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1033 16
June 1967 transmitted message text from
Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Naval Forces Europe to
U.S.S. Liberty
R 161033Z JUN 67
FM CINCUSNAVEUR
TO USS LIBERTY
BT
UNCLAS
TO COMMANDER W.L. MCGONAGLE, USN, COMMANDING
1. THE TRAGEDY IS BEYOND RECALL. WHAT SOLACE THERE MAY BE,
HOWEVER SMALL, LIES IN THE MAGNIFICENT PERFORMANCE OF THE
OFFICERS AND MEN OF LIBERTY IN AN ACTION OF HISTORIC STATURE
IN THE FACE OF AN UNPROVOKED ATTACK. UNDER MOST DIFFICULT AND
TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES NOT ONLY DID THE SHIP DEFEND ITSELF VAL-
LANTLY, BUT THROUGH SUPERB SEAMANSHIP ON THE PART OF ALL
HANDS, THE SHIP WAS BROUGHT SAFELY INTO PORT.
2. YOU, YOUR OFFICERS AND MEN ANSWERED THE CALL TO DUTY WITH
UNQUESTIONED VALOUR. THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL HANDS STANDS OUT
AS AN EXAMPLE IN HISTORY OF THAT TYPE OF COURAGE WHICH MARKS
AMERICAN MANHOOD AS THE FINEST IN THE WORLD.
3. I AM PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH YOU.
ADMIRAL JOHN S. MCCAIN, USN
BT
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