| Contributions
on this page have been made by: |
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| Alan Caminiti (SK2 1968-1970) Larry Daly (BT-3 1966-68) J.L. Fant (RM2 1967) Stephen Griggs (MM3) James E. Lehr (Cpl.USMC 1967-1969) |
Robert
“RJ” Leon (SK3 1966-1968) Mark Lehmann (LT 1966-1968) Mark Lehmann (2nd entry) David Rocker (LT 1965-1967) |
The Crew Remembers.... |
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| On 6/08/07 James
E. Lehr (Cpl.USMC 1967-1969) contributed: “.....concerning the USS Liberty, I believe we had received replenishments the day before the attack on the USS Liberty. When we received info concerning the attack, we were advised to empty the coolers in order to preserve the two to three sailors who were killed during this incident. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Robert “RJ” Leon (SK3 1966-1968) on 6/09/07 said: “I was aboard the Rock during the USS Liberty incident I have several pictures taken a we were pulling up to the listing ship. We were full ahead all night to reach the Liberty. I thought the ship was going to fall apart. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Mark Lehmann (LT 1966-1968) on 6/09/07 contributed the following: “I was the 2nd Division officer and an OOD during that time. We did indeed make a dash from a position almost in the Straits of Gibraltar to get to the Liberty, which had been hit. I too felt like the ship was going to fall apart because of the vibration at high speed! Two faster, closer DD's were sent ahead to protect the Liberty. Our carriers provided air cover and helicopters to evacuate the dead and seriously wounded. Little Rock pulled alongside about 1,000 yards away and sent our Utility boat over (see photo) to bring aboard the "walking wounded." 2nd Div. was in charge of those boats so I was one of those there to lend a hand to the men coming aboard. I believe that then Lt. John Cochram, a member of the Assoc. who was the DCA, was sent over to evaluate damage and report to 6th Fleet. In another of the attached photos you can see the carrier on the other side of Liberty. (some photos courtesy of Cdr. Hix). These photos, by the way, have been provided to the USS Liberty Association. For a huge, detailed report of the incident by the survivors, go to their website, http://www.ussliberty.org. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
On 08 June 2007 Alan Caminiti (SK2 1968-1970) added the following: "I joined the ship in Italy in May 1968 and the word then was that we had raced to the scene and actually put some bodies in our reefer. A number of Rock crewmembers took photos of the Liberty all shot up." _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Mark Lehmann (LT 1966-1968) on 6/09/07 added: “For those who want to see a very interesting, rather complete (1 hr. long) BBC documentary on the entire history of the Liberty and the "incident" go to www.whatreallyhappened.com/ussliberty.html . There is one brief shot of the Little Rock, but the background information is fascinating and scary. The launching of the aircraft toward Egypt, corroborates with my memory of watching them take off from the carriers while I was on the bridge. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Larry Daly (BT-3 1966-68) on 23 Oct 07 told us: I served aboard the "Rock" from 1966-68 and I remember when we pulled up to her (the Liberty) and I could not believe that she took that much damage and still remained afloat. A tribute to the rest of the crew and their damage control party's. I took several pictures of the "LIBERTY" and soon after sent them home by mail. The day which I sent the pictures home was a few days later after the .attack I watched as our helo was making it's daily mail run, and about to land on the U.S.S. America when I noticed that she (the helo) was dropping all the mail bags over the side into the sea. As it turned out the helo was having mmechanical difficulties and needed to lighten it's load to make to the flight deck aboard the America. Tucked in between the two pictures of the Liberty I placed two twenty dollar bills for my mom to help out at home, as I did often. Well I kissed them pictures and the money good by. Thankfully the helo landed safely and I was surprised about a week later to get a soggy envelope with my pictures and money back. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
David A. Rocker (LT 1965-1967) recounts: "I was the OOD of the Little Rock when we rushed to the rescue of the Liberty. Sorry about my handwriting. The log is shown to be signed by LTJG D.A. Rockley. It should read D.A. Rocker. This was a terribly frightening day. Earlier in the Six Day War the Egyptians,who had been attacked by Israel from the sea, had tried to draw Russia into the war on their side, claiming that the attacking planes were American. Fortunately, Russia rejected this claim as Russian ships, which were sailing in close proximity to our task force, knew that our carriers had never launched. By the time of this attack, Egypt was losing badly and had become desperate. When the Liberty was struck, my first thoughts were that it was the Egyptians who were trying to elicit a response and then force Russia into the war. After the attack, we were at full general quarters, had live shells in the turrets and the carrier launched an air strike. One had the feeling that World War III was about to start. Israel then acknowledged its mistake and the air strike was recalled after some delay. We continued at flank speed toward the Liberty to assist the ship and its crew. The losses were great. It was a very sad day." _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Stephen Griggs MM3 adds: "I just read the article of the Rock's involvement in the Liberty incident. Well done and thanks. It really jogged my memory. I served aboard the Rock nearly two years and my duty station during the run to the Liberty was Forward Engine Room throttle watch. Yes we had the old girl shaking pretty good." _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
On 13 Apr 09 RMCS J. L. Fant (ret) told us: "I was an RM2 then RM1 assigned to COMSIXTHFLT communications during that time period. Have very vivid memories of the hectic pace of communications during those six days and the extended watch hours we stood. I was the Radio One Supervisor when the distress calls from the U.S.S. Liberty came across the voice circuits which I immediately patched to the ship's bridge and the flag bridge. .. When I give it some thought it seems like only yesterday...." |
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| Notes: |
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| Note 1: CT3 William Bernard
Allenbaugh, one of the thirty four crewmen killed in the attack on
the USS Liberty was the brother of Eleanor Allenbaugh-Moen.
Eleanor is the wife of USS Little Rock Guided Missleman Anthony
"Tony" Moen, Missile Division 1963-1965. |
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