The US Government asks Israel’s Ambassador if it has any problem awarding the Medal of Honor to Capt. McGonagle

Assault On The Liberty

James M. Ennes, Jr. book “Assault On the Liberty” (Random House, 1979)  was the  ‘Rosetta Stone’ in uncovering the truth about the deliberate attack on the USS Liberty.  It’s historical record and contribution to the USS Liberty attack story cannot be overstated. It is a magnificent book, it is still in print and has undergone numerous revised editions and additions over the years.  I prize my old dog-eared  “First Edition” very much.  The book is highly regarded so much by his shipmates that he is the USS Liberty Veterans Association official historian.  He’s the real expert.   And he’s taken crap over it from the Liberty apologists and ‘Israel Firsters’ for decades.   In fact, the lies and BS  the whole of USS Liberty  survivor have taken over the years is a book in itself.  Heroes forsaken and abandoned by their government, lies from the State of Israel mixed with a never ending cover up and abuse and name calling  from “anti-Semites” to “conspiracy nuts”.   They are true gentlemen of honor and integrity seeking only the answers to questions.   The US government, every  Congress and every President since LBJ has ignored their requests and explanations. What AIPAC wants,  AIPAC gets.   Momma..don’t let your babies grow up with honor…the price is damn high.

When I read the book for the first time there was the one story that just really  chapped my ass and still does  as much as  the continuing cover up was Jim Ennes’ brief anecdote on page 194.

“A naval officer concerned with medals and awards told me [Ennes] the story:  “The government of Israel is pretty jumpy about Israel,” he said. “The State Department even asked the Israeli Ambassador if his government has any objection to McGonagle  getting the medal. ‘Certainly not!’ Israel said. But to avoid any possible offense, McGonagle’s citation does not mention Israel at all.”

(Nor did the Presidential Unit Citation)

WHY THE HELL WOULD THE US GOVT.  ASK ISRAEL WHO KILLED 34 NAVY CREWMEN  IF THEY HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH AWARDING A MEDAL TO THE SHIP’S  CAPTAIN?

McGonagle’s award presentation was snubbed by the White House,  passed off to a quiet ceremony devoid of commemoration or illumination to the secluded Navy Yard with a half ass dinner (traditional custom and honor that wasn’t even planned by the US Navy as is customary for recipients of the Medal of Honor ) with no publicity or honored celebration for the man who was awarded the nations’ highest military honor for his duty above and beyond the call of duty.

LBJ chose to hand out HS diplomas instead and Capt. McGonagle never publicly said anything about it.  James Scott’s book “Attack on the Liberty” said that in researching the late Captain’s  personal papers (McG died in 1999 of cancer)  whereas only 18 months previously he asked that the US Government and the State of Israel to finally tell the truth after keeping silent,  duty bound and reclusive about the attack for 30 years.

Scott found a personal handwritten note that listed his own research of two other US servicemen not awarded the  MOH  personally by the President and the third person on his list was “ME”.

I wonder what would have happened if Israel had objected? Would the government have simply mailed it as to not offend Israel?  After all there”s no money in honor or integrity and  Israel only murdered 34 USS Liberty crewman when they were trying to deliberately  sink the whole ship.  I’m surprised the IDF  MTB crews and IDF pilots weren’t awarded “Appreciation of Merit” certificates by Congress so as not to cause a holocaust of  self esteem issues.

The disappointment that McGonagle must have felt by this snubbing or requests to the answers he never got. How sad. All for politics.  He guided his bloodied and battered ship by the North Star at night while wounded. He was the ‘rcck’ for his men. He did his job and got a kick in the head.

Oh and that bastard Israel Firster Ahron J. Cristol told in his book how he comforted McGonagle  with his research on this matter in placating his concerns.  Sure he did Ahron.  Piss off  ‘Top Gun”.  What does a accused “agent  for Israel”  know about integrity and honor?

The survivors have lived with his abuse and cover up and neglect for over 40 years.     Remember the USS Liberty.