CVA-59 was named after James Vincent Forrestal (1892-1949). He became the first Under Secretary of the Navy in August 1940, charged with building the world's largest Fleet. His brilliant work in procurement and production led to his appointment as the 48th Secretary of the Navy in May 1944. Forrestal carried out this new assignment with such distinction that he was the natural choice as the first Secretary of Defense, a position to which he was appointed in September 1947, and in which he continued outstanding service to the Nation, until he resigned in March 1949. He had served in the US Navy as a naval aviator during World War I.

Aircraft Carrier CVB-59. Concept artwork by D.A. McKenna, depicting the original design for this ship. After many modifications, she was completed as USS Forrestal (CVA-59). As originally planned, the carrier had catapults at the bow and on sponsons on each side, a landing area running up the ship's centerline and no "island" above the flight deck level. Photograph was received by the Naval Photographic Center on 27 September 1951.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-433021).

Note: Original caption incorrectly refers to "USS Forrestal (CVA-58)." CVA-58 was, in fact, the cancelled United States; Forrestal was initially designated CVB-59, changed to CVA-59 on 1 October 1952, prior to commissioning.

Forrestal (CVA-59) under construction, general view from aft, 28 April 1953. Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. photo.

No. 2 diesel generator being placed in ship, 30 ??? 1953. Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. photo.

"USS Forrestal (CVA 59), scheduled to join the fleet in 1955, is a-building. Construction on second deck level below hangar deck is now in progress." From "All Hands" magazine, September 1953 issue.

Forrestal was christened on Saturday, December 11, 1954 by Mrs. James V. Forrestal, widow of the ship's namesake.

USS Forrestal (CVA-59) photographed by W.F. Radcliff, 1955.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. (photo # NH 85667).

Official U.S. Navy photo of Forrestal (CVA-59) from "Jane's Fighting Ships, 1956–1957," possibly taken when she was about to begin her builder's trials.

Forrestal (CVA-59), possibly while running her builder's trials.

USS Forrestal (CVA-59) underway on trials, 29 September 1955, just prior to commissioning.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-682046).

Forrestal (CVA-59), probably running trials circa September 1955.

This postcard shows Forrestal as built.

USS Forrestal (CVA-59) circa 1956. Official U.S. Navy photo from "Jane's Fighting Ships, 1958–1959."

Photograph taken during Forrestal's shakedown cruise, January 24–March 31, 1956. This picture was the front cover of "Naval Aviation News," August 1956 issue. (Thanks to Ken Killmeyer, USS Forrestal Association historian, who provided this info).

Another photo taken during Forrestal's shakedown cruise, January 24–March 31, 1956. (Thanks to Ken Killmeyer, USS Forrestal Association historian, who helped date this image).

USS Forrestal (CVA-59) catapults a FJ-3 Fury jet fighter from a midships catapult, during shakedown operations, 12 March 1956. Another FJ-3, of Fighter Squadron 21 (VF-21) and a F2H-3 Banshee are being readied for launching from the bow catapults. Photographed by N.W. Bitzer.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-687790).

"FLEET STRIKING POWER is emphasized in this dramatic photo of the versatile new McDonnell F3H-2N Demon leaving the steam 'cat' aboard the U.S.S. Forrestal CVA-59 during recent carrier trials. The fastest all-weather fighter now on Navy operational duty, the advanced Demon is powered by an Allison J-71 engine with afterburner augmentation. The McDonnell Fighter recently completed its Fleet Introduction Program at Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland, a week ahead of schedule, bringing the comment of Captain Donald Gay, Jr., USN, Director of Service Tests, that 'The Demon Fleet Introduction Program was one of the most successful ever held at Patuxent.'"

McDonnell Aircraft Corporation Photo #D4E69362.

This photo was most likely taken in April 1956. (Thanks to Ken Killmeyer, USS Forrestal Association historian, who helped date this picture.)

"CVPR-590 — F8U landing on the Forrestal. Mirror landing system is on the right. Office of Public Information, DOD; 26 May 1956."

Carrier suitability tests for the F8U-1 Crusader were carried out aboard Forrestal in April 1956. There is no test logged in May, however. Quoted date may be, therefore, the date the photo was received by the Office of Public Information, or perhaps the date it was released to the public. (Thanks to Ken Killmeyer, USS Forrestal Association historian, who provided this info).

"Aerial bow view of the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) as it is backed into the drydock at Norfolk Naval Ship Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia. Official U.S. Navy photo, USN # 670838, 10 May 1956."

