Posted on 01/10/2017 7:50:40 AM PST by Revski
This memorial of the USS Forrestal,CVA 59; it will be 50 years ago this July 29-Th; has actual pictures and the voice of Captain John K. Beling at the time of the fires.
“Wet Start Johnny?”
On 29 July 1967, during preparation for another strike, a On July 29, 1967 the USS FORRESTAL was operating on Yankee Station off the coast of North Vietnam conducting combat operations. This was the fifth such day of operations and at 10:52am the crew was starting the second launch cycle of the day, when suddenly a Zuni rocket accidentally fired from an F-4 Phantom into a parked and armed A-4 Skyhawk. The accidental launch and subsequent impact caused the belly fuel tank and a 1,000 pound bomb on the Skyhawk to fall off, the tank broke open spilling JP5 (jet fuel) onto the flight deck and ignited a fire. Within a minute and a half the bomb was the first to cook-off and explode, this caused a massive chain reaction of explosions that engulfed half the airwings aircraft, and blew huge holes in the steel flight deck. Fed by fuel and bombs from other aircraft that were armed and ready for the coming strike, the fire spread quickly, many pilots and support personnel were trapped and burned alive.
Fuel and bombs spilled into the holes in the flight deck igniting fires on decks further into the bowels of the ship. Berthing spaces immediately below the flight deck became death traps for fifty men, while other crewmen were blown overboard by the explosion.
Nearby ships hastened to the FORRESTAL’s aid. The ORISKANY (CV 34), herself a victim of a tragic fire in October 1966, stood by to offer fire-fighting and medical aid to the larger carrier. Nearby escort vessels sprayed water on the burning FORRESTAL and within an hour the fire on the flight deck was under control. The crew heroically fought the fire and carried armed bombs to the side of the ship to throw them overboard for 13 hours. Secondary fires below deck took another 12 hours to contain. On the flight deck that day was Lieutenant Commander (later Senator) John McCain.
Once the fires were under control, the extent of the devastation was apparent. Most tragic was the loss to the crew, 134 had lost their lives, while an additional 64 were injured, this was and still remains the single worst loss of life on a navy vessel since the USS FRANKLIN (CV 13) was bombed in WWII. The ship proceeded to Cubi Point in the Philippines for temporary repairs. In only eight days enough repairs were made that she could start the long trip back to her home port of Norfolk, Virginia for permanent repairs. On her way home she was capable of operating aircraft if needed.
FORRESTAL would spend seven months in the yards being repaired, she was re-built from the hanger up and forward to aircraft elevator number four, this accounts for about 1/5 the ships length and 5 decks. On April 8, 1968 FORRESTAL was once again ready to take her place in the fleet, she was never to return to Vietnam.
With over a dozen major detonations from 1,000 and 500 lb bombs and numerous missile, fuel tank, and aircraft explosions no ship has ever survived the pounding FORRESTAL underwent that day, before or since. She and her crew proved the toughness and dangers associated with the operation of super-carriers, this is one of her greatest legacies. The USS FORRESTAL would go on to serve the United States for another 26 years during the height of the Cold War and see it through to its demise. She and her crew were always ready to go into battle again, the call never came, she served in war for 4 1/2 days but served to ensure peace for over 13,860. FORRESTAL had truly served her purpose as ‘First in Defense’.
As much s I do not like McCain the Forrestal fire is not one of the issues
Its started when a zuni rocket got an eletrical short and was fired across the deck.. the rocket hit the belly drop tank of an A4 Skyhawk (that just happen to be McCain’s A4) on the other side of the deck staring a fire.
He was just in wrong place wrong time on this
I saw the film as part of a flight deck safety film. Five months later I was stationed on her as part of one of the squadrons. Kind of an eerie feel to not only be onboard, but to also be on the 03 deck directly under the 3rd wire. An experience you just can’t forget. This was in 1972. I often looked at the memorial plaque on the hangar deck. God Bless our sailors.
Yes may all military men and woman receive grace and mercy in the now and the past. You mentioned be on board the Forrestal’s 3 hanger bay I remember when fighting the fires only going as far as hanger bay 2 the 3 was shut up tight because of damage. Thanks for commenting and blessing to you also and thank you for serving our country.
Yes it was but because of 2017 being in the 50 years since the fire I feel I should run through the year for remembrance of the men who gave there young life and the others who served. Thanks for viewing. Blessing :)
I never heard that one. LOL
Thanks for your comment and I believe showing this may save lives.
I believe you could be because he was on one the planes that was on fire. :(
Amen and they were heroes. Thanks for your comment.
Your right and some things McCain does is not like a republican would do. :(((
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.