1454Z 22 June 1967 transmitted message text from
Director, National Security Agency to
unidentified NSA entities/locations and the
White House

SIGINT READINESS BRAVO "CRAYON" REPORT NR. 2149

   AFTERMATH OF ISRAELI ATTACK ON USS LIBERTY, 8 JUNE 1967

1. GENERAL
   THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITY IS BASED ON ISRAELI PLAIN LANGUAGE
VHF/UHF VOICE COMMUNICATIONS INTERCEPTED ON 8 JUNE 1967 BETWEEN
1229Z AND 1328Z. THIS ACTIVITY DEALS SOLELY WITH THE AFTERMATH
OF THE ATTACK BY ISRAELI JET AIRCRAFT AND TORPEDO BOATS ON THE
USS LIBERTY (GTR5). THERE ARE NO COMINT REFLECTIONS OF THE ACTUAL
ATTACK ITSELF.
2. SUMMARY
   AT 1230Z, TWO ISRAELI HELICOPTERS 810 AND 815, WERE DIS-
PATCHED BY HATSOR TO THE AREA OF THE INCIDENT TO CHECK FOR
SURVIVORS OF AN UNIDENTIFIED "WARSHIP." APPROXIMATELY AT 1234Z,
THE AIR CONTROLLER AT HATSOR CLARIFIED THE IDENTITY OF THE SHIP
TO THE TWO ISRAELI HELICOPTERS BY INFORMATING THEM THAT IT HAD
BEEN IDENTIFIED AS EGYPTIAN. AT 1239Z, HATSOR TOLD THE HELI-
COPTERS THAT IT WAS AN EGYPTIAN CARGO SHIP.
   AT 1307Z, HATSOR TOLD HELICOPTER 815 TO TAKE ANY SURVIVORS
THAT SPOKE EGYPTIAN TO AL 'ARISH ((31-08N 34-5E)), BUT IF THEY
SPOKE ENGLISH TO TAKE THEM TO LOD ((31-58N 34-54)).
   AT 1312Z, THE ISRAELI HELICOPTER 815 APPARENTLY INFORMED
HATSOR ON A DIFFERENT FREQUENCY THAT IT HAD SIGHTED AN AMERICAN
FLAG ON THE SHIP. HATSOR THEN ASKED THE HELICOPTER TO MAKE
ANOTHER PASS TO CHECK "IF THIS IS REALLY AN AMERICAN FLAG."
   THE HELICOPTERS AND THE MTBS WERE COMMUNICATING ON A UHF
FREQUENCY WHEREAS THE HELICOPTERS AND THE AIR CONTROLLER AT
HATSOR WERE USING VHF THROUGHOUT. AT 1310Z, HELICOPTER 815 IN-
FORMED THE MTB USING CALLWORD "PAGODA" THAT THE SHIP WAS NOT IN
DANGER. THE SAME HELICOPTER THEN REPORTED THAT G.T.R.-5 WAS
WRITTEN ON THE SHIP AND INQUIRED IF THIS MEANT ANYTHING. THE
MTB REPLIED IN THE NEGATIVE.
   THROUGHOUT THIS INTERCEPT, THE USS LIBERTY IS REFERRED TO AS
THE "BIG ONE" WHILE THE THREE ISRAELI MOTOR TORPEDO BOATS ARE RE-
FERRED TO AS THE "SMALL ONES". THE HELICOPTERS USED CALLSIGNS
810 AND 815. THE AIR CONTROLLER AT HATSOR AIR BASE USED CALL-
WORD "TRIBUNE". THE MTBS USED CALLWORDS "THORN," "PAGODA" AND
"CRISIS." THE CALLWORD "JEWEL" IS NOT IDENTIFIED, BUT MAY BE
HAIFA.
3. DETAILS
TIME   TO        FROM           TEXT
       ---       ---            I UNDERSTAND THE COURSE FROM
                                ASHDOD ((31-55N 34-39E)) IS 215.
       ---       ---            NEGATIVE ((THE COURSE IS)) 250.
       ---       ---            GOGER [sic]
       815       (TRIBUNE)      TO WHAT ALTITUDE ARE YOU CLIMBING?
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          I'M NOW AT 500 FEET.
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)
1230Z  ---       ---            FIVE BY.
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      PAY ATTENTION: THERE WAS A WARSHIP
                                THERE WHICH WE ATTACKED ((1 WD G)),
                                THE MEN JUMPED FROM IT ((THE SHIP))
                                INTO THE WATER, YOU WILL TRY TO
                                RESCUE THEM.
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          ROGER, I UNDERSTAND IT WAS HIT AND
                                UNABLE TO FIRE.
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      NO FIRE WAS SEEN FROM HER AND THOSE
                                [deleted] ON BOARD) DID NOT FIRE; HEAVY
                                SMOKE IS RISING FROM HER.
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          ROGER
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          [deleted] CROSSING THE) COAST NOW AT
                                A COURSE OF 250.
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      ROGER, OVER. WHAT LOCATION ((ARE YOU))?
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          OVER ASHDOD.
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      ROGER, WHAT'S YOUR ALTITUDE?

