Little Rock, 17, 19, 22, 66–67
Lockwood, Bryce, 99, 311nn28–29
Loftus, John, 124–26
Lunz, Avraham “Ramy,” 22, 40, 48, 175, 176, 193–94
Martin, William I.: aircraft to defend Liberty, 60, 66, 104, 120, 121–23, 206, 210, 325n15, 333n51, 337n57; Liberty, operational control of, 16–17, 122; Liberty orders, chain of command for, 17; Liberty stand off and withdrawal orders, 21–22, 313n52; Mediterranean Sea deployment, concerns about, 27; Sixth Fleet command by, 3; Sixth Fleet, orders to restrict movements in Mediterranean, 14, 310n25; Soviet-U.S. warships, confrontations between, 3, 17, 66–67
Massey, 19, 73–74, 317–18n11
McCain, John S., Jr.: aircraft to defend Liberty, 60, 206; family of, 343n6; Gunnel operation, 86–87; Liberty, operational control of, 16–17, 122, 310n18; Liberty orders, chain of command for, 17; Liberty stand off and withdrawal orders, 28; Navy Court of Inquiry, 156–57, 159–60, 190, 215, 229, 342–43nn1–2, 344n7, 361n15; Sixth Fleet, orders to restrict movements in Mediterranean, 14, 310n25
McGonagle, William: actions during attack, 44, 240; command of Liberty, 89, 330n2; comments about attacks, 89, 91–92; death of, 91; events of air attack, 321n3; explosions in location of El Arish, 33–34, 317n2; firing on MTBs by Liberty, 54, 160, 189–90; Liberty mission, knowledge of, 25, 33, 246; Liberty position, concerns about, 33; Medal of Honor award, 89–91, 240; media coverage, participation in, 186; Navy Court of Inquiry testimony, 89, 191–92, 352–53n19; offer of assistance from MTBs, 59; photographs of attacking aircraft, 44, 82, 321–22n5; position and heading of Liberty, 47, 52, 56, 58, 318n18, 321–22n5; prior knowledge of attack, 121; relationship between author and, 89, 91; signaling between Liberty and MTBs, 53; wounding of, 89
McNamara, Robert S.: aircraft to defend Liberty, 102–4, 119–20, 198, 206; Arab-Israeli tension, meeting with Eban to resolve without Israeli military action, 13; congressional investigation of incident, 163–64, 189; Israeli plans to attack Syria, 123–24; Israeli responsibility for attack, feelings about, 66; Liberty incident as unintentional, 72; Liberty mission, cover-up about, 32; Liberty mission, disclosure of, 29; meeting after attack, 64–65; rumors and reports about incident, 70
Mediterranean Sea: communication system in, adequacy of, 29; Sixth Fleet orders to restrict movements in, 11, 14, 309n15, 310n25; Soviet warships movement to, 12, 127, 310n17; U.S. and British warship deployment, 19, 27, 66–67, 238–39, 315n16
Middle East: diplomatic r
elations between U.S. and Arab countries, 70; escalation of crisis in, 9–15; Soviet influence in, 31, 110; tension, diplomacy to resolve, 12, 13–15; U.S.-Soviet competition in, 5. See also Six Day War (Arab-Israeli War)
Mintz, Seth, 116, 130–36, 186, 339n7, 340n15, 340n17
Mirage IIICJ aircraft: design and development of, 305n1; gun-camera photos from, 1, 81, 82, 134; Israel Air Force use of, 7; Liberty incident role, 1–2, 43–44, 46, 49, 78, 82, 203, 320–21nn1–2; pilots and crew involved in attack, 136–39, 305n1; radio call signs, 305n1, 319n24; radio transmissions from, 116–18, 261–88; speed of and strafing runs, 1, 43, 305n2; weapons and ammunition loads, 1–2, 98, 203, 305n1, 305–6n3, 320–21n1, 331–32n28
missile boats, 16, 38, 308n27, 318n15
Moorer, Thomas H., 126–28, 177, 194, 207, 338n67, 338n69, 338n72
Motor Torpedo Boat (MTB) Division 914: air support call to air force, 39–42; capabilities, training, and force strength of, 34–35, 317n9; communication between aircraft and, 37, 43, 59, 289–304; communication between Stella Maris and, 37, 59; communication equipment on board, 35, 37, 43, 59; distance between Liberty at time of contact, 317–18n11; firing on by Liberty, 53–54, 160, 189–90, 250, 322n20; frogmen operations and collision between boats, 7–8; identification of targeted ship, 55–56, 58–59, 72; offer of assistance from, 59; orders to El Arish, 34, 35; plotting table (dead-reckoning tracker, DRT) on board, 36–38; position and heading of Liberty, 51–52; precision of attack, 74, 327n47; radar equipment on board, 35, 317–18n11; signaling between Liberty and, 52–53, 54–55, 158, 192, 203; speed and distance calculations, 35–40, 242–43; speed of, 35, 317n9; torpedo attack by, 55–59, 240, 243, 318n18; torpedo attack order, countermand of, 59; weapons and ammunition loads, 58
