[taxesareforever]

My question is, why was there no American flag flying on this ship?

[Bulwark]

There was an American flag flying on the ship. They actually used an oversized flag in the hopes that the attacking planes would see it and realize their mistake. I think they used something like a 7 or 10 foot long flag, which is pretty hard to miss from a plane...

But I guess I'm anti-semetic for just not accepting the apology outright.

[hershey]

That's what I wondered. Why no American flag on the ship?

[Beckwith]

According to the crew of the Liberty, there was an American flag flying from the mast.

[A Navy Vet]

Of course there was a flag flying. However, depending on the course of the ship, her speed, and the speed of any wind, it's very possible the flag was laying vertical to its mast. If the weather were hazy, it would be even more difficult to see the flag.

The question I can't get past, is why the Israeli pilots didn't try international channels for a possible I.D. The whole thing sounds like overzealous trigger happy aviator and ground controllers.

[Poohbah]

My question is, why was there no American flag flying on this ship?

It WAS flying. But you try to see Old Glory when you're moving at 9-10 miles a minute passing over the ship...fighter pilots are notorious for not being able to see jack-s**t if said jack-s**t is on the ground or water.