S E C R E T SAVIN SECTION TWO 2/0/[deleted]/R01-67

SIGINT READINESS BRAVO "CRAYON" REPORT NR. 2149

   AFTERMATH OF ISRAELI ATTACK ON USS LIBERTY, 8 JUNE 1967

       (TRIBUNE) (815)          500 FEET.
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      ARE YOU ABLE TO CLIMB TO AN ALTITUDE
                                OF ((1,000 FEET))?
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          ROGER, I'M CLIMBING.
1232Z
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          ALTITUDE 1 ((100000, COURSE 250.
       815       (TRIBUNE)      ROGER.
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      ARE YOU AT SEA NOW?
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          ABOUT 3 OR 4 MILES.
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      ROGER.
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      VISUAL ((RADAR)) CONTACT WITH YOU.
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          ROGER.
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          ((CALLING)) ((REPEATS)).
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      AT THE MOMENT SHE ((LIBERTY)) IS
                                STRAIGHT AHEAD AT A DISTANCE OF
                                ABOUT 50 MILES.
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          ROGER.
       (TRIBUNE) 810            ((CALLING)).
       815       (815)          FIVE BY, 810 IS CALLING YOU.
       815       TRIBUNE        ((CALLING)).
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          FIVE BY.
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      PAY ATTENTION: THE SHIP IS NOW
                                IDENTIFIED AS EGYPTIAN, YOU CAN
                                RETURN HOME NOW.
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          ROGER.
1235Z
       810       (815)          ESTABLISH COMMUNICATIONS WITH YOU
                                ALSO.
       815       (TRIBUNE)      DID YOU RECEIVE?
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          AFFIRMATIVE, RECEIVE, I'M RETURNING.
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      ROGER.
       (TRIBUNE) (810)          ((CALLING)).
       (TRIBUNE) 815            ((CALLING)).
       (TRIBUNE) 810            AM I TO RETURN ALSO?
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      I'LL LET YOU KNOW SHORTLY.
       (TRIBUNE) (810)          ROGER.
1236Z
       (TRIBUNE) 810            (CALLING)).
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      ROGER, I'LL LET YOU KNOW SHORTLY.
       (TRIBUNE) (810)          OK.
       (TRIBUNE) (8)10          ((CALLING)) ((RPTS))
       810       (TRIBUNE)      YOU REMAIN MEANWHILE IN COMMUNICA-
                                TIONS WITH ME.
       (TRIBUNE) (810)          ROGER, WHAT AM I TO LOOK FOR?
       (TRIBUNE) 815            ((CALLING)).
       810       (TRIBUNE)      WHERE ARE YOU?
       (TRIBUNE) (810)          I'M CLOSE TO ASHDOD.
       (810)     (815)          ROGER, I'M ALSO CLOSE TO ASHDOD,
                                ON THE SEAWARD SIDE.
1238Z
       TRIBUNE   (810)          DID YOU RECEIVE?
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      WHAT DID 815 REQUEST?
       810       (815)          WHAT'S YOUR ALTITUDE?
       (815)     (810)          ALTITUDE 500 FEET, NEAR ASHDOD.
       810       (815)          ROGER, WE'RE AT ALTITUDE 1200 FEET
                                OVER ASHDOD.
       (815)     (810)          ROGER.
       810       (TRIBUNE)      ((CALLING)).
       (TRIBUNE) (810)          FIVE BY.
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      PAY ATTENTION: YOU WILL CONTINUE
                                MEANWHILE ON A COURSE OF 250 FROM
                                ASHDOD. THE BOTH OF YOU ((1-2 WD G))
                                WILL HEAD TOWARD THE SHIP.
       815       (TRIBUNE)      ((CALLING)).
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          FIVE BY.
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      ROGER, YOU WILL CONTINUE ((AT A
                                COURSE)) OF 250 FROM ASHDOD. THE
                                BOTH OF YOU WILL HEAD FOR THE SHIP,
                                FOR THE TIME BEING THE BOTH OF YOU
                                WILL BE AT ALTITUDE 1 ((1000 FEET)).
       810       (TRIBUNE)      DO YOU SEE US?
       (TRIBUNE) (810)          AFFIRMATIVE, AFFIRMATIVE.
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      WHERE ARE YOU?
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      WHERE ARE NOW?

