Some libbers thru the years have alleged the Pueblo wasn't armed so they didn't have a chance to fight. Not true. It's not a destroyer or an aircraft carrier but, according to what my cousin told me in the 80's, they had deck guns and weapons and side-arms. And they were more than willing to fight back. But they were over-ruled by distant and faceless political cowards. They wasted precious minutes and hours destroying DUTY ROSTERS and let the Commies have the most sensitive information and equipment.
Again, I'm not kidding. They burned or shredded or destroyed in some manner piles and piles of personnel records because they were easily-accessible -- while the officers in charge pretty much ignored the suggestions of the experienced enlisted folks who knew what was important and where it was.
They were in the ocean for God's sake!! They could've just started throwing spy equipment over the damn side . . . at least making the Commies get wet before they stole our secrets. One particular officer was freaking out and yelling and scrambling around like an Ethiopian dog after a bone so . . . they destroyed f'ing duty rosters.
A sad commentary. The crew was ill-trained and poorly led and their civilian leaders had play-doh spines.
He felt guilty for the rest of his life. And it still pi$$es me off.