The Liberty · Episode 6 of 6
The Request
12:23 · 8 June 1967 · Subscribers
Official findings of error face challenges from McGonagle, other survivors, and later witnesses as records emerge and requests for another investigation continue.
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Episodes
- 9:48
1The 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.
- Locked
2The 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.
- Locked
3GTR-5
Air attacks wound McGonagle and set Liberty on fire before a pilot reports its hull marking and Kislev orders the attack stopped.
- Locked
4The 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.
- Locked
5Still Afloat
Liberty refuses Israeli help and leaves under its own power while McGonagle stays in command until American ships arrive.
- Playing
6The 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.
The White House, June 1991, the survivors' reunion on the twenty-fourth anniversary of the attack.
James EnnesTwenty-four years, Captain. And they've let us into the White House.
William McGonagleI came to shake hands with my crew, Mister Ennes. That's all.
James EnnesShake them. Then say one sentence to anybody holding a notebook.
William McGonagleI haven't spoken in public about it. Not in twenty-four years.
Terry HalbardierNobody's asking you to shout, sir.
James EnnesTwo governments say they didn't know who we were. You were on that bridge. Did they look like they didn't know?
William McGonagleI know what I saw.
James EnnesThen SAY it.
William McGonagleAnd I don't know what was in that pilot's head. Neither do you.
Terry HalbardierThey paid three million, three hundred and twenty thousand dollars for our dead. I worked it out once. Divide it by thirty-four.
William McGonagleThat money is on the record, Petty Officer. What I think is not.
James EnnesIf you won't ask them to look again... who's going to?