Dirty Secrets: The Israeli Attack on the USS Liberty

By Joe Marzo

Introduction

The attack on the USS Liberty on June 8, 1967, by Israeli forces is a stark reminder of the horrors of wartime misidentifications—or perhaps more sinister motives. This incident occurred during the Six-Day War, a conflict fought between Israel and the neighboring states of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. The Liberty, a U.S. Navy technical research ship, was operating in international waters in the Eastern Mediterranean, approximately 25 miles northwest of the Sinai Peninsula, conducting surveillance. What was supposed to be a routine mission quickly turned into a nightmare for the crew when the ship came under an unprovoked and brutal assault by Israeli fighter jets and torpedo boats.

The official Israeli explanation for the attack was that it was a tragic case of mistaken identity. They claimed that the Liberty had been misidentified as an Egyptian vessel, the El Quseir. However, this explanation is dubious at best. Multiple factors cast serious doubt on the claim that Israeli forces could not correctly identify the USS Liberty, a clearly marked American vessel.

First, the Liberty was a large ship, flying a prominent American flag and bearing distinct markings that identified it as a U.S. Navy vessel. The hull number, GTR-5, was clearly visible. Additionally, the ship's unique profile, including its array of electronic surveillance equipment, should have distinguished it from any Egyptian vessel.

Throughout the day of the attack, Israeli reconnaissance aircraft flew over the Liberty multiple times. These flyovers should have provided ample opportunity to recognize the ship’s American identity. Moreover, the Liberty's distress calls, which were eventually sent despite initial jamming, identified it as a U.S. Navy ship. These communications were likely intercepted by the Israeli forces. Furthermore, the torpedo boats came close enough to the Liberty to see its markings and flag before launching their deadly assault.

The intensity and duration of the attack further deepen the doubts about the Israeli explanation. The assault lasted around 75 minutes, involving both aerial and naval elements.

The initial strikes by Mirage III fighter jets targeted the ship’s communication equipment, followed by a napalm bombing by Super Mystere jets. The torpedo boats then launched a torpedo that caused significant damage, followed by machine gun fire aimed at the crew. This coordinated and sustained attack suggests a level of deliberation and intent that is difficult to reconcile with the idea of a simple misidentification.

The U.S. government’s reaction was a mix of outrage, confusion, and strategic diplomacy. While President Lyndon B. Johnson and his administration were initially furious and demanded answers, the need to maintain a strategic alliance with Israel during the Cold War influenced their response. The U.S. Navy’s court of inquiry concluded that the attack was a case of mistaken identity, but acknowledged the significant failures in the identification process by Israeli forces.

On the Israeli side, the government quickly issued an apology and offered compensation, maintaining that the attack was a tragic mistake. Despite this, various theories have emerged over the years regarding the true motivations behind the attack. Some suggest that Israel was concerned about the Liberty intercepting sensitive communications during the war. Others propose more conspiratorial explanations, such as attempting to draw the U.S. into the conflict through a false flag operation, or preventing American interference in their military operations.

This article explores the brutal details of the attack on the USS Liberty, the multiple missed opportunities for identification by Israeli forces, and the aftermath of this tragic event. It delves into the official narratives, the reactions from both the U.S. and Israeli governments, and the various theories that have emerged, providing a comprehensive analysis of one of the most controversial incidents in U.S.-Israel relations.

Brutality of the Attack

The attack on the USS Liberty was both intense and relentless, lasting around 75 minutes. It was a terrifying experience for the crew, who faced continuous and brutal assaults from both the air and sea.

Aerial Assault

Initial Strikes:

• At around 2 PM, Israeli Mirage III fighter jets began the assault, strafing the ship with machine guns and rockets. The attack was sudden, catching the crew off guard.

• The planes targeted the ship’s communication equipment, initially crippling its ability to send distress signals.

Napalm Bombing:

• Following the initial strafing, the Liberty was hit by napalm bombs dropped by Super Mystere fighter jets. Napalm, a highly flammable and sticky gel, caused devastating fires on the deck, leading to severe burns and injuries among the crew. The intense heat and flames added to the chaos and horror.

Naval Assault

Torpedo Attack:

• After the aerial assault, three Israeli torpedo boats approached the Liberty. Despite the crew's efforts to signal their American identity, one of the torpedo boats launched a torpedo.

• The torpedo struck the Liberty amidships, causing a massive explosion that tore through the hull. The explosion created a 39-foot-wide hole, flooding the lower decks and killing many sailors instantly.
  

Machine Gun Fire:

• The torpedo boats continued to circle the Liberty, firing machine guns at the crew attempting to fight the fires and tend to the wounded. The gunfire was directed at life rafts and crew members trying to escape the flames, leaving them with no option but to endure the attack.

Casualties and Damage

• The attack resulted in the deaths of 34 American crew members, including sailors, marines, and NSA civilians. An additional 171 were wounded, some grievously.

• The ship itself was left heavily damaged, with extensive structural damage and severe internal devastation. The medical staff on board worked tirelessly under fire to tend to the wounded, despite being overwhelmed by the sheer number of injuries.

Opportunities for Identification

Despite the ferocity of the attack, the Israeli forces had multiple opportunities to correctly identify the USS Liberty as an American vessel. The following points highlight the significant chances for identification that were missed or ignored:

Reconnaissance Flights

Early on the day of the attack, Israeli reconnaissance aircraft flew over the Liberty multiple times. The ship was flying the American flag, and its hull number (GTR-5) was clearly visible. The flyovers should have provided ample opportunity to recognize the vessel's American identity.

