A Shocking Attack in the Middle of a War
On June 8, 1967, something happened that has never happened again. A U.S. Navy ship was attacked—not by an enemy—but by a country considered a close friend: Israel.
The ship was called the USS Liberty. It was sailing in international waters, not near any war zone. And yet, Israeli planes and boats launched a surprise attack that killed 34 American sailors and injured 171 more.
Why Was the USS Liberty There?
At that time, the Six-Day War was going on between Israel and several Arab countries: Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. The U.S. was watching closely, worried that the war might grow bigger because of Cold War tensions.
The USS Liberty was a spy ship, gathering information for the U.S. government. It was clearly marked as an American ship, flying a large U.S. flag. It was not a combat ship—it had no real weapons to defend itself.
The Attack: A Deadly Mistake?
On that afternoon, Israeli fighter jets flew over the Liberty. They first circled the ship and reportedly identified it as American. But soon after, they opened fire—firing guns, rockets, and dropping napalm.
Then, Israeli torpedo boats joined in. One torpedo hit the side of the ship, making a giant hole. The crew did everything they could to keep the ship from sinking.
Israel’s Explanation
After the attack, Israel said it was a mistake. They claimed they thought the ship was an Egyptian military ship. They apologized and said they never meant to harm Americans.
The U.S. government under President Lyndon B. Johnson accepted the apology. Investigations were done, but the official line was that it was an accident.
However, many of the ship’s survivors didn’t believe that.
Survivors Speak Out
Survivors said the ship was easy to identify. It had U.S. markings, flew a big American flag, and looked nothing like an Egyptian ship.
Some even claimed the Israeli forces jammed their radios so they couldn’t call for help.
Books like Assault on the Liberty by James Ennes Jr., a survivor, argue that the attack was not a mistake—but a deliberate act. Why? That part remains a mystery.
A One-of-a-Kind Event in History
This was the only time a U.S. Navy ship was attacked with so many casualties by a friendly nation. Even during wars and complex alliances, this kind of incident has never happened again.
Unlike other naval tragedies like the USS Cole bombing (2000), this attack came from a close ally, making it more painful and complicated.
Remembering the Lost
Today, the USS Liberty is remembered quietly. There’s a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, and a few websites share survivor stories and documents, like the USS Liberty Veterans Association and the NSA archives.
But overall, it remains a forgotten tragedy—a moment when friends became attackers, and when diplomacy covered up what could have been a much bigger crisis.
