Captain William L. McGonagle
🇺🇸 Commanding Officer, USS Liberty
🏅Medal of Honor Recipient
William L. McGonagle was the Commanding Officer of the USS Liberty (AGTR-5) on June 8, 1967, when the ship was attacked for over two hours by Israeli air and naval forces during the Six-Day War.
🇺🇸 McGonagle was severely wounded early in the attack (shrapnel, burns, blood loss).
⚓ Despite his injuries, he refused to relinquish command.
📡 He kept the ship afloat, organized damage control, tended to the wounded, and prevented further loss of life.
🕊️ 34 Americans were killed. 171 were wounded. The ship was nearly sunk.
🏅 For his actions, McGonagle received the Medal of Honor.
Here’s the part that should still make people uncomfortable:
🇺🇸 His Medal of Honor was not awarded at the White House, as is tradition.
📍 It was quietly given at the Washington Navy Yard.
🤐 The incident itself was quickly buried, downplayed, and memory-holed.
Overview
Captain William L. McGonagle was the commanding officer of the USS Liberty on June 8, 1967, when the ship came under sustained air and naval attack in international waters by Israel. Though gravely wounded early in the assault, Captain McGonagle refused to abandon command. His leadership under fire saved lives, preserved the ship, and stands as one of the clearest examples of duty and courage in modern U.S. naval history.
June 8, 1967
During the Six-Day War, the USS Liberty, a clearly marked U.S. Navy intelligence vessel, was attacked for over two hours by Israeli Defense Forces. The assault left 34 American servicemen dead and 171 wounded. The ship was left crippled, burning, and taking on water.
Captain McGonagle was struck by shrapnel and sustained serious injuries. Despite this, he remained on the bridge, directing damage control, coordinating medical aid, and maintaining command until the attack ended and the ship was stabilized.
Leadership Under Fire
Captain McGonagle’s actions that day were defined by three unshakable commitments:
To remain with his ship, regardless of personal injury
To protect his crew above all else
To carry out his duty without hesitation or retreat
Eyewitness accounts from the crew consistently describe calm, deliberate leadership at a moment when chaos and loss surrounded them.
Medal of Honor
For his actions aboard the USS Liberty, Captain McGonagle was awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration of the United States.
Notably, his Medal of Honor was not presented at the White House, as is customary. Instead, it was awarded quietly at the Washington Navy Yard. No public ceremony. No national address. No press spotlight.
The citation recognizes his “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.”
American Hero
A Man of Principle
Captain McGonagle never sought attention or recognition. After retiring from the Navy, he lived a private life, remaining steadfastly loyal to the men he commanded and the truth of what occurred aboard the USS Liberty.
He did not campaign. He did not profit. He did not exaggerate. Captain William L. McGonagle was a man of principle whose actions during and after the June 8, 1967, attack on USS Liberty embodied duty, courage, and unwavering integrity. As commanding officer, he refused to abandon the ship or the crew despite severe wounds and overwhelming danger. He directed firefighting, damage control, medical care, and the ship’s defense with clear purpose, insisting that every decision prioritize the safety and survival of his sailors.
Beyond tactical competence, McGonagle’s leadership was defined by moral courage. He held fast to the truth about what happened to the Liberty, advocating for his crew and seeking accountability even when facing political pressure and controversy. He accepted no compromise in honoring the memory of the fallen and in supporting survivors; his steadfastness helped ensure their injuries and sacrifices were neither forgotten nor downplayed.
McGonagle’s conduct earned him the Medal of Honor, but his legacy rests as much on character as on decoration. He led by example — disciplined, composed, and principled — insisting that responsibility, honesty, and care for fellow service members guide every action. For Liberty survivors, veterans, and advocates for truth and remembrance, Captain McGonagle remains a powerful symbol of resolute leadership and moral clarity.He simply stood by his crew and his conscience.
Legacy
Captain William L. McGonagle’s legacy is inseparable from the legacy of the USS Liberty itself.
He represents:
Command responsibility in its purest form
Moral courage under political silence
Leadership that puts people before position
His example endures as a standard for naval officers, service members, and Americans who believe that honor does not require permission.
Make an
impact today
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