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USS Liberty incident

The USS Liberty incident was the 8 June 1967 attack on the United States Navy technical research ship USS Liberty by Israeli air and naval forces during the Six-Day War.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The USS Liberty incident was the 8 June 1967 attack on the United States Navy technical research ship USS Liberty by Israeli air and naval forces during the Six-Day War. The attack killed 34 U.S. personnel and wounded about 171 others, and the ship was severely damaged. Official U.S. and Israeli inquiries later concluded that the attack was a mistake caused by misidentification of the vessel.

Background

USS Liberty (AGTR-5) was a U.S. Navy technical research ship used for signals intelligence. In June 1967 it was operating in international waters off the Sinai Peninsula during the Six-Day War.

The attack

On 8 June 1967, Israeli Air Force jets and Israeli Navy motor torpedo boats attacked the ship. The assault caused deaths, injuries, and severe damage to the vessel.

Investigations and findings

U.S. and Israeli investigations both concluded that the attack was a tragic mistake caused by misidentification of the ship. Other accounts and later commentary have continued to dispute that conclusion.

Aftermath

The attack strained U.S.-Israeli relations at the time and became a subject of long-running controversy. USS Liberty was later decommissioned and sold for scrapping after being damaged beyond repair.

Key facts

  • USS Liberty was a U.S. Navy technical research ship conducting an intelligence mission in the Mediterranean in June 1967.
  • The ship was attacked by Israeli aircraft and torpedo boats on 8 June 1967 during the Six-Day War.
  • The attack killed 34 U.S. personnel, including sailors, two Marines, and one NSA civilian.
  • About 171 crew members were wounded, and the ship was heavily damaged.
  • Both Israeli and U.S. government inquiries later stated the attack resulted from confusion over the ship’s identity.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may encounter the incident in studies of the Six-Day War, U.S.-Middle East relations, and modern naval history.

Frequently asked questions

What was the USS Liberty incident?
It was the 8 June 1967 attack on USS Liberty by Israeli air and naval forces during the Six-Day War.
How many people were killed?
Thirty-four U.S. personnel were killed.
How many people were injured?
About 171 crew members were wounded.
Was USS Liberty a warship?
It was a U.S. Navy technical research ship used for signals intelligence, not a combat ship.
What did official inquiries conclude?
Official Israeli and U.S. inquiries concluded the attack was a mistake resulting from confusion about the ship’s identity.
Why is the incident still discussed?
It remains controversial because the attack involved allied nations and later interpretations of the event have differed.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Liberty_incident
    Supports: Basic event description, date, casualties, and official inquiry outcome
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/event/USS-Liberty-incident
    Supports: Event identification, date, participants, and casualty figures
  3. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command — https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/middle-east/six-day-war-liberty.html
    Supports: U.S. Navy account of the ship, attack, casualties, and operating area
  4. Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State — https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v19/d284
    Supports: Historical documentation that Liberty was attacked by Israeli aircraft and torpedo boats off the Sinai Peninsula on 8 June 1967
  5. EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/military-history-and-science/liberty-incident
    Supports: Summary of the attack, casualties, and the later controversy