Introduction

On June 30, 2026, Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced H. Res. 1406 in the United States House of Representatives to honor the crew of the USS Liberty and recognize one of the most controversial and unresolved incidents in American military history.

The resolution commemorates the 34 Americans killed and 174 wounded during the June 8, 1967 attack on the USS Liberty while urging the United States government to fully declassify all remaining records related to the incident. Nearly six decades later, many survivors and their families continue to seek complete transparency and historical accountability.

What is H. Res. 1406?

H. Res. 1406 is a House Resolution introduced during the 119th Congress that expresses the sense of the House regarding the USS Liberty attack and the service of her crew.

The resolution:

• Honors the courage and sacrifice of the officers and crew of the USS Liberty.

• Recognizes the deaths of 34 American servicemen and the wounding of 174 others during the June 8, 1967 attack.

• Calls for the declassification of all remaining government records related to the incident.

• Affirms that protecting American servicemembers must remain a paramount principle of United States foreign policy.

While House resolutions do not create law, they serve as formal statements of congressional recognition and policy positions. H. Res. 1406 represents one of the strongest congressional acknowledgments of the USS Liberty tragedy in decades.

Why This Resolution Matters

For nearly sixty years, survivors of the USS Liberty have sought a complete public accounting of the events surrounding the attack.

Although numerous official investigations were conducted, many government records remain classified, and veterans have long argued that important evidence has never been fully disclosed.

H. Res. 1406 brings renewed congressional attention to these unresolved questions while honoring the extraordinary courage demonstrated by the Liberty's crew during one of the deadliest attacks on a United States Navy vessel outside of a declared war.

The resolution also reinforces the principle that every American service member deserves transparency, accountability, and the full historical record.

The USS Liberty

USS Liberty (AGTR-5) was a United States Navy technical research ship operating in international waters during the Six-Day War on June 8, 1967.

During the attack, the ship was struck by aircraft and torpedoes, resulting in:

• 34 Americans killed

• 174 wounded

• More than 70% of the crew becoming casualties

Despite sustaining catastrophic damage, the crew fought to save their ship and prevent it from sinking. Their actions remain one of the most remarkable examples of courage and determination in U.S. naval history.

Congressman Thomas Massie's Statement

Upon introducing H. Res. 1406, Congressman Thomas Massie stated:

"Today, I introduced a resolution to honor the crew of the USS Liberty. Fifty-nine years ago, Israel attacked the ship, killing 34 Americans and wounding 174. The President should declassify all of it."

His resolution represents a renewed effort to recognize the sacrifices of the crew while encouraging greater government transparency regarding the events of June 8, 1967.

Read H. Res. 1406

Visitors are encouraged to read the full text of H. Res. 1406 to better understand the language, findings, and purpose of the resolution.

Read the Full Resolution: