1235Z 13 June 1967 drafted message text from
Commander, Sixth Fleet to
Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Naval Forces Europe

DTG 131235Z JUN 67

FROM: COMSIXTHFLT

TO:   CINCUSNAVEUR

INFO:

CONFIDENTIAL

A. CINCUSNAVEUR 121456Z
B. SECNAVINST 1650.1C

1. AS AN INTERIM RESPONSE TO REF A, RECOMMENDATION IS MADE THAT
AN EARLY DETERMINATION BE MADE IF ISRAELI ATTACKERS ARE
CONSIDERED OPPOSING ARMED POWERS IN THE SENSE OF PARA 221 REF B,
IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH ELIGIBILITY OF WOUNDED FOR PURPLE HEART. IF
LIBERTY PERSONNEL ELIGIBLE, CONSIDER IT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF
ALCON THAT AWARDS BE MADE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS WOULD SERVE
AS A POSITIVE ASSURANCE TO A VALIANT GROUP OF MEN THAT THEY ARE
TRULY APPRECIATED BY THE NAVY AND THE NATION. AN EARLY
PRESENTATION WOULD ALSO AVOID REINTRODUCTION OF THIS ENTIRE
AFFAIR INTO THE PRESS AT A LATER DATE.

GP-4