Colin Heaton.

Written By Ray Doustdar

Colin Heaton Interviews USS Liberty Survivor Phil Tourney: “We Were Set Up To Be Killed”

Straight From the Source


In a searing Forgotten History interview, historian and former Marine Colin Heaton welcomes Phil Tourney, a survivor of the 1967 USS Liberty attack, to set the record straight. Tourney offers a devastating account of betrayal, political cover-up, and the horrifying details of a U.S. naval intelligence ship attacked by Israel—with full knowledge of the U.S. government.

“They planned to sink us, blame Egypt, and start World War III. And they almost got away with it.” — Phil Tourney

The Day the Liberty Was Attacked


While operating legally in international waters during the Six-Day War, the USS Liberty was:

  • Surveilled by Israeli recon jets that waved at the crew.

  • Attacked at 2:00 PM by unmarked Mirage jets, using rockets, napalm, and machine guns.

  • Hit by five torpedoes—one blast killed 25 Americans instantly.

  • Targeted again by troop helicopters with Israeli marines prepared to board, but abruptly pulled back.

Even life rafts were machine-gunned or taken as trophies.

The crew had no defenses, no communications, and were left alone for 17 hours after U.S. aircraft were launched and then recalled.

A Government That Turned Its Back


Tourney shares how, after the attack:

  • Survivors were threatened by Admiral Isaac Kidd: "If you ever talk, you’ll go to prison—or worse."

  • The Navy’s official investigation was wrapped in 7 days under orders from President Lyndon B. Johnson.

  • Survivors were told they couldn’t even mention Israel on their citations or memorial plaques.

“We were abandoned twice—once in battle, and again by silence.”

The Real Mission & the Bigger Lie


The Liberty was a top-secret NSA spy ship. Tourney confirms they were assigned to listen in on Egyptian and Russian signals—not Israel. Orders specifically prohibited monitoring Israeli transmissions. And yet, Israel launched an attack anyway, fully aware of the ship’s identity.

Admiral Thomas Moorer, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, later confirmed:

"The USS Liberty was the easiest ship in the world to identify."

56 Years Later, Still No Accountability
Despite being the most decorated crew in Navy history for a single event, no U.S. administration has ever publicly acknowledged what really happened. The official story remains: a tragic case of mistaken identity.

Tourney and the Liberty Veterans Association continue to demand a full Congressional investigation.

Support the Cause & Help Preserve the Truth:

  • 🌐 Visit usslibertyveterans.org

  • 🎥 Watch Sacrificing Liberty on YouTube and Rumble

  • 📘 Read Tourney’s book What I Saw That Day

  • 📣 Share this story and speak up for those who never made it home

“We’re not going away. We’re not shutting up. We’re speaking for our brothers who were murdered that day.”

Suggested Tags:


USS Liberty, Phil Tourney, Colin Heaton, Forgotten History, False Flag Attack, 1967 Six-Day War, Israel US Relations, Military Cover-Up, Government Betrayal, USS Liberty Veterans

Ray Doustdar

Adding a new chapter to his diverse career, Ray now steps into the world of literature as an author, presenting his debut work, 'Deep Shallow Dive into You.' This book is a testament to his commitment to fostering personal growth and self-awareness.

Ray's venture into authorship extends his passion for meaningful communication and impact into writing, offering readers a transformative journey designed to cultivate a more authentic relationship with themselves.

Ray aims to connect with readers profoundly through his writing, sharing insights and strategies to help them uncover their true selves and live with unwavering authenticity and intention.

https://www.deepshallowdive.com
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