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Title: William Loren McGonagle papers
Date (inclusive): 1947-1999
Collection Number: 99046
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
10 manuscript boxes
(4.2 Linear Feet)
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
Creator:
McGonagle, William Loren, 1925-1999
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
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.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1999
[Identification of item], William Loren McGonagle papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives
| 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 |
Scope and Content of Collection
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.
The collection is organized into 4 series: Biographical File, United States Navy File, Photographs and Negatives, and 1/4-Inch
Sound Tape Reel
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Israel-Arab War, 1967 -- Naval operations
United States -- Armed Forces -- Mediterranean Sea
United States -- Foreign relations -- Israel
Israel -- Foreign relations -- United States
Officers
Liberty (Ship)
United States. Navy