Published - October, 23, 2007
Erin Gibson
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Frank Liberato was ready to spend some time at home when his Navy ship returned from the Mediterranean Sea in October 1962.
But the then-lieutenant commander quickly was informed his plans would have to wait.
"We were home for one whole week," said Liberato, who retired as a Captain. "And then they said there were missiles in Cuba."
On Tuesday, Liberato, 79, told his story of piloting an F8U-1P Photo Crusader aircraft on photo reconnaissance missions over Cuba from October to November 1962. The Pensacola native spoke at the National Museum of Naval Aviation during an event remembering the 45th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
"To say we were on the brink of nuclear war is no exaggeration," said Capt. Bob Rasmussen, museum director.
Liberato flew 28 missions collecting photos of nuclear missiles and other activity on the island nation of Cuba. In all, the Navy took 190,000 usable photos.
While there, Liberato received a Blue Moon order � the term for orders that came directly from President Kennedy � asking if he could determine the ranks of the Cuban soldiers.
"Being the person I am, I said 'Sure,'" he said. "But I had no idea."
He kept his word, flying over the missile site during mealtime � when soldiers of every rank were in line for food � to snap a picture.
"If the president gives you an order it�s probably hard to say no," said Amanda Patton, a freshman at Pensacola High School who is working on a history fair project about the crisis.
Photos from all missions were on Kennedy�s desk four hours after they were taken, Liberato said.
He knew the importance of his mission at the time, and now he enjoys sharing it with others.
"It�s something I can tell stories about,� he said. �And something I can feel very proud of."
Created on ... October 28, 2007