The Navy vet was only 23-years old when his ship ... the USS Liberty was attacked by Israeli fighter jets. 34 crewmembers were killed, 170 others injured. During the two-hour attack Halbardier fixed an antenna that was shot down and sent out a signal for help.

The June 8th 1967 attack is widely controversial because Israel was the U.S.'s ally during the war. President Lyndon Johnson declared it an "accident" but those aboard are certain the attack was deliberate.

"There's a lot of theories but let's just say they didn't want us listening in to what they wanted to do," said Halbardier.

"The government has kept this quiet I think for too long and I felt as my constituent he needed to get recognized for the services he made to this country," said Nunes.