(WHSV) – Nearly 60 years ago on June 8, 1967, Israel attacked the USS Liberty during the Six-Day War between Israel and the Arab states of Egypt, Syria and Jordan.
The USS Liberty was in the international waters off the coast of the Gaza Strip when Israeli aircraft attacked the ship. When the ship attempted to radio for assistance, the Israeli aircraft blocked the transmissions.
Eventually, the ship made contact with the U.S. carrier Saratoga, and 12 fighter jets and four tankers were dispatched to defend the ship. However, when Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara learned of this, he ordered those planes and tankers to be recalled to the Saratoga. His reasoning for this has never been made clear, according to History.com.
Of the 294 crew members on board the USS Liberty, 34 were killed and 171 were wounded.
Copyright 2026 WHSV. All rights reserved.