motor torpedo boats (MTBs), 7–8, 16, 308n26
Mystère IV aircraft, 7, 51, 305n1, 322n9
Nasser, Gamal Abdel: confrontation with Israel, readiness for, 14; cooked telephone conversation with King Hussein, 110–11; diplomatic relations with U.S., 14–15, 16, 23, 65; domestic and regional Arab problems, 10; Soviet support for, 13; Strait of Tiran access, 12; Syrian-Israeli border, troop buildup on and brinkmanship, 10, 309n5; UAR and leadership of, 309n11; U.S. and British aircraft support for Israel, claims of and press release about, 6, 16, 67, 70, 146, 207, 239
National Security Agency (NSA): communications between Liberty and, 315n15; conspiracy role of, x; cryptologic detachment and operation on board Liberty, 25, 126, 204, 315n15, 338n65; historical analysis of Liberty incident, 237–45; intelligence-gathering operations of, 314n6; Liberty, withdrawal order for, 8; Liberty incident document, top-secret classification and declassification of, xii, 30–31, 89, 170–72, 316n30, 349n56; Liberty orders for intelligence-gathering off coast of Egypt, 12–13; Liberty personnel lost during attack, 89, 171, 204, 240, 330n1, 349n58; panel participation and paper presentation at, xi, 199, 224–26, 354n47; position on incident, xi; precision of attack to target, 74, 204, 327n47
National Security Agency (NSA) audiotapes: availability of, x, 147, 278; EC-121 aircraft interception and recording of radio transmissions, 140–47, 210–15, 231–32; lawsuit to gain release of, x, 147, 212, 221, 278; proof of intent of attack in, x; transcripts of, x, 92, 213–15, 262–63, 278–88
Navy, U.S.: aircraft to defend Liberty, 60, 64, 66, 101, 102–6, 119–20, 206, 207–8, 210, 325n15, 333–34nn51–53; Incidents at Sea Agreement, 3, 306n5; inquiry procedures, 319n21; location of Sixth Fleet at time of attack, 63; Mediterranean Sea warship deployment, 19; orders for ships, 11, 14, 16–17, 309n15, 310n25; relationship between U.S. and Israeli military, 159; ships near combat area, information about, 67–68, 204–5, 211, 248–49, 364n7
Neff, Donald, 121–24, 337n55
Nowicki, Marvin, 140–43, 210, 212, 232, 341n33, 341n39, 356n1, 362n23
nuclear weapons: hotline between Moscow and Washington for communication about, 4; hydrogen bomb, 5, 314n6; summit meeting between Johnson and Kosygin about, 5, 306n13; on U.S. aircraft, 101, 102, 127, 338n68; U.S.-provided missiles, 115–16, 335n29
Oren, Moshe, 6–7, 35, 37, 38, 43, 54–56, 59
Parker, Richard B., 67, 116, 118–19, 197–98, 207, 313n4, 336n40, 354n40
Pearson, Anthony, 111–13
Porter, Dwight, 116–18
Quseir, El- (Egypt), 21, 55, 56, 84, 127, 161, 174, 176, 345n17
radar and radar equipment: capabilities and operation of, 35–37, 318nn13–14; channeling (refraction) and, 38–39, 317–18n11; detection of Liberty on MTB radar, 35, 38–39, 317–18n11; false images/ghosts and authorization to attack enemy ships, 42, 319n22; MTB Division 914 equipment, 35, 317–18n11; range of, 38, 317–18n11; speed and distance calculations, 35–40, 242–43
Rahav, Yitzhak “Issy,” 40, 55–56, 178–79, 250, 350–51n12
Raven, Francis A. “Frank,” 13, 27, 315n16
Red Book (ship-identification guide), 55, 322–23n25
Rostow, Eugene V., 12, 13, 68, 69, 310n22, 325n26
Rostow, Walt Whitman, 63, 64–65, 69, 325n26
Rusk, Dean: apology and regrets about from Israel for attack, 114; death of, 316n35; Israeli plans to attack Syria, 123–24, 226, 360n5; Israeli responsibility for attack, feelings about, 66, 69, 325n24; Israeli troop movement, knowledge of, 100; Liberty mission, cover-up about, 32; meeting after attack, 64–65; relationship between U.S. and Israel, 69; Thames TV interview, 32, 316n35
Saratoga, 19, 45, 60, 66–67, 85, 103, 119–20, 127, 210, 320nn34–35, 338n68
Saunders, Harold, 73, 316n34
Schueftan, Dan, 128–29, 339n73
Scott, James, 227–36
Scott, John D., 20, 21, 227, 228, 230
Shapira, Danny, 86, 305n1, 329–30n23, 330n35
ships and warships: Egyptian destroyers, threat from, 56; identification of, 76–88, 329n8, 329nn16–17; identity of, confirmation of, xii; neutral ships and aiding the enemy, 24, 125–26, 314n11; seizure of, approval for, xii; speed of warships and destroyers, 38, 39; U.S.-Soviet warships, confrontations between, 3, 17, 66–67, 306nn6–7, 325nn17–18; Z-class destroyers, 38, 55, 330n24
