The New Hampshire House of Representatives Committee on State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs convened on January 24, 2025, to discuss the historical incident involving the USS Liberty, which was attacked by Israeli forces in 1967. The meeting featured testimonies from veterans who served on the ship, shedding light on their experiences during the attack and the subsequent investigations.

The session began with a detailed account from a former captain who served as senior legal counsel during the Navy's Court of Inquiry into the attack. He expressed concerns about the rushed nature of the investigation, which he believed was inadequate given the gravity of the incident. He highlighted that both he and Admiral Isaac Kidd, who presided over the inquiry, felt pressured to conclude that the attack was a case of mistaken identity, despite evidence suggesting otherwise. The captain recounted how they were ordered not to pursue interviews with Israeli personnel involved in the attack, indicating a potential cover-up orchestrated by higher authorities, including the Department of Defense.

Following this, several survivors of the USS Liberty shared their harrowing experiences during the attack. One veteran described the chaos as Israeli aircraft strafed the ship, recounting the immediate panic and the injuries sustained by crew members. He emphasized the clarity of the day and the unmistakable identification of the ship as American, noting that it bore clear markings. Another survivor corroborated this, stating that the attack was deliberate and that they had never been officially questioned about their experiences by the government.

The committee members engaged with the veterans, expressing gratitude for their service and bravery. They posed questions regarding the veterans' views on the federal government's handling of the incident and what they hoped to achieve through the formation of a state committee to investigate the matter further. The veterans unanimously expressed a desire for acknowledgment and an official apology from the federal government, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability regarding the attack.

As the meeting progressed, the committee recognized the importance of these testimonies in understanding the historical context and the implications of the attack on the USS Liberty. The discussions underscored the veterans' ongoing quest for truth and justice, as well as the need for a thorough examination of the events surrounding the incident.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the unresolved issues stemming from the USS Liberty attack and the veterans' calls for a comprehensive investigation. The committee's willingness to listen to these accounts marks a significant step toward addressing the historical grievances of those affected by the incident. The session concluded with a commitment to consider the formation of a study committee to further explore the implications of the attack and the government's response.