S E C R E T SAVIN SECTION THREE 2/0/[deleted]/R01-67

SIGINT READINESS BRAVO "CRAYON" REPORT NR. 2149

AFTERMATH OF ISRAELI ATTACK ON USS LIBERTY, 8 JUNE 1967

       (TRIBUNE) (810)          ASHDOD, ALTITUDE 1 ((1000)).
       (TRIBUNE) (810)          DO YOU RECEIVE?
       810       (TRIBUNE)      ((CALLING)).
       (TRIBUNE) (810)          FIVE BY.
       (TRIBUNE) (810)          ALTITUDE IS 1 ((1000)), AT ASHDOD.
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      ROGER.
       (TRIBUNE) (810)          GOING TO COURSE 250 TOGETHER WITH
                                815.
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      ARE THE TWO OF YOU TOGETHER?
       (TRIBUNE) (810)          AFFIRMATIVE, WE'RE TOGETHER.
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      ROGER.
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      PAY ATTENTION: YOU [deleted] NONETHE-
                                LESS) ARE HEADING FOR THE SHIP.
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      YOU WILL TRY TO TAKE THE MEN FROM
                                THE WATER.
       (TRIBUNE) (810)          ROGER, OKAY.
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      FOR YOUR INFORMATION: THE SHIP IS
                                APPARENTLY [deleted] BURNING.).
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      ((1 WD G)) IT IS AN EGYPTIAN CARGO
                                SHIP.
       (TRIBUNE) (810)          ROGER.
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      VISUAL ((RADAR)) CONTACT WITH BOTH
                                OF YOU.
       (TRIBUNE) (810)          ROGER.
1240Z
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ((1-2 WD G))
                                BOTH OF YOU?
       (TRIBUNE) (810)          AFFIRMATIVE.
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      ROGER.
1241Z
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      ((CALLING)).
       (TRIBUNE) (810)          FIVE BY.
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      TAKE THE MEN TO EL-ARISH.
       (TRIBUNE) (810)          ROGER, OKAY.
       (815)     (810)          DID YOU RECEIVE?
       (810)     (815)          I RECEIVED, AFFIRMATIVE.
1242Z
       (810)     (815)          HOW MUCH FUEL DO YOU HAVE?
       (815)     (810)          TWO AND A HALF TANKS.
       (810)     (815)          I HAVE 1,700 ((LITERS)).
       (815)     (810)          THIS ISN'T GOOD.
       (810)     (815)          ((1 WD G)) TO EL ARISH.
       (815)     (810)          ROGER.
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      THE SHIP IS LOCATED NOW STRAIGHT
                                AHEAD AT A RANGE OF 50 MILES.
       (TRIBUNE) (810)          ROGER.
       ---       ---            ARE YOU FIRST IN LINE?
       ---       ---            AFFIRMATIVE.
       ---       ---            ROGER.
       TRIBUNE   815            ((2 WD G)) FROM THE COAST OF EL ARISH.
1248Z
       TRIBUNE   810            ((CALLING)) ((REPEATS((.
1250Z
       TRIBUNE   810            ABOUT HOW MANY MEN ARE THERE?
       815       TRIBUNE        ((CALLING))
       TRIBUNE   810            HOW MANY MEN ARE THERE?
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      TURN RIGHT TO ((COURSE)) 260.
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          REPEAT.
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      TURN RIGHT TO COURSE 260.
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          ((COURSE)), THEY WANT TO KNOW HOW
                                MANY MEN ARE THERE?
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      AT THE PRESENT TIME, IT STILL ISN'T
                                KNOWN, THE DISTANCE TO YOU IS NOW
                                33 MILES.
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          ROGER.
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          WHAT IS THE DISTANCE FROM IT ((THE
                                LIBERTY)) TO EL ARISH?
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      THE DISTANCE IS APPROXIMATELY 30
                                MILES.
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          ROGER.
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      FIVE BY.
       (TRIBUNE) (810)          IT'S NOTEWORTHY THAT IT ((1 WD G)).
       (810)     (TRIBUNE)      ROGER.
       TRIBUNE   815            ((CALLING)).
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      FIVE BY.
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          WHAT IS THE DISTANCE?
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      THE DISTANCE IS NOW 23 MILES.
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          ROGER.

