Press Releases
Rep. Massie Introduces House Resolution to Honor the Crew of the USS Liberty
Washington, D.C.-,
June 30, 2026
For Immediate Release "59 years ago, on June 8, 1967, Israel attacked the USS Liberty in international waters," said Rep. Thomas Massie."34 Americans were killed, and 174 were wounded by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during this unprovoked attack. It is long overdue for the House of Representatives to pass legislation recognizing the sacrifices made by the USS Liberty crew. I am asking the House to urge the President to declassify and publicly release all records related to Israel's attack on the USS Liberty." RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in honoring the men of the USS Liberty, urging the declassification of all records relating to the June 8, 1967, attack, and affirming that the lives and safety of United States citizens and servicemembers shall be paramount in the conduct of United States foreign policy. Whereas, on June 8, 1967, the USS Liberty and her crew of 294 (including 3 civilians) was operating in international waters; Whereas, an unprovoked attack by Israeli warplanes and torpedo boats resulted in the death of 34 Americans, including one civilian, and the wounding of 174 others; Whereas, after sending out distress calls stating the ship was under attack and required immediate assistance, the attack continued for approximately 22 minutes involving 30 to 35 sorties, and following the air attack three Israeli motor torpedo boats fired five torpedoes, one of which struck the Liberty on the starboard side resulting in the deaths of twenty-five (25) of the thirty-four (34) men killed; Whereas, the crew of the USS Liberty fought valiantly to overcome the battle damage that included severe structural damage and saved their ship, often placing themselves in extremely hazardous situations in total disregard for their personal safety, and ultimately succeeded in reaching port; Whereas, due to the sensitive nature of the USS Liberty’s equipment and documents, crew members still reeling from the attack, with some having suffered wounds during the attack, were tasked with entering the severely damaged area and recovering the bodies and body parts of their fellow shipmates; Whereas, having suffered through the attack and subsequent recovery, the crew was informed that under penalty of arrest, fines, and imprisonment, they were forbidden to speak about the incident which further compounded the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress; Whereas, the USS Liberty is the most decorated Navy ship for a single engagement. To wit, Captain William McGonagle received the Medal of Honor, and the crew received 2 Navy Crosses (posthumously); 12 Silver Stars (3 posthumously); 26 Bronze Stars; 9 Navy Commendations; 208 Purple Hearts (34 killed in action); the Combat Action Ribbon; the Presidential Unit Citation; Whereas, despite the valor displayed by the crew of the USS Liberty and the decorations awarded for their actions, many aspects of the attack and its aftermath remain shrouded in secrecy and controversy; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— (1) recognizes the gallant service and sacrifice of the officers and crew of the USS Liberty in defense of their ship and fellow sailors during the attack of June 8, 1967; (2) honors the lives, service, and memories of William B. Allenbaugh of Baltimore, Maryland; Philip McCutcheon Armstrong, Jr. of Detroit, Michigan; Gary R. Blanchard of Wichita, Kansas; Allen M. Blue of Yakima, Washington; Francis Brown of Albany, New York; Ronnie J. Campbell of Sevierville, Tennessee; Jerry L. Converse of Puyallup, Washington; Robert B. Eisenberg of St. Paul, Minnesota; Jerry L. Goss of North Vernon, Indiana; Curtis A. Graves of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan; Lawrence P. Hayden of Houston, Texas; Warren E. Hersey of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Alan Higgins of Weymouth, Massachusetts; Carl L. Hoar of Mount Vernon, Ohio; Richard W. Keene, Jr. of Batavia, New York; James L. Lenau of Washington, Missouri; Raymond E. Linn of Adamsville, Ohio; James M. Lupton of Shreveport, Louisiana; Duane R. Marggraf of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; David W. Marlborough of Waterville, Maine; Anthony P. Mendle of Waterbury, Connecticut; Carl C. Nygren of Williamsport, Pennsylvania; James C. Pierce of Clinton, North Carolina; Jack L. Raper of Cedartown, Georgia; Edward E. Rehmeyer III of York, Pennsylvania; David Skolak of Gary, Indiana; John C. Smith, Jr. of Ithaca, New York; Melvin D. Smith of Alamance, North Carolina; John C. Spicher of Tarentum, Pennsylvania; Alexander N. Thompson, Jr. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Thomas R. Thornton of Springfield, Ohio; Philippe C. Tiedtke of Santa Cruz, California; Stephen S. Toth of San Diego, California; Frederick J. Walton of Niagara Falls, New York who died as a result of the attack; (3) urges the President to declassify and make publicly available all records, documents, reports, memoranda, communications, photographs, recordings, transcripts, intelligence assessments, operational records, after-action reports, investigative files, briefing materials, diplomatic communications, and internal communications of the Department of Defense, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and any other department or agency of the United States Government relating to the June 8, 1967, attack on the USS Liberty; (4) affirms that the lives and safety of United States citizens and servicemembers shall be held paramount in the conduct of the foreign policy of the United States and shall not be subordinated to the interests of any foreign nation; and (5) condemns Israel for its unprovoked attack on the USS Liberty and its crew, unarmed and non-combatant members of the United States Armed Forces at the time of the attack, resulting in the deaths of 34 Americans and the wounding of 174 others. A copy of the resolution is available at this link. Rep. Massie has previously delivered remarks on the House floor to honor the fallen members of the USS Liberty's crew and to recognize survivors of the attack who were present in the House gallery. Video of Rep. Massie's remarks is available at this link. |