Ship's Markings

The Liberty was flying a large American flag, and its name and identification numbers were prominently displayed on the hull. These markings were standard for U.S. Navy ships and should have been recognizable to the Israeli pilots and naval officers.

Interception and Jamming

The Liberty's initial distress calls were jammed, preventing immediate communication. However, the ship eventually managed to send out a distress signal, identifying itself as a U.S. Navy vessel. The Israeli forces could have intercepted these communications and verified the ship's identity before continuing the attack.

Proximity to the Vessel in Naval Engagement

The torpedo boats came close enough to the Liberty to see the ship's markings and flag. Despite this proximity, they proceeded with the attack, including the launching of a torpedo.

Post-Attack Identification

After the attack, when the Israeli forces finally realized their mistake, they ceased fire and offered assistance. However, this recognition came far too late for the many who had already suffered and died.

The U.S. Reaction

The American reaction to the attack was a mix of outrage, confusion, and a swift push for damage control:

Immediate Response:

President Lyndon B. Johnson and his administration were initially furious upon learning about the attack and the high number of American casualties. A formal diplomatic protest was lodged against Israel, and an investigation was promptly initiated.

Public and Political Reactions:

The incident provoked significant public and political outcry in the United States. Many members of Congress demanded a thorough investigation, and there were calls for accountability and answers as to why an American ship had been attacked by a close ally.

Investigations:

The U.S. Navy conducted a court of inquiry, which concluded that the attack was a case of mistaken identity, though it acknowledged the severity and the significant failures in Israeli identification processes.

Diplomatic Measures:

Despite the outrage, the U.S. administration moved quickly to maintain its strategic relationship with Israel. Diplomatic efforts focused on mending ties, emphasizing the importance of the U.S.-Israel alliance in the context of the Cold War.

The Israeli Reaction

Israel’s response to the attack involved a combination of immediate acknowledgment, apology, and defense:

Apology:

The Israeli government quickly issued an official apology for the attack, expressing deep regret for the loss of life and the injuries sustained by American servicemen. Israel offered compensation to the families of the victims and to the U.S. government for the damage to the ship.

Explanation:

Israel maintained that the attack was a tragic mistake, attributing it to the confusion of war and the misidentification of the Liberty as an Egyptian vessel. The Israeli investigation highlighted the intense pressure and rapid decision-making required during wartime operations.

Compensation:

Israel eventually paid $6.7 million in compensation to the families of the American servicemen who were killed and $6 million to the U.S. government for the damage to the Liberty. In 1980, they paid an additional $6 million to cover claims related to the incident.

Theories on Why Israel Attacked the USS Liberty

The attack on the USS Liberty has given rise to several theories regarding the motivations behind Israel's actions. These theories range from simple misidentification to more complex and controversial explanations:

1. Mistaken Identity: The official Israeli stance is that the attack was a tragic mistake. The Liberty was misidentified as the Egyptian freighter El Quseir in the heat of battle, and the attack was carried out under the erroneous belief that the ship posed a threat.

2. Preemptive Espionage: One theory suggests that Israel was concerned about the Liberty intercepting sensitive communications related to their military operations during the Six-Day War. Fearing that the intelligence gathered by the Liberty could be shared with the Arab states or the United States, Israel might have decided to neutralize the ship to protect their strategic advantage.

3. Drawing the U.S. into the Conflict: A more conspiratorial theory posits that the attack was a deliberate attempt to create a false flag operation. By attacking the Liberty and blaming it on Arab forces, Israel hoped to galvanize American support and draw the U.S. directly into the conflict. However, this theory is weakened by Israel’s immediate acknowledgment and apology for the attack.

4. Preventing U.S. Interference: Another theory suggests that Israel wanted to prevent the United States from intervening diplomatically or militarily in the Six-Day War. By disabling the Liberty, Israel could continue their operations without the risk of American interference or pressure to cease hostilities.

Conclusion

The attack on the USS Liberty was a brutal and tragic incident, marked by significant loss of life and severe injuries to American servicemen. Despite multiple opportunities for identification, the Israeli forces failed to recognize the ship as American, leading to a sustained and devastating assault. The U.S. reaction combined outrage with strategic diplomacy, while Israel quickly moved to apologize and offer compensation.

Theories about the motivations behind the attack range from simple misidentification to complex strategic calculations, and the incident remains a deeply controversial chapter in U.S.-Israel relations. As historians and survivors continue to seek answers, the legacy of the USS Liberty endures as a reminder of the complexities and dangers inherent in military operations and international relations.

References

Books and Official Reports:

U.S. Navy Court of Inquiry. (1967). Investigation of the attack on USS Liberty (AGTR-5) on 8 June 1967. Department of the Navy.

Articles:

Ennes, J. (1980). Assault on the Liberty: The True Story of the Israeli Attack on an American Intelligence Ship. Random House.

Bamford, J. (2001). Body of Secrets: Anatomy of the Ultra-Secret National Security Agency. Doubleday.

Online Sources:

National Security Agency. (2003). Liberty Incident: NSA Archive, Part I: Attack on the USS Liberty. Retrieved from https://www.nsa.gov/news-features/declassified-documents/uss-liberty/

Oren, M. B. (2000). The USS Liberty: Case Closed. Azure, (Spring 2000). Retrieved from https://azure.org.il/article.php?id=258

Government Documents:

Central Intelligence Agency. (1967). The Liberty Incident. CIA Historical Review Program.

Journal Articles:

Cristol, J. B. (2002). The Liberty Incident: The 1967 Attack on the U.S. Navy Spy Ship. Naval Institute Press.