S E C R E T SAVIN SECTION FOUR 2/0/[deleted]/R01-67

SIGINT READINESS BRAVO "CRAYON" REPORT NR. 2149

   AFTERMATH OF ISRAELI ATTACK ON USS LIBERTY, 8 JUNE 1967

       815       (TRIBUNE)      PAY ATTENTION: CALL ON 86 OR ON
                                186 PAGODA.
       ((TR-NOTE: 186 AND 86 REFER TO A UHF FREQUENCY))
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          ROGER.
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          I'M GOING OVER TO 186.
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      ROGER.
       (TRIBUNE) 810            I'M ALSO ((GOING OVER TO 186)).
       (815)     TRIBUNE        IS SOMEONE CALLING (ME)) TRIBUNE?
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          AFFIRMATIVE, I DON'T HAVE CONTACT
                                WITH PAGODA.
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      ROGER, CLEAR, THE SHIP IS NOW AT A
                                DISTANCE OF 19 MILES.
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          ROGER, IS PAGODA LOCATED NEAR ((THE
                                LIBERTY))?
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      APPARENTLY IT'S LOCATED NEAR IT
                                ((THE SHIP)).
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          ROGER.
1257Z
       815       (TRIBUNE)      IF YOU ARE ABLE, TRY TO CALL HER
                                ((PAGODA)) ON 86.
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          I TRIED.
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          I DIDN'T (C VAL GET ANYTHING)
                                ((MAKE CONTACT)).
       (815)     (TRIBUNE)      ROGER.
       TRIBUNE   815            ))CALLING)).
       815       TRIBUNE        DO YOU HAVE VISUAL CONTACT? STRAIGHT
                                AHEAD, A DISTANCE OF 18 MILES.
       TRIBUNE   815            I HAVE VISUAL CONTACT WITH ((1 WD G))
                                SMOKE OR IT COULD BE ((1-2 WD G)).
       815       TRIBUNE        ROGER, IS THERE MUCH SMOKE RISING
                                FROM IT?
       TRIBUNE   815            ROGER.
       TRIBUNE   815            I DON'T HAVE CONTACT WITH PAGODA.
       815       TRIBUNE        ROGER.
       810       815            ((CALLING)).
       815       810            FIVE BY.
       810       815            DO YOU HAVE CONTACT WITH PAGODA?
       815       81)            NEGATIVE.
       810       815            ROGER, I DON'T EITHER.
       815       TRIBUNE        ((CALLING)).
       TRIBUNE   815            FIVE BY.
       815       TRIBUNE        WHEN YOU BEGIN BRINGING UP THE MEN,
                                CLARIFY BY THE FIRST MAN THAT YOU
                                BRING UP, WHAT NATIONALITY HE IS.
1259Y [sic]
       815       TRIBUNE        AND REPORT TO ME IMMEDIATELY, IT'S
                                IMPORTANT TO KNOW.
       TRIBUNE   815            ROGER.
       815       TRIBUNE        WHAT IS YOUR ALTITUDE NOW?
       TRIBUNE   815            ALTITUDE IS 1 ((1000 FEET)).
       815       TRIBUNE        ROGER.
       TRIBUNE   815            I HAVE ((VISUAL)) CONTACT WITH A
                                VESSEL STRAIGHT AHEAD ((AT A DISTANCE
                                OF)) 12 ((MILES)) a LITTLE FROM THE
                                RIGHT, SMOKE ISN'T RISING; QT THE
                                NORTH IT ISN'T SMOKING.
       815       TRIBUNE        THE DISTANCE IS NOW 13 MILES.
       TRIBUNE   815            ROGER.
       815       TRIBUNE        DO YOU SEE THE SHIP?
       TRIBUNE   815            I SEE THE SHIP, A LITTLE TO THE
                                RIGHT OF THE SMOKE, THE SMOKE
                                THE SMOKE ISN'T RISING.
       815       TRIBUNE        ROGER, IT'S POSSIBLE THAT ((THE
                                SMOKE)) IS FROM ONE OF OURS.
       TRIBUNE   815            ROGER.
       TRIBUNE   815            IT'S WORTH CLARIFYING.
       815       TRIBUNE        ROGER.
       TRIBUNE   815            ROGER, WHAT I SEE [deleted] NOW) IS
                                OURS, THIS IS CLEAR.
       815       TRIBUNE        ROGER.
       815       TRIBUNE        10 MILES IS THE DISTANCE NOW.
       TRIBUNE   815            ROGER, I UNDERSTAND AT 12 O'CLOCK
                                ((1 WD G)).

