The day Israel accidentally attacked a U.S. spy ship – and a cruiser raced to the rescue

USS Little Rock’s Emergency Rescue of USS Liberty

On June 8, 1967, USS Liberty was hit hard off the Sinai coast. Israeli jets and boats struck the U.S. spy ship in a case of wrong ID, killing 34 sailors and wounding 171 more.

The next day, USS Little Rock raced to help. The cruiser sent damage control experts and medics to stop the flooding through a 39-foot hole.

Little Rock’s crew stood in silence as the worst hurt came aboard, while their medical teams worked non-stop on burns and wounds. The ship then helped escort Liberty to Malta for fixes.

Today, the USS Little Rock in NYC holds items from this rescue that changed both ships forever.

Liberty Gathered Intelligence During Six-Day War

The USS Liberty sailed near the Sinai Peninsula in June 1967.

The ship sat about 13 miles offshore in international waters, collecting information about the Arab-Israeli Six-Day War. American flags flew clearly on the vessel during its peaceful mission.

The 294 crew members worked day and night tracking communications and radar signals.

Liberty kept in touch with Sixth Fleet command throughout its time in the Mediterranean, reporting on military movements in the area.

Israeli Jets Attacked Without Warning

Israeli planes began circling Liberty around 2:00 PM on June 8, 1967. The jets suddenly swooped down and hit the ship with machine guns, rockets, and napalm bombs.

The pilots first targeted the communication equipment, making it hard for Liberty to call for help. Sailors ran to battle stations but had few ways to protect their lightly-armed research ship.

The attacking planes made several passes, shooting at crew members who tried to find cover as casualties grew.

Torpedo Boats Joined The Attack

Israeli torpedo boats raced toward Liberty after the air strikes. The boats fired several torpedoes at the damaged American ship.

One torpedo hit the right side, blasting a 39-foot hole below the water. Lower decks flooded right away, nearly sinking the ship.

Gunners on the torpedo boats shot at crew members trying to fight fires and help wounded shipmates. They even shot at lifeboats in the water.

The attack lasted about 75 minutes before the Israelis left.

Crew Fought To Save Their Ship

The attack killed 34 Americans and wounded 171, more than two-thirds of Liberty’s crew. Engine rooms, communication centers, and steering systems took heavy damage.

The ship tilted 10 degrees to the right as water poured through the torpedo hole. Sailors formed bucket lines and repair teams despite their injuries.

Radio techs pieced together working equipment from damaged parts to send distress calls. Captain William McGonagle, though wounded, stayed on the bridge directing survival efforts.

Little Rock Led The Rescue

USS America and USS Saratoga picked up Liberty’s emergency calls. Vice Admiral William Martin on the USS Little Rock took charge of organizing help.

As Sixth Fleet flagship, Little Rock handled the emergency response across many ships. The cruiser sent protective aircraft to fly over the wounded Liberty.

Captain William Rogers told his crew to get ready for rescue operations as Little Rock sped toward Liberty’s location at top speed.

Damage Control Teams Got Ready

Little Rock’s crew put together a rescue team as they hurried to help. Lieutenant John C. Cockram, the ship’s damage control expert, gathered tools to stop Liberty from sinking. Medical teams packed trauma kits, blood supplies, and surgical gear.

Sailors cleared space in sick bay for the wounded. The crew readied small boats for transfers in the rough Mediterranean.

Little Rock’s radio operators kept talking with Liberty, getting updates on the wounded and damage.

Sailors Saw The Damage Firsthand

Little Rock reached Liberty on the morning of June 9, showing the full horror of the attack. Crew members stood in silence as they saw the torn-up decks and bloodstains.

Small boats carried Lieutenant Cockram and medical teams through rough seas.

The boarding party found blown-out rooms, flooded areas, and tired sailors still caring for their wounded friends.

Little Rock pulled alongside to provide communications, security, and a stable platform for medical evacuations.

Medical Teams Worked Non-Stop

Doctors turned Little Rock’s sick bay into a mass trauma center. Sailors brought the less badly wounded aboard Little Rock for quick treatment.

Medical staff worked around the clock on burns, shrapnel wounds, and serious injuries. Helicopters from USS America took the most severely wounded to better-equipped facilities.

Surgeons performed emergency operations throughout the night, with off-duty sailors giving blood for their hurt shipmates.

Engineers Stopped The Flooding

Lieutenant Cockram led critical repair efforts aboard the damaged Liberty. Little Rock sent over pumps, wooden supports, and welding tools.

The repair teams worked in flooded, dark rooms to patch the huge torpedo hole. They built emergency walls to contain the flooding and strengthened weakened structures.

Little Rock’s engineers helped restore limited electrical power and engine systems. Their quick work kept Liberty afloat when many thought she would sink.

The Damaged Ship Headed To Safety

Little Rock protected Liberty as it slowly moved toward Malta for repairs. The cruiser stayed alert, watching for any threats in the still-active war zone.

Navigation officers on Little Rock helped plot the safest route for the damaged vessel. Fresh crews from Little Rock gave tired Liberty sailors breaks during the hard journey.

More destroyers joined them, creating a protective shield around the wounded ship as they traveled through dangerous waters.

Compensation Came After Years Of Questions

Liberty reached Malta naval facilities where workers assessed the extensive damage. Little Rock remained with her until additional support vessels arrived.

Israel officially apologized for the attack, claiming they mistook Liberty for an Egyptian ship. The Israeli government paid $13 million in compensation to the victims’ families and for repairs to the vessel.

Multiple investigations by both American and Israeli authorities concluded the attack resulted from tragic misidentification during the fog of war.

Liberty survivors later received Purple Hearts and other commendations for their bravery.

Visiting USS Little Rock (CL-92), NYC

You can visit USS Little Rock at Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park at 1 Naval Park Cove in Buffalo, NY.

The 610-foot cruiser served as Sixth Fleet flagship during the 1967 Six-Day War when her crew rescued USS Liberty survivors. Your self-guided tour includes the sick bay where Liberty sailors were treated.

Admission costs $23 for adults, $16 for veterans. The park opens daily 10am-5pm from May through September.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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