THEY SERVED IN SILENCE

The Story of Cryptologic Heroes

The Crew of the U.S.S. Liberty

The Story of Cryptologic Service and Sacrifice

It is imperative that we remember that our past successes, as well as 

the triumphs of the future depend not only on the many hardworking 

analysts, linguists and engineers and technicians who labor far from 

the battle front, but on those brave and intrepid souls who risk their 

lives in an effort to “get in close.” 

 General Michael V. Hayden

Both sides in the decades-long Cold War utilized an array of intelligence gathering tools and organizations 

to gain critical knowledge of the other side’s plans and future intentions. In the 1960s, the U.S. Navy began 

to deploy a series of AGTR (Auxiliary, General, Technical Research) type ships to conduct seaborne signals 

intelligence missions. The program had proved its worth, particularly during incidents like the Cuban 

Missile Crisis.

On the morning of June 8, 1967, the U.S.S. Liberty, the fifth of the AGTR ships configured for these 

missions, was hard at work off the coast of the Sinai Peninsula. Captained by William McGonagle, a 

seasoned navy veteran who for most of his career had served aboard support vessels, the ship was 455 

feet long, could make a maximum of 18 knots, and was manned by a dedicated crew of over 200, many 

of whom were cryptologic professionals from the Naval Security Group. The Liberty was first deployed in 

1965, and by 1967, both ship and crew had established themselves as valuable assets to the U.S Navy and 

intelligence community.

The morning of the eighth, the ship was conducting normal operations, not knowing that this would be 

a day of untold horror and death. 1967 had not been a good year for geopolitical issues in the Mideast. 

Several Arab nations and the state of Israel were about to engage in what would come to be known as 

“The Six Day War.” Understanding that conflict was imminent, word was sent out for all U.S. Navy ships 

to pull back 100 miles to avoid being caught up in the coming hostilities. Regrettably, the Liberty never 

received the warning to pull back, and remained offshore performing its mission. 

That afternoon, the ship was attacked by Israeli naval and air units. To this day, historians debate about the 

circumstances that led to the attack. The devastating assault left 34 men dead and 171 wounded—two 

out of every three men on board were either killed or injured. The attack also caused extensive damage 

to the ship. A torpedo left a hole in the starboard side measuring 24 feet tall by 39 feet wide, and naval 

investigators later counted a total of 821 shell holes and countless other machine-gun and shrapnel holes. 

The 67-minute attack would prove to be the deadliest assault on a U.S. ship since World War II. Those who 

paid the ultimate sacrifice that day were a true cross-section of America. The fallen were 

from 20 different states; the oldest was 43, the youngest 19. Two were Marines. One, Allen 

Blue, was a civilian.

Despite the unfathomable death and destruction that surrounded them, the members 

of the crew who survived the attacks performed brilliantly that day. The ship’s physician, 

Lieutenant (Dr) Kiepher, related that Captain McGonagle “at that time was like a rock upon 

which the rest of the men supported themselves. To know that he was on the bridge 
MP 233610

grievously wounded, yet having the conn and helm and ... calling every change of course, was the thing 

that told the men ‘we’re going to live.’ When I went to the bridge and saw this, I should say that I knew 

that I could only insult this man by suggesting that he be taken below for treatment of his wounds. I 

didn’t even suggest it.” Working quickly, the damage control teams were able to get below to secure the 

watertight doors and miraculously keep the ship afloat. Kiepher again noted, “Any time we needed one 

volunteer, we’d get ten. If anything had to be done . . . there were hands everywhere.” Due to the work 

of the crew, the ship was saved. However, the Liberty’s legacy would soon come to an end. In late July, 

the ship departed Malta for Norfolk, where it was eventually removed from active service and eventually 

sold for scrap. The ship was no more, but the courage and bravery demonstrated by the Liberty’s crew 

on that tragic day truly will forever be remembered as an example of the finest attributes of the U.S. Navy 

and the cryptologic service. 

The Israeli government apologized officially for the attack and paid compensation for the lives lost and 

property damage. The United States officially accepted the apology and Israel’s explanation of the 

circumstances.

There is a reasonable assumption that those who engage in cryptologic work normally conduct their 

business far from the front lines. However, while many do their important work from “garrison,” it is also 

the case that when soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines go into battle, cryptologic professional go with 

them, and, like them, often find themselves in harm’s way. In short, in time of war, cryptology can be a 

dangerous and deadly way to make one’s living. The Liberty incident reminds us that those who produce 

intelligence on behalf of their country are frequently asked to risk or give their lives for their country. 

Those who paid the ultimate sacrifice that day will never be forgotten.

CT3 William B. Allenbaugh, USN Baltimore MD

LCDR Philip M. Armstrong, Jr. USN Detroit MIt

SN Gary R. Blanchard, USN Wichita KS

SN Francis Brown, USN Albany NY

CT2 Ronnie J. Campbell, USN Sevierville TN

CT3 Jerry L. Converse, USN Puyallup WA

CT2 Robert B. Eisenberg, USN St. Paul MN

CT3 Jerry L. Goss, USN North Vernon N

CTI Curtis A. Graves, USN Gross Pointe Farms MI

CTSN Lawrence P. Hayden, USN Houston TX

CTI Warren E. Hersey, USN Philadelphia PA

CTSN Alan Higgins, USN Weymouth MA

SN Carl L. Hoar, USN Mt. Vernon OH

CT2 Richard W. Keene, Jr., USN Batavia NY

CTSN James L. Lenau, USN Washington MO

CTC Raymond E. Linn, USN Zanesville OH

CTI James M. Lupton, USN Shreveport LA

CT3 Duane R. Marggraf, USN Fond du lac, WI

CTSN David W. Marlborough, USN Waterville, MA

CT2 Anthony P. Mendle, USN Mendle, CT

CTSN Carl C. Nygren, USN Williamsport, PA

LT James C. Pierce, USN Clinton, NC

ICFN David Skolak, USN Gary, IN

CTI John C. Smith, Jr., USN Ithaca, NY

CTC Melvin D. Smith, USN Almanac, NC

PC2 John C. Spicher, USN Terentum, PA

GMG3 Alexander N. Thompson, Jr., 

USN Philadelphia, PA

CT3 Thomas R. Thornton, USN Springfield, OH

CT3 Philippe C. Tiedtke, USN Santa Cruz CA

LT Stephen S. Toth, USN San Diego CA

CTI Frederick J. Walton, USN Niagara Falls NY

Sgt Jack L. Raper, USMC Cedartown GA

Cpl Edward E. Rehmeyer, USMC York PA

Allen M. Blue, NSA Yakima WA