Statement of Harold M. Cobbs

13 April, 2004

To: Jim Ennes

From : Harold Max Cobbs

Re: The Cover Up of the USS LibertyThis is the true and correct statement of Harold Max Cobbs;

I was a 20-year-old CTM3 when. I arrived in Morocco, July of 1967. I was young and new to the NSG world.  While performing my duties on base, I was a witness to the collection and order to destroy ALL traffic regarding the attack on the USS Liberty.  Not wanting to believe what I had just seen and hard, I made the comment to comm officer, Lieutenant Rogers, “That’s just not right!”

Upon making the above comment I received a severe lecture regarding the following of direct orders. I did not have the understanding at the time, being young and new to the NSA, the implication of the “order” given. The order was to collect all traffic and put it in the mulcher.  After the material had been mulched, it was taken out back and dried. This was not enough. It was then incinerated in the oil furnace. I followed my orders as directed and went on with my duties.

In May of 1967 I received orders to NCS  Sidi Yahia and on to the U.S.S. Liberty.  I was in “crypto” school at the time of the attack.  I realized that when I heard about what had just happened to my fellow Navy brothers, that given a slight change in orders or timimg,  I too could have lost my life on that fateful day in 1967.  I am not medically retired from the Navy, and had a major stroke that has left meparalyzed on my left side. However, my memory of what took place in Morocco is still vivid and clear. Something has to be done to bring the deliberate government cover up to the attention of the American people, force a REAL independent investigation, and give some solace and justice to the survivors and families of the dead.  I swear that the statement above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and abilities.

Sincerely,

Harold M. Cobbs

http://www.usslibertyinquiry.com/evidence/witness/cobbs.jpg