The Scott Horton Show.
Scott Horton Interviews Phil Tourney: The USS Liberty Attack Was Not a Mistake
A Long-Overdue Conversation About a Buried Crime
In Episode 6201 of The Scott Horton Show, libertarian journalist and foreign-policy expert Scott Horton sits down with USS Liberty survivor Phil Tourney for one of the most comprehensive and emotionally raw interviews ever recorded about the June 8, 1967 attack.
While many Americans are only now hearing about the USS Liberty, Phil has lived with this story for nearly six decades — carrying not only the memories of that day, but the responsibility of speaking for the 34 men who never came home.
“We were not attacked by accident. We were sent into a kill zone and abandoned.”
Setting the Record Straight
Scott Horton begins by acknowledging how shocking it is that such a major naval incident remains largely unknown — even among politically engaged Americans. Phil explains how the Liberty, an NSA intelligence ship, was ordered into the eastern Mediterranean during the Six-Day War with no escort, despite explicit requests for protection.
According to Phil:
The ship was clearly marked “USS Liberty” with hull numbers visible.
A large American flag flew throughout the day — replaced twice after being shot down.
Israeli aircraft conducted hours of reconnaissance, waving at the crew.
The weather was clear, visibility perfect.
“You’d have to be blind not to know we were American.”
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.”
Rescue Aircraft Ordered Back
One of the most disturbing revelations discussed in the interview is the recall of U.S. rescue aircraft.
Phil recounts how:
Aircraft launched from the USS Saratoga were recalled by Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara.
A second launch from the USS America was also ordered back.
The order ultimately came from President Lyndon B. Johnson.
“I don’t care about a few dead sailors. I will not embarrass my ally.”
The Liberty was left burning and flooding — alone for 17 hours — despite help being less than 40 minutes away.
War Crimes in Plain Sight
Phil details actions that constitute clear violations of international law:
Napalm used against U.S. sailors.
Life rafts machine-gunned in the water.
One life raft taken aboard an Israeli boat as a trophy.
Helicopters carrying commandos approaching to board and finish off survivors — before suddenly withdrawing.
“They were coming to kill whoever was still alive.”
The Cover-Up Begins Immediately
After finally reaching Malta, Phil and other survivors expected accountability. Instead, they were met by Admiral Isaac Kidd and Navy legal counsel Ward Boston.
Phil describes how:
Survivors were told the investigation would find “mistaken identity.”
Testimony contradicting that narrative was ignored.
Crew members were threatened with prison — or worse — if they spoke.
The official investigation lasted just seven days.
“It wasn’t an investigation. It was a cover-up.”
Decades of Silence — And Why It Broke
Phil explains how survivors remained silent for nearly 20 years until officer James Ennes Jr. published Assault on the Liberty. From that moment on, survivors began reconnecting — and speaking out.
Since then, Phil says they have faced:
Smears and intimidation
Political stonewalling
Congressional refusal to investigate
Accusations of dishonesty
Being labeled “anti-Semitic” for telling the truth
“All we ever wanted was to testify under oath.”
Why This Interview Matters Now
Scott Horton frames the Liberty as a turning point — not just historically, but morally.
Phil argues that if the Liberty had sunk:
Egypt would have been blamed.
The U.S. would have entered the war.
Nuclear weapons were already en route to the region.
World history would have changed instantly.
“Our ship not sinking saved millions of lives.”
A Survivor’s Mission
Now nearing 80, Phil Tourney remains unwavering:
He speaks for the 34 who cannot.
He demands a real Congressional investigation.
He refuses to let the truth die with the survivors.
“If I have to talk about the USS Liberty on my dying breath, I will.”
Learn More & Support the USS Liberty Survivors
🌐 USS Liberty Veterans Association: https://usslibertyveterans.org
📘 What I Saw That Day — Phil Tourney
📘 Stay Afloat — Coming soon
🎥 Sacrificing Liberty documentary (YouTube & Rumble)
🎧 The Scott Horton Show — Episode 6201
Suggested Tags:
USS Liberty, Scott Horton Show, Phil Tourney, 1967 Six-Day War, Naval Cover-Up, False Flag Operation, Israel US Relations, Government Secrecy, USS Liberty Veterans, Stay Afloat
