William Loren McGonagle was a United States Navy officer who received the Medal of Honor for his actions while in command of the USS Liberty when it was attacked by Israel in the Eastern Mediterranean on June 8, 1967, during the Six-Day War.
Captain William McGonagle, October 1967
Commander McGonagle points out damage to the USS Liberty.
USS Liberty (AGTR-5) was a Belmont-class technical research ship that was attacked by Israel Defense Forces during the 1967 Six-Day War. She was originally built and served in World War II as a VC2-S-AP3 type Victory cargo ship named SS Simmons Victory. Her keel was laid down on 23 February 1945, under a Maritime Commission contract at Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation of Portland, Oregon.
USS Liberty (AGTR-5) in Chesapeake Bay on 29 July 1967.
USS Liberty being assisted by Sixth Fleet SH-3 after being attacked by Israeli forces on 8 June 1967.