For the Scottish poet see William McGonagall William Topaz McGonagall (1825–September 29, 1902) was a weaver, actor, and poet. ...

William Loren McGonagle (November 19, 1925 -- March 3, 1999) was a United States Naval officer in command of the USS Liberty when he was attacked by the Israel Defense Force. He was awarded a Medal of Honor for his service during the attack. November 19 is the 323rd day of the year (324th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... March 3 is the 62nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (63rd in leap years). ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... Note that this article deals with only the undisputed facts regarding USS Liberty. ... The USS Liberty incident was an attack on a U.S. Navy intelligence ship, USS Liberty (AGTR-5), in international waters approximately 12. ... The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) (Hebrew: צבא ההגנה לישראל Tsva Ha-Haganah Le-Yisrael ([Army] Force [for] the Defense of Israel), often abbreviated צהל Tsahal, alternative English spelling Tzahal, is the name of Israels armed forces (army, air force and navy). ... The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. ...

He was born in Wichita, Kansas and enlisted in the Navy in 1944. He attended a three years Navy training program at the University of Southern California, before becoming a Navy officer. He took command of the Liberty in April 1966. Nickname: Air Capital Motto: {{{motto}}} Official website: http://www. ... The University of Southern California (also known as USC, SC, Southern California and Southern Cal), Californias oldest private research university, is located in the urban center of Los Angeles, California. ...

His Medal of Honor citation reads: The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. ...

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer, USS Liberty (AGTR-5) in the Eastern Mediterranean on 8-9 June 1967. Sailing in international waters, the Liberty was attacked without warning by jet fighter aircraft and motor torpedo boats which inflicted many casualties among the crew and caused extreme damage to the ship. Although severely wounded during the first air attack, Captain (then Commander) McGonagle remained at his battle station on the badly damaged bridge and, with full knowledge of the seriousness of his wounds, subordinated his own welfare to the safety and survival of his command. Steadfastly refusing any treatment which would take him away from his post, he calmly continued to exercise firm command of his ship. Despite continuous exposure to fire, he maneuvered his ship, directed its defense, supervised the control of flooding and fire, and saw to the care of the casualties. Captain McGonagle's extraordinary valor under these conditions inspired the surviving members of the Liberty's crew, many of them seriously wounded, to heroic efforts to overcome the battle damage and keep the ship afloat. Subsequent to the attack, although in great pain and weak from the loss of blood, Captain McGonagle remained at his battle station and continued to conn his ship for more than seventeen hours. It was only after rendezvous with a United States destroyer that he relinquished personal control of the Liberty and permitted himself to be removed from the bridge. Even then, he refused much needed medical attention until convinced that the seriously wounded among his crew had been treated. Captain McGonagle's superb professionalism, courageous fighting spirit, and valiant leadership saved his ship and many lives. His actions sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

His was the only medal of honor not to be awarded by the president, but the secretary of the Navy. Note that this article deals with only the undisputed facts regarding USS Liberty. ... The Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea positioned between Europe to the north, Africa to the south and Asia to the east, covering an approximate area of 2. ... A torpedo boat is a relatively small and fast naval ship designed to launch torpedoes at larger surface ships. ... USS Lassen, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet or battle group and defend them against smaller, short-range attackers (originally torpedo boats, later submarines and aircraft). ... Leadership can refer both to the process of leading, and to those entities that do the leading. ... The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ...

External links

• Navy Historical Center