Overview
On June 8, 1967, during the Six-Day War, the USS Liberty was attacked by Israeli aircraft and torpedo boats in international waters. The attack killed 34 U.S. sailors and wounded 171.
Controversy
Israel apologized, claiming they mistook the ship for the Egyptian vessel El Quseir. However, many survivors and U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Dean Rusk, believe the attack was deliberate to prevent the U.S. from intercepting military signals or to draw the U.S. into a "false flag" entry into the conflict.