William Loren McGonagle papers, 1947-1999

Printable guide [HTML]
Request items

Summary

Creators:
McGonagle, William Loren, 1925-1999
Abstract:
The William L. McGonagle collection describes the devastation caused by the Israeli naval and air attack on the American naval intelligence ship Liberty on June 8, 1967, and the honors and citations bestowed on him for heroism and sacrifice. Materials include correspondence, reports, orders, personnel records, writings, printed matter, and photographs
Extent:
10 manuscript boxes (4.2 Linear Feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], William Loren McGonagle papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives

Background

Scope and content:

The William McGonagle papers narrate the story of the Israeli naval and air attack on the American naval intelligence ship USS Liberty on June 8, 1967. Materials consist of correspondence, reports, orders, personnel records, writings, printed matter, and photographs relating to the incident.

The central theme of the papers is the incident on USS Liberty. The surprise Israeli attack on the U.S. ship, the damages on the ship, loss of lives, and serious injuries produced an outcry all over the world. The heroic effort made by William McGonagle to save his shipmates earned him the Medal of Honor and citations as well as the respect of the United States Navy and beyond.

The United States Navy File contains general information about the Navy and William McGonagle's personal files. The files record William McGonagle's assignments, including the USS Liberty, USS Kilauea, and JUSMAG Philippines. The USS Liberty records include numerous photographs which present a picture of the destruction and injuries.

In addition, there are two 1/4-inch sound tape reels that contain information about the USS Liberty and an interview.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1925 Nov. 19
Born, Wichita, Kansas
1942 Sept. - 1944 June
Graduated, Coachella Valley Union High School, Indio, California
1944 July - 1945 Nov.
Student, University of Redlands, Redlands, California
1947 June
A.B. in History, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
1947-1950
Served in the destroyer USS Frank Knox and minesweeper USS Partridge and served in the minesweeper USS Kite during the Korean War
1947 June
Commissioned, in the rank of Ensign
1951 Sept. - Dec.
U.S. Naval School (Electronics), San Francisco, California
1952 Jan. - 1953 July
U.S. Naval Advance Base, Bremerhaven, Germany
1959 Jan. - 1961 June
Assistant Professor of Naval Science, Naval Weapons, Leadership, and Naval Operations
1959 June - 1961 June
B.S. in Education, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
1963 July 1
Promoted to Commander
1966 April - 1967 Sept.
Commanding Officer of the technical research ship USS Liberty
1967 June 8
Israeli naval and air attack on the American naval intelligence ship USS Liberty; Received Purple Heart and Medal of Honor
1967 Oct.
Led the NROTC Unit at the University of Oklahoma
Commanded the new ammunition ship Kilauea
Promoted to the rank of Captain,
1969 Aug. - 1971 May
Awarded meritorious Service Medal (Gold Star in lieu of Award)
Commanding Officer and Professor of Naval Science, Chief Navy Division
1974 Aug. 1
Retired from active duty
1999 Mar. 3
Died, Palm Springs, California
Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1999
Arrangement:

The collection is organized into 4 series: Biographical File, United States Navy File, Photographs and Negatives, and 1/4-Inch Sound Tape Reel

Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], William Loren McGonagle papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563
hooverarchives@stanford.edu
Website