June 8, 1967–the day Israel attacked the U.S. Navy
In today’s Florida Times-Union, Jeff Brumley conducts an intriguing interview with Jacksonville resident Barbara Lupton Neilson. If June 8, 1967, doesn’t ring a bell with you, read the interview.
I was a teen when, in the middle of the Six Day War, Israel attacked the USS Liberty in international waters off the Sinai Peninsula. Those were troubled times. President Lyndon B. Johnson was in office, pushing his “Great Society.� The United States was entangled in the Vietnam War, courtesy of France and fear of communism. Civil rights issues filled the TV screen and newspapers. If you think today’s times are troubled, simply revisit the 1960s.
The USS Liberty was technically a research ship—on the day it was attacked, it was gathering intelligence as Israel conducted a pre-emptive war against Arab states.
Without warning, Israeli forces attacked the USS Liberty, killing 34 and injuring more than 170. Israel’s reconnaissance aircraft had conducted at least 8 orbital flights before the attack occurred. Rockets, cannon fire and napalm rained down on the ship. Torpedo boats launched missiles. Firefighters and rescue personnel aboard the Liberty were fired on.
Afterwards, Israel apologized, explaining the ship was thought to be Egyptian. Johnson never disputed the Israeli explanation.
Others, however, believe the attack was deliberate. Many in government and the military posited beliefs that Israel would have completely destroyed the ship had the country truly believed it to be Egyptian. There has never been a full investigation on a level that satisfies survivors.
Survivors of the USS Liberty founded an organization, in hopes of seeing full disclosure about the events of Jun 8, 1967. Regardless, today’s date commemorates yet another day in history when American troops gave up their lives for their country.
Barbara Neilson’s husband died aboard the USS Liberty. When Jeff Brumley asked her if she thought the attack was a mistake, she gave a simple reply. “No, I don’t believe that.�
(Photo above is of USS Liberty after the attack; courtesy of the Historical Center, U.S. Navy; text by Kay B. Day)
Word Press, Technorati, Tags, USS Liberty, Navy, Israel, Attack, Palestine, Middle East, Military, Weaponry
March 21st, 2008 at 6:59 am
[...] Israeli newspaper Haaretz and its publisher Amos Schocken was highlighted recently in Monocle. The article [...]
June 11th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
As a survivor of the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty I would like to thank you for remembering my ship and my shipmates.
June 12th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
[...] Americans. But it’s a day that deserves commemoration and a closer look at what really happened.http://www.currenteventswatch.com/june-8-1967-the-day-israel-attacked-the-us-navy/The Happening 1967Directed by Elliot Silverstein. With Anthony Quinn, Michael Parks, George Maharis. [...]