S E C R E T SAVIN SECTION FIVE 2/0/[deleted]/R01-67

SIGINT READINESS BRAVO "CRAYON" REPORT NR. 2149

   AFTERMATH OF ISRAELI ATTACK ON USS LIBERTY, 8 JUNE 1967

       815       TRIBUNE        AFFIRMATIVE, A LITTLE ON THE RIGHT
                                SIDE.
       TRIBUNE   815            VOGER. [sic]
1301Z
       815       TRIBUNE        THE DISTANCE IS NOW 9 MILES.
1302Z
       TRIBUNE   815            I'M GOING OVER TO 86.
       815       TRIBUNE        ROGER, I REQUEST TO RECEIVE A REPORT,
                                TELL ME THE NATIONALITY.
       TRIBUNE   815            ((CALLING)).
       815       TRIBUNE        GO AHEAD.
       TRIBUNE   815            ROGER, THERE IS A LARGE SHIP, SMOKE
                                ISN'T RISING. AT THE PRESENT TINE [sic]
                                SMOKE IS A LITTLE TO THE RIGHT ON ITS
                                LEFT SIDE ((XG)) I SEE A SMALL VESSEL.
                                TRIBUNE 815 THREE SMALL VESSELS.
1303Z
       815       (TRIBUNE)      ARE YOU CALLING ME?
       TRIBUNE   815            FIVE BY.
       815       TRIBUNE        DID YOU CALL ME?
       TRIBUNE   815            AFFIRMATIVE.
       815       TRIBUNE        ROGER, WHAT'S THE MATTER?
       TRIBUNE   815            THERE IS A LARGE VESSEL, NEAR IT
                                ARE 3 SMALL VESSELS, COULD THIS BE
                                IT, AT A DISTANCE OF A MILE FROM ME?
       815       TRIBUNE        ROGER, CLEAR.
       815       TRIBUNE        ROGER, APPARENTLY THE SMALL VESSELS
                                ARE OURS.
       TRIBUNE   815            ROGER.
       815       810            ((CALLING)).
       810       815            FIVE BY.
       815       810            WHAT'S THE MATTER?
       810       815            DON'T YOU SEE IT YET?
       815       810            I'M BEHIND YOU, I STILL DON'T SEE
                                THE SHIP ((1 WD G)) ON THE RIGHT SIDE
                                OF US.
       810       815            ROGER, EXACTLY IN FRONT OF ME, THREE
                                ARE THE SMALL VESSELS.
       815       810            WHAT'S WITH THEM, WHAT'S GOING ON?
       810       815            IT APPEARS THAT THEY ARE OURS.
       815       810            ON OUR RIGHT SIDE?
       810       815            YES.
       815       TRIBUNE        ALL 3 OF THEM ARE OURS.
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          ROGER, THE SMALL ONES, RIGHT?
       815       TRIBUNE        AFFIRMATIVE.
       TRIBUNE   815            ROGER, I'M HEADING FOR THE BIG
                                ONE ((LIBERTY)).
       815       TRIBUNE        ARE YOU GOING FOR THE BIG ONE?
       (TRIBUNE) (815)          AFFIRMATIVE.
1304Z
       815       THORN          ROGER, WAIT.
       ---       ---            FIVE BY.
       ---       ---            ROGER, TRANSMIT.
       ---       ---            YES.
       ---       ---            WITH YOU.
      ((TR-NOTE: LAST 4 TRANSMISSIONS ARE ONE WAY COMMUNICATIONS---
                 ALL 4 ARE FROM SAME SOURCE OTHER TERMINAL IS
                 ON DIFFERENT FREQUENCY))
      185 ((SIC)) THORN         WE SEARCH AROUND AND DIDN'T FIND
                                ANYONE.
      ((TR-NOTE: IT IS BELIEVED THAT THORN MADE AN ERROR AND
                 WANTED YO CALL 815. THE CALLSIGN 185 HOWEVER
                 HAS BEEN USED BY AN ISRAELI JET AIRCRAFT
                 (EITHER A MIRAGE OR A MYSTERE). IT IS OF
                 COURSE POSSIBLE THAT THORN HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN
                 IN CONTACT WITH 185, BUT IF THIS WAS THE CASE
                 THERE ARE NO COMINT REFLECTIONS OF THIS
                 ACTIVITY.)
      (THORN)    (815)          ROGER.
      (815)      (THORN)        THE BIG ONE (LIBERTY)) IS NOT OURS.
      185 ((SIC)) THORN         HOW DO YOU READ ME?
      ((TR-NOTE: AGAIN THORN SAYS 185 VICE 815))
      (THORN)    815            ((CALLS)).
      815        THORN          WE SEARCHED AROUND AND DIDN'T
                                FIND ANYONE.
      THORN      (815)          ROGER.
      ---        TRIBUNE        WE HEAR YOU EXCELLENTLY.

