EP#393 | GUEST | The USS Liberty: Moe Shafer was there. June 8, 1967.

📄 Episode Overview

In Episode #393 of the Deep Shallow Dive, host Ray Doustdar welcomes Moe Schaefer, a survivor of the infamous 1967 USS Liberty incident. This powerful episode takes listeners deep into the firsthand account of Moe, who served as a third-class petty officer and communications technician aboard the USS Liberty when it was attacked. While the ship's story has long been shrouded in silence and controversy, Moe's harrowing narrative sheds new light on the events of June 8, 1967—from the covert intelligence operations on board, to the devastating assault, and the massive cover-up that followed. Schaefer's retelling is marked by both emotional intensity and precise recollection, offering an indispensable oral history of one of the most significant and least understood military events in U.S. history. This episode is a tribute to the lives lost, the truth obscured, and the voices that refuse to be silenced.

🌟 Key Takeaways

• Moe Schaefer served as a CT on the USS Liberty, with top-secret clearance. • The attack on the Liberty was deliberate, not a case of mistaken identity. • The crew was sworn to secrecy for decades under threat of imprisonment.

🧠 Summary

This episode opens with Moe Schaefer recounting his early days—a young man escaping a troubled home in West Virginia by joining the Navy, ultimately becoming a cryptologic technician, or "spook," within the Naval Security Group. He details the USS Liberty's role as a Cold War-era intelligence ship, equipped with sophisticated gear and tasked with intercepting global communications. When the Liberty found itself off the coast of the Sinai Peninsula during the Six-Day War, its crew had no idea they were sailing into one of the most controversial military engagements in American history.

Moe describes June 8, 1967, in haunting detail. What began as a sunny day marked by overhead Israeli reconnaissance flights soon turned catastrophic when those same jets returned—this time armed. Without warning, the Liberty was strafed, napalmed, and ultimately struck by a torpedo that tore a massive hole in the hull, killing 25 of Moe’s fellow CTs and nearly taking his life as well. Moe recounts escaping the submerged intelligence room, helping the wounded, and witnessing the devastation firsthand. Most shockingly, he describes how Israeli forces fired on life rafts—a clear war crime—and how the crew received only a single radioed message during the attack: "Help is on the way."

The broader implications are staggering. Moe reveals that U.S. aircraft were launched in response—some armed with nuclear weapons—but were recalled just minutes before potential escalation. He explains how survivors were later threatened with prison if they spoke out and how the official explanation of "mistaken identity" rings hollow. Over 50 years later, Moe continues to advocate for recognition, accountability, and justice, as he reflects on divine intervention, survivor's guilt, and the enduring pain of silence.

This episode isn’t just a retelling—it’s a historical reckoning. It forces listeners to confront uncomfortable truths about power, deception, and the lives caught in between. If you think you know the USS Liberty story, think again.

🔎 Practical Tips

• Never underestimate the long-term trauma of unacknowledged military service. • Question official narratives, especially when firsthand evidence contradicts them. • Recognize the role of divine timing and human resilience in moments of crisis.

📚 Research Spotlight

"Sacrificing Liberty" Documentary on Rumble — A four-part docuseries featuring interviews with survivors like Moe and Phil Tourney, providing comprehensive visual and testimonial documentation of the attack and its aftermath.

❓ FAQ

Q: Who is Moe Schaefer?
A: Moe Schaefer is a USS Liberty survivor and former Navy cryptologic technician who shares his firsthand account of the 1967 attack.

Q: What happened to the USS Liberty on June 8, 1967?
A: The ship was attacked by Israeli forces during the Six-Day War, resulting in 34 deaths and 174 injuries among its crew.

Q: Was the USS Liberty attack a mistake?
A: According to Moe and many survivors, the attack was deliberate. The official U.S. stance of "mistaken identity" is widely disputed.

Q: Why didn’t the U.S. retaliate?
A: Aircraft were launched in response, including nuclear-armed jets, but were recalled minutes before engagement, possibly to avoid global escalation.

Q: Why was the incident kept secret for so long?
A: Survivors were ordered not to speak under threat of court-martial, and political concerns led to a long-standing cover-up.

⏱️ Chapters & Timestamps

• 00:00 – Opening & Welcome
• 01:19 – Moe's background and enlistment
• 06:15 – Life aboard the USS Liberty pre-attack
• 14:51 – Arrival near Sinai during Six-Day War
• 22:06 – The attack begins: jets overhead
• 26:54 – Torpedo strike and underwater survival
• 35:40 – Aftermath and escape
• 43:42 – Why they didn’t sink the Liberty
• 49:15 – U.S. nuclear response and recall
• 54:01 – Cleanup, trauma, and cover-up
• 1:02:41 – Advocacy, healing, and final thoughts

🤍 Final Thought

The story of the USS Liberty is not just history—it's a cautionary tale about truth, sacrifice, and the cost of silence.

🌍 External Resources

• Sacrificing Liberty Documentary (Rumble)
• USS Liberty Veterans Association

⚙️ SEO Settings

Meta Title: USS Liberty Survivor Moe Schaefer Speaks Out | DSD Ep 393
Meta Description: USS Liberty survivor Moe Schaefer recounts the 1967 attack, cover-up, and aftermath. Hear his story on DSD Episode 393.
Suggested Tags & Keywords: USS Liberty, Moe Schaefer, Israeli attack 1967, false flag, Navy survivor story, Six-Day War, Deep Shallow Dive podcast

📢 Social Sharing Snippet

“"Help is on the way" – but it never came. Survivor Moe Schaefer breaks the USS Liberty silence. A must-listen. #DSDep393” – Click to Tweet

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