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"The heroism displayed by the Commanding Officer, officers and men of the Liberty was exceptional. The Commanding Officer is being recommended for the Congressional Medal [of Honor], and the ship for an appropriate [Presidential Unit] unit citation."
Finding 47 of the U.S. Navy Court of Inquiry
The crew of USS Liberty performed heroically on June 8, 1967 - both collectively and individually. Their unarmed ship was attacked without warning. Damage assessment teams later counted more than 800 hand-sized holes in the ship, inflicted by rocket or cannon fire. The holes made by the thousands of fifty-caliber machine gun rounds were too numerous to count. There was also the terror inflicted by the napalm weapons dropped on the ship. Add to this already destructive firepower the effect of a torpedo with a 1,000-pound warhead impacting at the waterline amidships and tearing a forty foot hole in the side of the ship and one begins to comprehend the scope of the offensive onslaught of the Israeli Defense Forces against USS Liberty.
Generally, combat infantry units are pulled off the line when they suffer casualties of 15% or greater. The crew of USS Liberty suffered 70% casualties within the span of two hours. Despite their overwhelming casualties, however, they managed to take care of themselves and their ship, and bring USS Liberty home safely.
Admiral Isaac Kidd, upon viewing the ship first hand while it was still on its way into port following the attack, related that he was stunned that the ship was still afloat after all of the damage it had sustained. He formally recommended that the Navy carefully document every aspect of Liberty's damage control activities and teach them on every other ship in the Navy.
In recognition of the heroism of the crew the following awards were bestowed:
Congressional Medal of Honor 1
Navy Cross 2 (both posthumously)
Silver Star 11 (two posthumously)
Bronze Star with 'V' Device 20
Purple Heart 205 (thirty-four posthumously)
Navy Commendation Medal 9
Presidential Unit Citation 293 (thirty-four posthumously)
"In conclusion, I respectfully submit that USS Liberty wrote another chapter in the great heritage of Navy gallantry and that her personnel, from Commanding Officer to the most junior seaman, deserve the highest accolades and acknowledgment it is possible to bestow for their valor and acts of courage."
Captain Ward Boston, JAGC, US Navy (Ret.)
Counsel of the Court
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ALAN HIGGINS January 27, 1948 - June 8, 1967 Alan Higgins was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts, on January 27, 1948, and enlisted in the Navy on September 16, 1965. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur C. Higgins of Dover, Delaware. Alan is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Grave #1773, Section 12.
FINAL DUTY ASSIGNMENT
U.S.S. Liberty (AGTR-5)
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