S E C R E T SAVIN SECTION SIX 2/0/[deleted]/R01-67

SIGINT READINESS BRAVO "CRAYON" REPORT NR. 2149

   AFTERMATH OF ISRAELI ATTACK ON USS LIBERTY, 8 JUNE 1967

      PAGODA     810            ((CALLS)).
      810        PAGODA         TRANSMIT.
      (PAGODA)   (810)          WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?
      (810)      (PAGODA)       SEND YOUR REPORT.
      (PAGODA)   810            WHAT HAS TO BE DONE HERE?
      PAGODA     810            ((CALLS).
      (810)      (PAGODA)       SEARCH TO SEE IF THERE ARE MEN IN
                                THE WATER.
1306Z
      (PAGODA)   (810)          ROGER.
      ---        (TRIBUNE)      I UNDERSTAND AND FOR THE BIG ONE
                                ((LIBERTY)).
      (TRIBUNE)  (PAGODA)       DON'T SPEAK ON THE CHANNEL NOW
                                ((RPTS)).
      ---        (PAGODA)       FIVE BY, IT APPEARS TO ME THAT I
                                FOUND THE MEN.
      ---        PAGODA         AFFIRMATIVE?
      ---        (PAGODA)       ROGER, THAT'S CLEAR.
      ---        (PAGODA)       ROGER.
      ---        (PAGODA)       NEGATIVE, IT'S NOT MEN, IT'S BOATS,
                                IT'S NOT MEN.
      TRIBUNE    810            ((CALLING)).
      810        TRIBUNE        GO AHEAD.
      815        810            ((CALLING)).
      810        815            FIVE BY.
      815        810            WHAT'S GOING ON?
      810        815            I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ((1 WD G))
                                ((ABOUT THEM)) I'LL TRY TO CONTACT
                                THEM ON 186.
      ((TR-NOTE: 815 IS TRYING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE 3 SMALL
                 SHIPS ON 186 FREQUENCY))
      815        810            ARE THE SMALL ONES OURS?
      815        TRIBUNE        ((CALLING)).
      TRIBUNE    815            FIVE BY.
      815        TRIBUNE        PAY ATTENTION: IF ANY OF THEM ARE
                                SPEAKING AND IF THEY ARE SPEAKING
                                ARABIC ((EGYPTIAN)), YOU TAK [sic] THEM TO
                                EL ARISH ((31-03N 33-45E)) IF THEY
                                ARE SPEAKING ENGLISH, NOT EGYPTIAN,
                                YOU TAKE THEM TO LOD ((31-58N
                                34-54E)) IS THIS CLEAR?
      TRIBUNE    815            ROGER.
      815        TRIBUNE        DO YOU SEE THE MEN?
      815        TRIBUNE        TO WHOM DOES THE BIG ONE ((SHIP))
                                BELONG?
1307Z
      815        810            ((CALLING)) ((REPEATS)).
      810        815            FIVE BY.
      815        810            DON'T LEAVE THE VICINITY, IF YOU
                                DO LEAVE, REPORT ((TO ME)).
      810        815            I'M NOT MONITORING THIS CHANNEL,
                                I'M SPEAKING ON 186 WITH THORN.
                                THIS IS THE SMALL ONES ((SIC)).
      815        810            ROGER, WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?
      810        815            SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS [deleted] WHETHER
                                YOU FIND THEM OR NOT).
      PAGODA     815            ((CALLS)).
      815        PAGODA         TRANSMIT.
1308Z
      (815)      (810)          ROGER.
      810        TRIBUNE        ((CALLING)) ((REPEATS)).
      815        TRIBUNE        ((CALLING)).
      815        TRIBUNE        ARE YOU OVER WHATEVER YOU LOCATED?
      ((TR-NOTE: IT SHOULD BE NOTED HERE THAT HELICOPTERS 810
                 AND 815 ARE NOW ANSWERING CONTROL ON ANOTHER
                 FREQUENCY))
      815        TRIBUNE        ROGER, THE FIRST MATTER TO CLARIFY
                                IS TO FIND OUT WHAT THEIR NATIONALITY
                                IS.
      (815)      (TRIBUNE)      REPORT TO ME IMMEDIATELY.

