USS Liberty Incident - Home of Heroes

Other Conflicts - Silver Star - USS Liberty Incident

The Silver Star Medal is the United States' third-highest award exclusively for combat valor and ranks fifth in the precedence of military awards behind the Medal of Honor, the Crosses (Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross), the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (awarded by DOD), and the Distinguished Service Medals of the various branches of service. It is the highest award for combat valor that is not unique to any specific branch; it has been bestowed by the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines. It may be given by any one of the individual services to not only their own members, but to members of other branches of service, foreign allies, and even to civilians for "gallantry in action" in support of combat missions of the United States military.

USS Liberty Attacked by Israeli Forces

On June 8, 1967, during the Israeli conflict with the Arab states of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria (the Six-Day War), the U.S.S. Liberty (AGTR-4) was at sea in the International Waters of the Mediterranean Sea when it was attacked by Israeli fighter planes and torpedo boats. Subsequently, both the Israeli and American governments conducted multiple inquiries into the incident and issued reports concluding that the attack was a tragic mistake, caused by confusion about the identity of the Liberty, an American intelligence-gathering ship under the command of Captain William McGonagle.

The second-deadliest attack on an American ship since World War II, during the brief but bitter attack on the Liberty, 34 American sailors and Marines were killed and at least 173 were wounded.

In a quiet ceremony, held without fanfare due to the fact that Israel and the United States were allies, Captain McGonagle was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valiant leadership throughout the attack. Two valiant members of his crew were awarded the Navy Cross--posthumously. According to Captain McGonagle's own records, a total of 11 members of the crew were awarded the Silver Star (3 posthumously), in addition to 20 Bronze Stars, 9 Navy Commendations, and 204 Purple Hearts.

BENNETT, MAURICE H.

BENNETT, MAURICE H.
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Maurice H. Bennett, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Communications Officer on board the U.S.S. LIBERTY (AGTR-5), in action in the Mediterranean Sea on 8 June 1967. Lieutenant Bennett assumed duties as the ship's communications officer and labored below decks during the attack. His on this occasion were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

BROOKS, RICHARD J.

BROOKS, RICHARD J.
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Richard J. Brooks (4546263), Chief Machinist's Mate, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving on board the U.S.S. LIBERTY (AGTR-5), in action in the Mediterranean Sea on 8 June 1967. In spite of dreadful circumstances in the machinery spaces, Chief Machinist's Mate Brooks, being in charge of the engineering watch during the action, kept the "heart of the ship" in working order, and thus held the LIBERTY's survival in the realm of possibility. The actions of Chief Machinist's Mate Brooks on this occasion were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

GOLDEN, GEORGE HOUSTON

GOLDEN, GEORGE HOUSTON
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to George Houston Golden (574328/6302), Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Engineering Officer on board the U.S.S. LIBERTY (AGTR-5), in action in the Mediterranean Sea on 8 June 1967. In spite of dreadful circumstances in the machinery spaces, Lieutenant Golden kept the "heart of the ship" in working order, and thus held the LIBERTY's survival in the realm of possibility. The actions of Lieutenant Golden on this occasion were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Virginia Beach, Virginia

KIEPFER, RICHARD F.

KIEPFER, RICHARD F.
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Richard F. Kiepfer (710107/2105), Lieutenant (MC), U.S. Navy (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Medical Officer on board the U.S.S. LIBERTY (AGTR-5), in action in the Mediterranean Sea on 8 June 1967. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Lieutenant Kiepfer exposed himself to overwhelmingly accurate rocket and machine gun fire by going to different stations and compartments to administer first aid after sick bay became untenable and evacuated following a rocket hit. He treated men for pain, shock, and took emergency measures to control, hemorrhage and later performed a chest operation. After the torpedo hit, he organized personnel for removing the wounded in case of an order to abandon ship and made trips through some of the damaged areas to the medical storeroom for needed supplies. He conducted a major surgical operation, giving the anesthesia (spinal) himself . The actions of Lieutenant Kiepfer on this occasion were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

LARKINS, DALE D.

