The Liberty · Episode 2 of 6
The Green Marker
9:17 · 8 June 1967 · Subscribers
Israeli observers identify Liberty during morning flights, but naval command removes its position marker before reports of shelling send torpedo boats toward Arish.
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Episodes
- 19:48
The Escort
As war begins, McGonagle asks for a destroyer to protect his intelligence ship, but Martin denies the request and promises aircraft if Liberty comes under attack.
- 2Playing
The Green Marker
Israeli observers identify Liberty during morning flights, but naval command removes its position marker before reports of shelling send torpedo boats toward Arish.
- 3Locked
GTR-5
Air attacks wound McGonagle and set Liberty on fire before a pilot reports its hull marking and Kislev orders the attack stopped.
- 4Locked
The Hand Lamp
McGonagle tries to identify Liberty and stop its machine-gun fire while Oren identifies the damaged vessel as Egyptian and his boats launch torpedoes.
- 5Locked
Still Afloat
Liberty refuses Israeli help and leaves under its own power while McGonagle stays in command until American ships arrive.
- 6Locked
The Request
Official findings of error face challenges from McGonagle, other survivors, and later witnesses as records emerge and requests for another investigation continue.
Transcript
8 more scenes need an account.
Aboard USS Liberty, morning of 8 June 1967.
James EnnesClose enough to rattle the deck plates, Captain. The noise from their propellers.
William McGonagleWhich aircraft?
James EnnesThe Noratlas.
William McGonagleAnd the jets? Could you identify those?
James EnnesTwo. Delta wings. About nine o'clock. Unidentified.
William McGonagleKeep those separate. Don't give me one identification for everything overhead.
James EnnesYes, sir. But the Noratlas ... they must have had a good look.
William McGonagleMust have?
James EnnesI can't tell you what they saw.
William McGonagleThen give me what you can see. Leave the rest.
James EnnesShall I leave out how close they came?
William McGonagleNo. That belongs in the report. What you saw. What you heard.
James EnnesAnd leave their report to them.
William McGonagleWe can't write it for them.
James EnnesThen who do they think we are?