Sinai Peninsula (Sinai): combat zones, naval warfare, and immediate area of naval operations, 24, 205, 314n10, 356n4; control of during Arab-Israeli War, 2; Egyptian forces, movement to, 10–11, 23, 25; intelligence about activities in, 23, 314n6; Israeli forces, mobilization of, 11, 99–100, 309n13; Israeli troops along Syrian-Israeli border, information from Soviets about, 9–11; UN Emergency Force in, 11, 23, 25
Six Day War (Arab-Israeli War): control of Sinai during, 2; events leading up to, 15–16; Soviet and U.S. intervention in, 64, 65, 67–68; start of, 5, 15–16; UN Security Council vote on cease-fire, 16, 17; U.S. and British aircraft support for Israel, claims of, 5–6, 16, 67, 70, 109–10, 118–19, 135, 146, 207, 239, 307n15, 336n39
Smith, Richard K., 113–15, 168
Soviet Union: Arab-Israeli tension, intervention in, 64, 65, 67–68; blue water navy construction by, 3; Cuban Missile Crisis embarrassment of, 3; Egypt, support for, 13; hotline between Moscow and Washington, 4, 63, 64, 123, 194, 324n4; identification of Soviet ships, 65, 127, 324n10; Incidents at Sea Agreement, 3, 306n5; intelligence-gathering ships, markings on, 51; Israeli troops along Syrian-Israeli border, information about, 9–10; meeting between Egyptian leaders and, 13; Middle East influence of, 31, 110; missile boat use by, 38, 318n15; Turkestan incident, 4–5, 15, 178; U.S.-Soviet cooperation to stop conflict, 16; U.S.-Soviet warships, confrontations between, 3, 17, 66–67, 306nn6–7, 325nn17–18; warships movement to Mediterranean Sea, 12, 127, 310n17
Spain, 13, 14, 15, 68, 309n3, 325n23
State, U.S. Department of: Arab-Israeli tension, diplomacy to resolve, 12, 13–15; Arab-Israeli tension, meeting with Eban to resolve without Israeli military action, 13, 310n22; conspiracy role of, xi; diplomatic relations with Egypt and Nasser, 14–15, 16, 23, 30, 65, 70; diplomats and diplomatic dependents, departure of from Middle East, 13, 30; Israeli investigations, opinion about, 177–78; position on and summary
of incident, xi; settlement between Israel and, 169–70; Turkestan incident, concern about, 5
Stella Maris command-and-control center, 21, 22, 34, 37, 40–42, 55–56, 59, 313n49, 319n20
submarines, 207–8, 216–23, 308n26, 357n4
Suez campaign (1956 war), 6–7, 23, 86, 127, 128, 330n24
Suez Canal, 16, 42–43
Super-Mystère B-2 aircraft: Israel Air Force use of, 7; Liberty bow markings and identification as American ship, 47–48, 127; Liberty incident role, 46–47, 50, 82, 203, 321n3, 321–22n5; pilots and crew involved in attack, 136–39; radio call signs, 305n1; weapons and ammunition loads, 203
Syria: destruction of air force by Israel Air Force, 5; diplomatic relations with U.S., ending of, 70; disputes along Syrian-Israeli border, 9–11; Israeli attack on, 154; Israeli plans to attack, 99–101, 120–21, 123–24, 129, 139, 226, 243–44, 360n5; Israeli troops along Syrian-Israeli border, information from Soviets about, 9–10; military cooperation agreement with Iraq and, 14, 310n26; precision of Israeli attack on, 327n47; terrorist incursions into Israel from, 9; threat of action against Israel, 11; UAR, withdrawal from, 309n11
Technical Research Ship Special Communications System (TRSSCOMM), 24, 29
television and media coverage of Liberty incident: Evans and Novak column, 116–18, 131–33, 134, 339n7; false press release, 32, 72–73, 93, 247, 316n34; Good Morning America, 149–50, 201; History Channel program, 188–93, 352n14, 353n22; Israeli control of media and true story of Liberty, 201; Life magazine, 152, 153, 154–55; mission of Liberty, disclosure of, 326n37; Nightline, 198–201, 355n49; Now It Can Be Told, 187–88, 352nn12–13; press release about attack, 67; private video productions, 193–98; rumors and reports about, 70–73, 326nn32–33; 60 Minutes, 130–31, 135, 136, 201; The Story behind the Story, 135, 186–87; Thames TV documentary, 32, 47–48, 94, 131, 133–34, 135, 136, 183–86, 316n35, 319n20, 340n15; 20/20, 185–86
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