LARKINS, DALE D.
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Dale D. Larkins (9294893), Seaman, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving on board the U.S.S. LIBERTY (AGTR-5), in action in the Mediterranean Sea on 8 June 1967. Courageously and single-handedly, Seaman Larkins operated Mount 51 and fired on attacking torpedo boats until ordered to cease fire. His aggressiveness and coolness under fire was exceptional inspirational leadership in an hour of awesome peril and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

LOCKWOOD, BRYCE F.

LOCKWOOD, BRYCE F.
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Bryce F. Lockwood (1859856), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving on board the U.S.S. LIBERTY (AGTR-5), in action in the Mediterranean Sea on 8 June 1967. Despite severe burns, the rapid rise of water, heavy smoke and complete darkness, was instrumental in the rescue of personnel from the flooded compartments, thus averting even further loss of life. Without regard for his personal safety or his injuries, Staff Sergeant Lockwood assisted in the rescue until ordered to leave. His calm, rational thinking and actions evidenced a high degree of professional competence and moral fibre. The actions of Staff Sergeant Lockwood on this occasion were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Springfield, Missouri

LUCAS, DAVID GEORGE

LUCAS, DAVID GEORGE
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to David George Lucas (710515/1105), Ensign, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving on board the U.S.S. LIBERTY (AGTR-5), in action in the Mediterranean Sea on 8 June 1967. Ensign Lucas assumed duties as Executive Officer, Operations Officer, Officer of the Deck, quartermaster of the watch, lookout, messenger, and hospital corpsman during the attack. The actions of Ensign Lucas on this occasion were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

SCOTT, JOHN DEADRICK

SCOTT, JOHN DEADRICK
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to John Deadrick Scott (700158/1105), Ensign, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Damage Control Officer on board the U.S.S. LIBERTY (AGTR-5), in action in the Mediterranean Sea on 8 June 1967. The actions of Ensign Scott on this occasion were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

*SKOLAK, DAVID (KIA)

*SKOLAK, DAVID (KIA)
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to David Skolak (B501783), Fireman First Class, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving on board the U.S.S. LIBERTY (AGTR-5), in action in the Mediterranean Sea on 8 June 1967. Fireman First Class Skolak was mortally wounded while gallantly performing his duties without regard for his own personal safety. The actions of Fireman First Class Skolak on this occasion were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Born: August 12, 1946 at Gary, Indiana
Home Town: Gary, Indiana

*THOMPSON, ALEXANDER NEIL, JR. (KIA)

*THOMPSON, ALEXANDER NEIL, JR. (KIA)
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Alexander Neil Thompson, Jr. (7704721), Gunners Mate Third Class, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving on board the U.S.S. LIBERTY (AGTR-5), in action in the Mediterranean Sea on 8 June 1967. Courageously and single-handedly, Gunner's Mate Third Class Thompson operated machine gun 51 and continued to fire on the aircraft in defense of his ship and shipmates until he was fatally wounded by a rocket blast. His aggressiveness and coolness under fire was exceptional inspirational leadership in an hour of awesome peril and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

*TOTH, STEPHEN SPENCER (KIA)

*TOTH, STEPHEN SPENCER (KIA)
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Stephen Spencer Toth (669613/1100), Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Intelligence Officer on board the U.S.S. LIBERTY (AGTR-5), in action in the Mediterranean Sea on 8 June 1967. Lieutenant Toth was on the starboard wing of the flying bridge, 04 level, when the first strafing attack occurred. It became a vital matter to quickly establish the national identity of the aircraft that had initiated the vicious attack in order to inform higher authority. With complete disregard for his own personal safety he fearlessly exposed himself to overwhelmingly accurate rocket and machine gun fire to obtain this data. While engaged in this task a violent explosion on the starboard side of the bridge inflicted fatal injuries . The actions of Lieutenant Toth on this occasion were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Born: September 12, 1939 at San Diego, California

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