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2155Z 08 June 1967 transmitted message text from
U.S.S. America to
Office of Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

O R 082155Z JUN 67
FM USS AMERICA
TO OASD PA
INFO COMSIXTHFLT
BT
C O N F I D E N T I A L
FLEET PAO SENDS
1. FOLLOWING NEWS COPY FORWARDED FOR YOUR ACTION.
2. QUOTE URGENT - DPR COLLECT UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL
WASHINGTON,
D.C. URGENT 1ST AND SUB XXX SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS. PARA
"BASICALLY SHE'S NOT A COMBAT SHIP AND SHE MOVED TO THE MIDDLE EAST
TO HELP PROTECT AMERICAN NATIONALS AS THE POSSIBLE NEED FOR SUCH
PROTECTION BECAME APPARENT," THE NAVY SPOKESMAN SAID. PARA
THE SPOKESMAN CONFIRMED THAT THE LIBERTY HAD BEEN ATTACKED BY
ISRAELI MOTOR TORPEDO BOATS AND PLANES. THE SHIP WAS HIT BY ONE
TORPEDO. PARA
ALTHOUGH THE NAVY REMAINED SILENT, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAPTAIN OF
THE AMERICA RECEIVED A MESSAGE FROM THE LIBERTY SHORTLY BEFORE
3 P.M. (1300 GMT) SAYING SHE WAS UNDER ATTACK AND NEEDED ASSISTANCE.
PARA
NAVY FIGHTERS AND BOMBERS WERE ORDERED INTO ACTION AND THEY WERE
CATAPULTED FROM THE ATTACKED SHIP. BUT ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER, THE
AIR STRIKE WAS CALLED OFF AND THE PLANES RETURNED TO THE AMERICA.
PARA
(PICKUP AS DESIRED)
THE USS DAVIS (DD937) IS COMMANDED BY CDR R.P. HILTON, THE
MASSEY(DD778) IS UNDER CDR W.S. LEWIS (NO ADDRESSES). PARA
ALSO ABOARD THE DAVIS WAS THE COMMANDER OF DESTROYER SQUADRON 12,
CAPT H.G. LEAHY. PARA HORTON
BT

Note: See COMSIXTHFLT 081716Z JUN 67 for reason press copy sent to OASD(PA).