Jewish Virtual Library Hailed as THE Authority on US Govt Investigation of USS Liberty Attack

When asked for a copy of the Congressional investigation of the June 8, 1967, Israeli attack on the USS Liberty, Senator John Barrasso (R-CO) tells a constituent (and USS Liberty Survivor) that neither the US government nor the survivors of the attack is the most authoritative source about US government investigations of the attack.

by Joe Meadors

We’ve come a long way since the USS Liberty attack over 52 years ago. We’ve formed the USS Liberty Veterans Association, found many of our shipmates, helped each other handle the fact that there are many Americans who don’t give a damn about what we went through and who are quick to condemn us when we tell of the deliberate machine-gunning of life rafts we had dropped over the side in anticipation of abandoning ship. We’ve been successful in having US Navy Barracks and buildings named after our fallen shipmates and have had memorials created on US Military bases. We’ve been successful in getting resolutions passed in both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion calling on the US government to investigate the attack. We’ve been successful in ensuring USS Liberty crewmen received the medals and awards they are entitled to. We’ve been successful in submitting a War Crimes Report to the Department of the Army (as their procedure requires).  This action moved the Department of Defense to waive its obligation under the Department of Defense Law of War Program rule making it mandatory “to investigate all alleged violations of the laws of war whether committed by or against the United States.” What we have been unsuccessful at is having Members of Congress admit that the US government has never investigated the attack on our ship. Many of you have asked their Congressional Delegation to send them a copy of the Congressional investigation of the attack or to have the Congressional Research Service send a copy of the US government investigation of the attack through the automated procedure we have established. In a recent letter to a USS Liberty survivor, Senator John Barrasso (R-CO) writes:

“I noted your interest in the attack against the USS Liberty in 1967. This tragic attack has been the subject of ten U.S. investigations from 1967 through 1982. We are forever grateful for the incredible sacrifices made by our service members and their families. We honor them for their patriotism and for their willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. They paid the price for our nation’s freedom, independence, and peace. Below, I have included a link where you can find more information on the USS Liberty investigations and each investigation’s findings.”

He then gives this USS Liberty survivor the URL of the Jewish Virtual Library to direct him to more information about the US government investigations of the attack.If this troubles you, please email your Congressional Delegation and ask for a copy of the Congressional investigation of the attack using the automated process we have created. You can also email your Congressional Delegation and have them request the Congressional Research Service to send you a copy of the US government’s investigation of the attack. Also, emails to the House and Senate Historians asking for a copy so far have been ignored by their recipients.  Maybe your email will be the one to break through and finally elicit a response. If you get a response, please email me at [email protected].