JSlayUSA : Liberty Panel
USS Liberty Survivors Panel on JSlayUSA: Phil Tourney, Moe Shafer, and Larry Bowen Share the Truth:
Do they all believe this is a cover-up for our “greatest ally”?
“Three men. Three positions on the ship. Three eyewitnesses to history. And they all agree on one thing: the attack on the USS Liberty was not mistaken identity.” - JSLAY USA Jeremy Slaydon
On June 8, 1967, Phil Tourney, Moe Shafer, and Larry Bowen were in three different parts of the USS Liberty. Different vantage points. Different responsibilities. Different experiences during the chaos of that day.
But nearly 59 years later, all three remain united on the same conclusion: there was no way this was a case of mistaken identity. They believe the USS Liberty was knowingly attacked by Israeli IDF forces, and that the American people were never told the full truth.
When men who lived through the attack, from different parts of the ship, all come to the same conclusion, people should pay attention.The Attack Begins
At approximately 2:00 PM on June 8, 1967:
Unmarked Israeli Mirage jets attacked without warning.
Rockets, cannon fire, and napalm ripped across the decks.
All communications antennas were destroyed within seconds.
Five torpedoes were fired by Israeli torpedo boats.
One torpedo tore a 40×40-foot hole, killing 25 Americans instantly.
Phil describes believing at first that the attackers must be Egyptian — because, like many aboard, he simply could not fathom that an ally would do this.
“Israel wouldn’t attack its best friend… or so we thought.”
Three Survivors. Three Parts of the Ship. One Story.
In a powerful episode hosted by Jeremy Slaydon of JSlayUSA, three survivors of the USS Liberty attack — Phil Tourney, Moe Shafer, and Larry Bowen — come together for a rare panel discussion about the events of June 8, 1967.
Each of these men was stationed in a different area of the ship during the attack. Yet despite experiencing the chaos from completely different vantage points, their testimonies all point to the same conclusion:
The attack on the USS Liberty was not a case of mistaken identity.
“We were there. We saw it. We lived it.”
For the survivors, telling this story is not about politics — it is about honoring the 34 Americans who were killed and the 174 who were wounded during one of the most controversial naval incidents in U.S. history.
The USS Liberty: A Clearly Marked American Ship
During the discussion, the survivors explain that the Liberty was an NSA intelligence collection ship operating legally in international waters during the Six-Day War.
According to Phil, Moe, and Larry:
The ship was clearly marked USS Liberty with its hull numbers visible.
A large American flag was flying prominently.
Israeli reconnaissance aircraft had flown over the ship multiple times earlier that day.
The weather conditions were clear with excellent visibility.
Despite these factors, the attack began suddenly and without warning.
“There’s no way they didn’t know who we were.”
The Attack: Air Strikes, Napalm, and Torpedoes
The panel describes the attack as a coordinated assault involving both aircraft and torpedo boats.
According to the survivors:
Israeli fighter jets opened fire with rockets and cannon rounds.
Napalm ignited fires across the ship’s deck.
Communications antennas were deliberately targeted and destroyed.
Torpedo boats later launched multiple torpedoes at the Liberty.
One torpedo struck the ship’s research compartment, killing 25 sailors instantly and tearing a massive hole in the hull.
For Moe Shafer, who was near the blast, the moment is unforgettable.
“That torpedo changed everything in a split second.”
Three Perspectives from the Same Attack
What makes this panel particularly powerful is the different vantage points of the survivors.
Phil Tourney was working in damage control, helping fight fires and keep the ship afloat.
Moe Shafer was near the torpedo explosion and witnessed firsthand the devastation inside the ship.
Larry Bowen experienced the attack from another part of the vessel, seeing the aerial assault and chaos unfolding across the deck.
Despite being in different locations aboard the Liberty, their stories align in remarkable detail.
“Every survivor tells the same story.”
Abandoned in the Mediterranean
The panel also discusses one of the most troubling aspects of the incident: the lack of immediate assistance.
Rescue aircraft launched from nearby U.S. carriers were reportedly called back before reaching the Liberty, leaving the damaged ship and its wounded crew stranded for hours.
The crew fought fires, tended to the wounded, and worked desperately to keep the ship from sinking.
“We were on our own.”
The Questions That Still Remain
More than half a century later, the survivors say many questions remain unanswered.
The official investigation into the attack was completed in only a few days, and Liberty veterans have long argued that critical testimony was ignored or dismissed.
Phil, Moe, and Larry have spent decades asking for a full Congressional investigation into the attack.
“All we want is the truth.”
Why These Voices Still Matter
Today, the number of surviving Liberty crew members continues to shrink with time. That makes conversations like this panel discussion increasingly important.
Each survivor carries a piece of the story — and together they ensure that the events of June 8, 1967 are not forgotten.
For Phil Tourney, Moe Shafer, and Larry Bowen, sharing their experiences is about honoring the memory of the men who lost their lives that day.
“We speak for the 34 who can’t.”
Learn More About the USS Liberty
🌐 USS Liberty Veterans Association: https://usslibertyveterans.org
🎙 The Phil Tourney Podcast
🎥 Sacrificing Liberty Documentary
📚 Stay Afloat — Phil Tourney’s upcoming book
Suggested Tags:
USS Liberty, Phil Tourney, Moe Shafer, Larry Bowen, JSlayUSA, USS Liberty Survivors Panel, Six Day War 1967, USS Liberty Attack, Naval History, USS Liberty Veterans