S E C R E T SAVIN FINAL SECTION OF SEVEN 2/0/[deleted]/R01-67

SIGINT READINESS BRAVO "CRAYON" REPORT NR. 2149

   AFTERMATH OF ISRAELI ATTACK ON USS LIBERTY, 8 JUNE 1967

      (815)      (TRIBUNE)      ROGER THIS IS CLEAR.
      815        TRIBUNE        ROGER, YOU WATCH OUR [out] FOR THE MASTS
                                THERE.
      815        TRIBUNE        ((CALLING)).
      (PAGODA)   (815)          I UNDERSTAND THAT THE SHIP IS NOT
                                IN DANGER.
      (815)      PAGODA         I AM NOT SURE THAT IT ((THE LIBERTY))
                                IS NOT IN DANGER. ARE YOU SUGGESTING
                                THE SERIOUSNESS OF IT ((THE SITUA-
                                TION)), BY ((SAYING)) THIS? ((TR-NOTE:
                                AS HEARD)).
      (PAGODA)   (815)          NEGATIVE, G.T.R.-5 IS WRITTEN ((ON
                                IT)).
      ((TR-NOTE: LETTERS G.T.R. SENT IN ENGLISH))
      (815)      (PAGODA)       ROGER ((STOPS)).
      (PAGODA)   (815)          DOES THIS SOMETHING?
      (815)      (PAGODA)       NEGATIVE, IT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING.
      (PAGODA)   (815)          FROM BEHIND IT ((LIBERTY)) SEVERAL
                                UNINFLATED BOATS WERE SEEN.
      (815)      (PAGODA)       ROGER.
      815        TRIBUNE        YOU TAKE 810 WITH YOU AND RETURN
                                HOME, [deleted] BEARING) 070, DISTANCE
                                OF 6 MILES.
      (815)      (TRIBUNE)      FIVE BY.
1312Z
      815        TRIBUNE        ROGER, THIS IS CLEAR, DID YOU
                                CLEARLY IDENTIFY AN AMERICAN FLAG?
      815        TRIBUNE        THANKS, REMAIN MEANWHILE OVER THE
                                AREA.
      810        815            ((CALLING)).
      815        TRIBUNE        WE REQUEST THAT YOU MAKE ANOTHER
                                PASS AND CHECK ONCE MORE IF THIS
                                IS REALLY AN AMERICAN FLAG.
      (TRIBUNE)  (815)          ROGER.
      ((TR-NOTE: DO NOT HEAR FROM 815 UNTIL 1327Z))
      ---        (TRIBUNE)      FIVE BY.
      (815)      (TRIBUNE)      ROGER, THIS IS CLEAR, WHAT KIND OF
                                FLAG IS IT?
      (815)      (TRIBUNE)      ROGER, THIS IS CLEAR.
