Representative Calls for New USS Liberty Investigation on 59th Anniversary

A member of Congress delivered remarks on the House floor on June 8 calling for a new investigation into the 1967 attack on the USS Liberty and urging formal recognition of the surviving crew members. The representative described the incident in which Israeli aircraft and torpedo boats struck the U.S. Navy intelligence ship operating in international waters off the Sinai Peninsula during the Six-Day War.

Naval History and Heritage Command records show 34 Americans were killed and 171 wounded.

Background on the 1967 Incident Israel stated at the time that the strike resulted from mistaken identity, and the United States accepted that explanation. The incident has remained a subject of debate for decades. The representative entered into the Congressional Record a declaration from the late chief counsel to the Navy Court of Inquiry that argued the original inquiry was invalid.

Several survivors met with the representative before the speech.

The representative said survivors deserve recognition, closure, and justice while they are still alive. The representative urged lawmakers to conduct an investigation and pass a resolution honoring those killed and wounded. A spokesperson for the representative declined to comment on whether legislation or additional steps are planned beyond the floor remarks.