Killed by an attack of Israel on the USS Liberty.
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Stephen Spencer Toth (NSN: 669613/1100), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Intelligence Officer on board the U.S.S. LIBERTY (AGTR-5), in action in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea on 8 June 1967. During the early afternoon hours, LIBERTY was attacked without warning by jet fighter aircraft and three motor torpedo boats. Subjected to intense incendiary, machine-gun, and rocket fire, and placed in extreme jeopardy by a torpedo hit below the waterline on the starboard side, LIBERTY sustained numerous personnel casualties and severe structural damage. Serving as Intelligence Officer, Lieutenant Toth was on the starboard wing of the flying bridge, 04 level, when the first strafing attack occurred. It became a vital matter to quickly establish the national identity of the aircraft initiating the attack in order to inform higher authority. Lieutenant Toth courageously exposed himself to overwhelmingly accurate rocket and machine-gun fire to obtain this data. While he was thus engaged in this task, he was fatally injured when a violent explosion on the starboard side of the bridge hurled him to the 01 level of the ship. Lieutenant Toth's aggressiveness, composure under fire, and inspiring leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Killed by an attack of Israel on the USS Liberty.
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Stephen Spencer Toth (NSN: 669613/1100), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Intelligence Officer on board the U.S.S. LIBERTY (AGTR-5), in action in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea on 8 June 1967. During the early afternoon hours, LIBERTY was attacked without warning by jet fighter aircraft and three motor torpedo boats. Subjected to intense incendiary, machine-gun, and rocket fire, and placed in extreme jeopardy by a torpedo hit below the waterline on the starboard side, LIBERTY sustained numerous personnel casualties and severe structural damage. Serving as Intelligence Officer, Lieutenant Toth was on the starboard wing of the flying bridge, 04 level, when the first strafing attack occurred. It became a vital matter to quickly establish the national identity of the aircraft initiating the attack in order to inform higher authority. Lieutenant Toth courageously exposed himself to overwhelmingly accurate rocket and machine-gun fire to obtain this data. While he was thus engaged in this task, he was fatally injured when a violent explosion on the starboard side of the bridge hurled him to the 01 level of the ship. Lieutenant Toth's aggressiveness, composure under fire, and inspiring leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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