      (815)      (TRIBUNE)      FIVE BY, REMAIN MEANWHILE IN WAITING,
                                AND WE'LL REPORT TO YOU IMMEDIATELY.
      (815)      (TRIBUNE)      THIS IS CLEAR.
      (815)      (TRIBUNE)      TAKE 810, AND RETURN HOME.
      (815)      (TRIBUNE)      ((COURSE)) 065, DISTANCE OF 65 MILES.
      (815)      (TRIBUNE)      ROGER, THIS IS CLEAR.
      (815)      (TRIBUNE)      ROGER, I RECEIVED, I WILL NOTIFY
                                YOU IMMEDIATELY AS TO WHAT TO DO.
      (815)      (TRIBUNE)      ROGER.
1316Z
      ---        (TRIBUNE)      PAY ATTENTION.
      815        TRIBUNE        ROGER, THIS IS CLEAR. ACCORDING
                                TO THE INSTRUCTION, WHOEVER HAS
                                THE 6OST [most] FUEL.
1317Z
      (815)      (TRIBUNE)      ROGER, I'M CHECKING ON IT.
      815        TRIBUNE        PAY ATTENTION: WHOEVER HAS THE
                                MOST FUEL BETWEEN YOU WILL RETURN
                                HOME, THE ONE WITH THE LEAST WILL
                                GO TO EL ARISH.
      815        TRIBUNE        NOT AT THE PRESENT TIME. QPPARENTLY [sic]
                                THE ONE WHO IS GOING TO EL ARISH
                                WILL RETURN LATER.
      (815)      (TRIBUNE)      QHICH [sic] ONE OF YOU IS GOING HOME?
      (815)      (TRIBUNE)      WHO IS GOING HOME?
      (815)      (TRIBUNE)      OK.
131?Z
      815        TRIBUNE        ROGER, THIS IS KNOWN. I RECEIVED
                                THE NOTICE AND IT'S KNOWN THAT
                                THESE ORDERS CAME FROM ABOVE.
1321Z
      ---        ---            GO OVER TO 170 ON THE WAY HOME.
      810        TRIBUNE        HE SAYS OVER TO 170 ON THE WAY HOME.
      (TRIBUNE)  (810)          ROGER
1327Z
      JEWEL      815            ((CALLS)) ((RPTS)).
      ((TR-NOTE: 815 CALLS JEWEL UNTIL 1328Z))
      ((END OF RADIO TELEPHONE CONVERSION))
COMMENT: THIS ACTIVITY HAD BEEN REPORTED IN A CONDENSED VERSION
         BY USA-556 IN ITS 2/J5 [deleted]/R23-67, 082015Z, AND FOLLOW-UPS.

Message displayed as Document 319 in the Department of State Foreign Relations of the United States, Johnson Administration, 1964-1968, Volume XIX, Arab-Israeli Crisis and War, 1967.

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