The Independent Commission of Inquiry
into the Israeli Attack on the USS Liberty

Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

The distinguished naval career of Admiral Thomas H. Moorer spanned 41 years. Following his Graduation from the Naval Academy in 1933, he became a Navy pilot, a war hero, and a ship’s captain. On December 7, 1941, as a naval aviator, Lieutenant Moorer was one of the first pilots off the ground following the attack on Pearl Harbor. A hero of the Battle of Midway, his numerous decorations for valor during WWII include the Silver Star and Purple Heart. In 1957, Moorer was promoted to the rank of Admiral. In 1965, he broke new ground, becoming the only American admiral to have ever commanded both our Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. He later served as Chief of Naval Operations, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The F-14 Tomcat, the Navy’s main fighter for many years, was named for Admiral Moorer. Following his retirement in 1974, Admiral Moorer served on the boards of many American corporations, and was a tireless advocate for American veterans. Working with Admiral Arleigh Burke (CNO), Admiral Moorer was instrumental in establishing the United States Navy Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. At the time of his death he was the Chairman of the Liberty Alliance, an organization dedicated to obtaining an honest investigation of Israel’s attack on the USS Liberty and the official cover-up that followed. He passed away on February 5, 2004.

General of Marines Raymond G. Davis (MOH)

General Davis, one of America’s most decorated heroes, passed away on September 3, 2003. As a combat veteran of three wars and a dedicated member of the Marine Corps for 34 years, General Davis received the Congressional Medal of Honor — the nation’s highest award for valor — as well as the Navy Cross, two Distinguished Service Medals, two Silver Stars, two Legion of Merit awards, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. General Davis was renowned for his exploits in the Pacific during WWII, as a battalion and regimental commander during the Korean War, and as Commanding General of the 3rd Marine Division in Viet Nam. Attaining four-star rank in 1971, Davis served as Assistant Commandant of the Corps before retiring in 1972. A strong proponent of veterans’ issues, General Davis served as chairman of the advisory board to the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., dedicated in 1995. Prior to his death, General Davis served as Vice Chairman of the Liberty Alliance and was a principal member of the Commission of Inquiry into the cover-up of the attack on the USS Liberty.

Rear Admiral Merlin Staring, former Judge Advocate General of the Navy

Merlin Staring’s distinguished naval career, which spanned nearly 25 years, began as an ensign in December 1941. Among his numerous decorations, Admiral Staring was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. In June of 1967, Staring served as Staff Legal Officer to Admiral John S. McCain, Jr., the Commander-in-chief, US Naval Forces Europe (CINCUSNAVEUR) in London, which encompassed the Mediterranean, and was assigned to review the record of the Navy Court of Inquiry’s investigation into the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty. Admiral Staring later served as the Navy’s legal advisor to Secretaries of the Navy Paul R. Ignatius and John H. Chafee. Attaining the rank of Rear Admiral 1972, he was appointed Judge Advocate General of the Navy, the Navy’s chief attorney, a position he held through 1975. Currently, Admiral Staring is Treasurer and a director of the Liberty Alliance.

Ambassador James Akins, former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

James Akins served his country for 25 years as a distinguished member of the diplomatic corps. From 1963-1965, he served as an attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, and later as the U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia during the Nixon administration. An internationally respected expert on the Middle East and energy issues, Ambassador Akins has been an active and outspoken proponent for a just resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict. He is a respected and highly sought speaker and analyst on the Middle East peace process as well as Arab politics in general. Author Jeans-Jacques Servan Schreiber called Ambassador Akins "the westerner who knows the most about the Middle East and has the closest relationship of trust with its leaders." Ambassador Akins is a director of the Liberty Alliance.

Read the findings of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty here.