On June 8, 1967, the USS Liberty, a US Navy intelligence ship, was unexpectedly and savagely attacked by Israeli air and naval forces while navigating international waters. Despite being fully aware that they were targeting an American vessel, Israeli forces proceeded with the assault and subsequently fabricated accounts of the incident. For decades, survivors were prohibited from sharing their experiences under oath with the American public. This USS Liberty Memorial website aims to honor the memory of the 34 courageous men who lost their lives and to tell the survivors’ untold stories.
The USS Liberty was meticulously monitored for over nine hours by Israeli aircraft and radar, with almost hourly overflights. Identified as a US naval ship well before the attack, it was tracked consistently by Israeli reconnaissance. Despite the ship’s non-threatening position—sailing at less than five knots in international waters and devoid of offensive weaponry—the Israeli forces launched their attack without any warning or attempt at communication.
The surprise assault resulted in the deaths of 34 American crew members and injuries to 174 others. The state-of-the-art signals intelligence platform, valued at $40 million, was eventually deemed unsalvageable and sold for scrap. This memorial serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost and the enduring quest for truth and justice.
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