USS Liberty

1967

Six-Day War, Israeli aircraft and torpedo boats Location: Eastern Mediterranean, off the northern Sinai · Coordinates: 31.35°N 33.35°E · Casualties: 34 · Survivors: 171 · Depth: survived · later scrapped · Cause: aerial and torpedo attack — Attacked by Israeli Mirage III and Mystère aircraft and three Israeli torpedo boats in international waters off the Sinai on 8 June 1967, the fourth day of the Six-Day War. Thirty-five minutes of aircraft attack followed by thirty minutes of torpedo-boat attack. One torpedo struck her starboard side in the NSA compartment. · Fate: repaired · scrapped 1973 · Type: technical research ship · U.S. Navy · Tonnage: 7,725 tons · Crew: 294 · Flag: United States · Launched: 1945 American technical research ship (a converted Liberty cargo ship), intercepting signals in international waters off the northern Sinai during the Six-Day War. Attacked by Israeli aircraft and torpedo boats for approximately 75 minutes on 8 June 1967 despite a clearly displayed American flag and distinctive hull markings. 34 dead, 171 wounded, the largest single-day loss of U.S. Navy life to hostile action since 1945. Israel claimed mistaken identity and paid compensation; survivors and researchers have disputed that explanation ever since. The Vessel USS Liberty (AGTR-5) was an American auxiliary general-technical research ship of the United States Navy, built at the Oregon Ship Building Corporation yard at Portland, Oregon in 1945 as the Liberty ship SS Simmons Victory and converted to a US Navy technical research ship in 1964. She was 138 metres long, 7,725 tons displacement, and unarmed except for four 50-calibre machine guns for self-defence. Her specific operational role was signals intelligence (SIGINT) collection: her interior spaces had been fitted with extensive electronic equipment for the interception and analysis of foreign military communications. The technical research ship designation was a specific US Navy cover for intelligence-collection operations conducted by the National Security Agency (NSA). Liberty and her sister-ships were operated by the US Navy but conducted missions assigned by NSA; the specific communications intercepted by the ships were relayed to NSA for analysis. Her specific intelligence-collection capability was substantial: approximately 25 specialised radio-frequency receivers; extensive cryptographic equipment; and a complement including approximately 100 intelligence specialists (cryptologic technicians, signals analysts) in addition to the standard ship's complement. Her master on her final voyage was Commander William L. McGonagle, 42, a career US Navy officer. Her complement on 8 June 1967 was 294 personnel: approximately 195 standard ship's crew (officers and enlisted naval perso The Disaster At approximately 13:58 on 8 June 1967, Israeli Dassault Mirage III fighter aircraft from the Israeli Air Force's Ramat David Air Base arrived at Liberty's position. The specific attack commenced at approximately 14:00 on 8 June 1967 with strafing runs by the Israeli aircraft. The specific aircraft attack continued for approximately 25 minutes. The Israeli aircraft delivered: approximately 800 rounds of 30-millimetre cannon fire; 4 250-kilogram bombs; approximately 12 unguided rockets; and multiple napalm canisters. The specific attack damage was substantial: the ship's bridge was repeatedly damaged; multiple fires broke out on the upper decks; approximately 70 crew members were killed or wounded by the aerial attack. Following the aerial attack, three Israeli Navy torpedo boats (Mivtach, Moledet, and Keshet) approached Liberty's position at approximately 15:30 on 8 June 1967. The Israeli torpedo boats launched a specific torpedo attack against the ship at approximately 15:35. One of the five torpedoes launched by the Israeli torpedo boats struck Liberty's starboard side amidships at approximately 15:38 on 8 June 1967. The torpedo explosion killed an additional 25 intelligence-specialist crew members in the ship's cryptologic compartment. Despite the combined aerial and naval attack, Liberty remained afloat. Commander McGonagle's specific operational response was substantial: the ship's emergency procedures were activated; fires were progressively controlled; damage control wa