USNA CLASS OF 1953
September 24, 2009
Admiral Michael Mullen, U. S. Navy
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
9999 Joint Staff, Pentagon
Dear Admiral Mullen,
This past July you
may have seen in the Washington Post a prominent review of
James Scott's book, "The Attack on the Liberty"
subtitle, "The Untold Story of Israel's
Deadly 1967 Assault on a U.S. Spy Ship" featuring a large photo of the
memorial service on the flight deck of America for the 34 killed.
Our Academy class, over the last
several years, has had a number of speakers at our monthly luncheons who have
been involved in the
We believe this well written,
meticulously researched and fully documented account of the attack and the
shameful political aftermath which both Admirals
McDonald and Moorer confronted as this remarkable and brave crew were shunned
because it was more important to the White House
to protect relations with an ally than to support and defend American service
members, will be on the reading list of a wide American audience.
The author is an accomplished
journalist. Drawing on new interviews and recently declassified documents, Scott demonstrates that
It is our hope that you and
Admiral Roughead and General Jones, to whom we are also sending copies of
" The Attack on the Liberty" will read it, and following in the
direction of the late Admiral Moorer, will earnestly try to find a way to
finally honor in truth and justice these men, "who
did not give up the ship."
Very respectfully,
David B. Jones,
President