Israel 34, Russia 0
During the Six-Day War, Israeli aircraft and torpedo boats attack the USS
Liberty in international waters off Egypt’s Gaza Strip. The intelligence ship, well-marked as an American vessel and only lightly armed, was attacked first by Israeli aircraft that fired napalm and rockets at the ship. The
Liberty attempted to radio for assistance, but the Israeli aircraft blocked the transmissions. Eventually, the ship was able to make contact with the U.S. carrier
Saratoga, and 12 fighter jets and four tanker planes were dispatched to defend the
Liberty. When word of their deployment reached
Washington, however, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara ordered them recalled to the carrier, and they never reached the
Liberty. The reason for the recall remains unclear.
Back in the Mediterranean, the initial air raid against the
Liberty was over. Nine of the 294 crewmembers were dead and 60 were wounded. Suddenly, the ship was attacked by Israeli torpedo boats, which launched torpedoes and fired artillery at the ship. Under the command of its wounded captain, William L. McGonagle, the
Liberty managed to avert four torpedoes, but one struck the ship at the waterline. Heavily damaged, the ship launched three lifeboats, but these were also attacked–a violation of international law. Failing to sink the
Liberty, which displaced 10,000 tons, the Israelis finally desisted. In all, 34 Americans were killed and 171 were wounded in the two-hour attack. In the attack’s aftermath, the
Liberty managed to limp to a safe port.