USS Vincennes shoots down Iranian airliner

Clip: 459849_1_1

Year Shot: 1988 (Actual Year)

Audio: Yes

Video: Color

Tape Master: 1359

Original Film:

HD: N/A

Location: Persian Gulf

Timecode: -

Expand details

Download

Reel: 1

This sequence shows the Aegis cruiser USS Vincennes firing two missiles into the air, then an enlisted man on the ship's bridge announcing that the target had been hit "dead on." We hear shouts of jubilation from the crew, followed by an order to "knock it off." Another officer confirms the ship has scored a "direct hit." [NOTE: The aircraft shot down in this video sequence turned out to be an Iranian airliner full of civilians, Iran Air Flight 655. Mitigating circumstances for the Vincennes' action include the plane's refusal to identify itself and the fact that the cruiser was also under attack by several Iranian gunboats at the time.]