Nearly six decades after the USS Liberty was attacked during the Six-Day War, survivors continue fighting for truth as government agencies withhold crucial documents about the deadly incident that claimed 34 American lives.
At a Glance
- USS Liberty survivors testified before New Hampshire legislators in January 2024, seeking declassification of withheld documents
- The 1967 attack by Israeli forces killed 34 Americans and wounded over 170 during the Six-Day War
- Israel claims the attack was mistaken identity, paid $13 million in reparations, but many veterans remain skeptical
- A recent FOIA lawsuit has revealed new details but hundreds of pages remain classified or heavily redacted
- Intelligence reports suggest Israeli forces identified the Liberty as American before the attack
Veterans Continue Quest for Transparency
USS Liberty survivors James Scott, Larry Bowen, and Phil Tourney testified before the New Hampshire General Court on January 14, 2024, continuing their decades-long fight for full disclosure about what happened on June 8, 1967. The intelligence-gathering ship was operating in international waters near Egypt’s coastline when it was attacked by Israeli air and naval forces. The assault killed 34 American servicemen and wounded more than 170 others in what Israel has consistently claimed was a case of mistaken identity, believing the vessel to be an Egyptian ship.
Despite multiple official investigations concluding the attack was an accident, survivors and some researchers maintain that significant information remains hidden from public view. A recent Freedom of Information Act lawsuit has forced the release of some documents but revealed that hundreds of pages related to the incident are still being withheld by various government agencies, including the CIA, NSA, and Department of Defense. Many released documents contain substantial redactions, further frustrating veterans’ search for answers.
Conflicting Intelligence and Missing Records
Among the most troubling aspects of the Liberty case are intelligence reports suggesting Israeli forces may have identified the ship as American before launching the attack. According to documents cited in the recent FOIA lawsuit, sources in Tel Aviv claimed that “Israel’s forces knew exactly what flag the Liberty was flying.” Other reports indicated that Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Dayan “personally ordered the attack,” though these claims remain contested by official Israeli and American accounts.
The Naval Court of Inquiry, completed just days after the attack, has faced criticism for not investigating Israeli culpability and for remaining classified until 1976. The CIA has not acknowledged certain records, including a June 28, 1967 briefing to Congress, while the so-called HAC Report, believed to contain crucial testimony, is reportedly held only by the NSA. These missing pieces fuel continuing skepticism about the official narrative.
Reparations and Ongoing Debate
Israel officially apologized for the incident and paid approximately $13 million in reparations to the United States and to the families of the victims. The crew received Purple Hearts for their service and injuries. However, these gestures have not quelled demands for greater transparency. The attack occurred during a period of heightened tensions in the Middle East, as Israel was engaged in the Six-Day War with neighboring Arab nations, adding complex geopolitical context to the incident.
“How could the Israelis have confused the ship with the El Quseir?” questioned James Scott’s son, referring to the Egyptian ship that Israel claimed it thought it was attacking. The USS Liberty was significantly larger and had distinctly different markings.
Defenders of the official account point to the fog of war and the chaotic conditions during the Six-Day War. During a debate between veteran Phil Tourney and journalist Cam Higby, Higby asked, “Would Israeli jets use napalm bombs to sink an ironclad American ship?” suggesting that if Israel had intended to sink an American vessel, different tactics would have been employed. Multiple official investigations by both American and Israeli authorities have concluded the attack was a tragic case of mistaken identity.
Calls for Declassification
Veterans and their supporters argue that complete transparency would resolve lingering questions and provide closure to survivors and victims’ families. The recent FOIA lawsuit has resulted in the release of some previously classified documents, but many remain inaccessible or heavily redacted. Government agencies have denied possessing certain records or claimed that releasing them would harm national security interests, positions that continue to frustrate those seeking answers.
As the Liberty veterans age, their determination to uncover the full truth about what happened that day in June 1967 has not diminished. Their testimony to New Hampshire legislators represents another chapter in their ongoing campaign for transparency and accountability regarding one of the most controversial friendly fire incidents in American military history. For these survivors, the quest for declassification is not just about historical accuracy but about honoring the sacrifice of those who lost their lives serving their country.
