Spycraft 101.
Spycraft 101 Interviews USS Liberty Survivor Phil Tourney:
“They Wanted Us All Dead”
A Spy Ship, A Cover-Up, and a Survivor Who Won’t Stay Silent
In a gripping episode of Spycraft 101, host Justin Black sits down with Phil Tourney, a survivor of the 1967 USS Liberty attack and one of the strongest voices demanding truth, accountability, and recognition for what really happened that day.
Tourney’s account cuts through decades of misinformation, political excuses, and deliberate suppression.
“They planned it. They executed it. And they wanted zero survivors.”
What Happened on June 8, 1967
The USS Liberty—an advanced NSA intelligence ship—was legally operating in international waters when Israeli jets and torpedo boats launched a brutal surprise attack.
According to Tourney, the sequence was unmistakably intentional:
Israeli recon aircraft circled the ship for hours beforehand.
At 2:00 PM, unmarked jets attacked using rockets, napalm, and cannon fire.
All communications antennas were destroyed within seconds.
Five torpedoes were launched. One hit, killing 25 instantly.
Life rafts were machine-gunned in the water.
Helicopters carrying Israeli commandos prepared to board and finish off survivors — but suddenly retreated.
“We thought they were coming to rescue us. No — they were coming to kill the rest of us.”
Abandoned by Their Own Government
U.S. fighter jets were launched from nearby carriers — but were recalled, twice. According to Tourney, this recall came directly from the highest levels of the U.S. government.
Meanwhile, the Liberty burned, listing badly, with bodies and wounded sailors everywhere, and no help for 17 hours.
Once the ship limped to safety, survivors were:
Threatened with imprisonment by Admiral Isaac Kidd.
Ordered never to speak of Israel’s involvement.
Buried in silence by the official Navy investigation — completed in just 7 days.
Given military commendations that never mentioned Israel.
“We were attacked by a foreign nation… and then betrayed by our own.”
A False Flag That Failed
Tourney explains that the attack was designed as a false flag — sink the Liberty, blame Egypt, and trigger a U.S. military response that could have ignited World War III.
Only one thing prevented it:
The Liberty didn’t sink.
Survivors lived.
And Phil has spent 56 years telling the truth of what happened.
Why This Story Still Matters
Despite being the most decorated U.S. Navy crew for a single incident, the attack remains largely absent from textbooks, documentaries, political speeches, and mainstream media.
Tourney’s mission is simple:
Honor the 34 Americans killed.
Fight for a real Congressional investigation.
Make sure the truth is never buried again.
“We’re not anti-anyone. We’re pro-truth. Pro-America. And we’re not shutting up.”
Support the USS Liberty Veterans
🌐 USS Liberty Veterans Association: https://usslibertyveterans.org
🎥 Watch Sacrificing Liberty (YouTube & Rumble)
📘 Read Phil Tourney’s book: What I Saw That Day
🔊 Listen to Spycraft 101 Episode #142 to hear the full conversation
Suggested Tags:
USS Liberty, Spycraft 101 Podcast, Phil Tourney, False Flag Operation, NSA Intelligence Ship, Israel US Relations, 1967 Six-Day War, Naval Cover-Up, Government Betrayal, USS Liberty Veterans