USS Forrestal (CVA-59) awaiting her turn to refuel, while operating in the Mediterranean Sea during the Jordanian crisis, 29 April 1957. USS Caloosahatchee (AO-98) is ahead, with USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) and USS Salem (CA-139) alongside. Note Forrestal's eclectic air group, with F3H-2N, FJ-3M, F9F-8B, F2H-2P, A3D-1, AD-6, and S2F aircraft visible on her flight deck.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-K-22688).

Sunday, 11 November 1956 (Suez Crisis). Steaming in company with Task Force 26 composed of DESRON 26, DESDIV 322, USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) [seen in the background in photo NS025970b], USS Des Moines (CA-134) and USS Severn (AO-61) enroute to the Azores Islands.

(Thanks to Ken Killmeyer, USS Forrestal Association historian).

USS Forrestal (CVA-59), the first of four ships of her class and the Navy's first supercarrier was placed in commission at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Va., CAPT R.L. Johnson in command. This was the follow-on ship to the CVA-58 which had been cancelled six years earlier. This is Forrestal with the Sixth Fleet in October 1957. (709972.)

USS Forrestal (CVA-59) underway with Carrier Air Group 1 (CVG-1) aboard, probably in the second half of 1957.

Official US Navy Photograph from the Forrestal's Photo Lab, serial #CVA-59-6321-L-7-57.

(Thanks to Ken Killmeyer, USS Forrestal Association historian, who helped date this photo).

NATO Exercise Strike Back, September-October 1957.

Top to bottom:

(32)  In port, as seen from USS Intrepid (CVA-11). Number 1 elevator (forward, starboard) can be seen in the lowered position and shows that horizontal surfaces were painted in a darker blue-gray color.

(33)  Tugs pushing Forrestal away from Pier 5 (Norfolk).

(34)  Forward 5" guns had not yet been removed. Original slanted-top funnel had been replaced with a rectangular one, flat-topped. Aft mast was still in its original configuration.

(35)  A3D-1 Skywarriors of Heavy Attack Squadron One (VAH-1) "Smokin' Tigers." VAH-1 was the first operational unit to receive Skywarriors. Note ship's crane (right), 5" guns and sponson (center) and ECM antennas (just aft of the guns and on flight deck's edge).

(36)  Forrestal underway.

Four photos of USS Forrestal (CVA-59) underway on 29 August 1959, after completing her first regular overhaul and with Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8) aboard for the first time. CVG-8, later Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8), would deploy regularly with Forrestal until 1966.

Note new flight deck markings, as compared to earlier photos, above (e.g., NS025993 and NS025908). The "59" at the aft end of the flight deck had been removed, and the one at the forward end was only an outline. The yellow, converging, landing lines had been replaced by white, parallel lines.

Caloosahatchee (AO-98) refueling Forrestal (CVA-59) to port while Salem (CA-139) moves into position to refuel from Caloosahatchee's starboard side, date and place unknown. US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, May 1960.

USS Forrestal (CVA-59) in the Med, early 1960.

Two Douglas AD-5W aircraft of squadron VAW-12 fly over the carrier, while she was operating with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, 25 April 1960. The planes are Bureau #s 135163 and 135183.

Pawcatuck (AO-108) refueling Forrestal, circa August 1960-May 1962, place unknown. Photo taken from Goodrich (DDR-831).

A3J-1 Vigilante conducting carrier trials aboard USS Forrestal (CVA-59), October 31-November 8, 1960. This plane appears to be BuNo 146697, the 4th production Vigilante, which had been used for initial carrier suitability tests aboard USS Saratoga (CVA-60) the previous July, and is now preserved at NAS Patuxent River, MD. Official US Navy photo. (Thanks to Ken Killmeyer, USS Forrestal Association historian, who helped date this picture).

USS Forrestal (CVA-59) underway with Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8). Official US Navy photo, from the ship's photo lab, File No. CVA-59-22126-L-9-62.

Although this photo is dated September 2, 1962 it appears to have been taken just minutes before photo NS025909, below (according to Ken Killmeyer, Forrestal Association historian, the carrier was anchored at Naples, Italy, on Sep. 2, 1962.)

USS Forrestal (CVA-59) underway at sea, 31 May 1962, while preparing for her fifth deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. Note that the carrier has F4H Phantom II jet fighters in her air group.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (photo # KN-4507).

Three Crusaders assigned to Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8) fly over USS Forrestal (CVA-59), circa August 1962. From fore to back: an F8U-1P (soon-to-be RF-8A) of VFP-62 "Fighting Photos," BuNo 146895, and two F8U-2's (F-8C) of VF-103 "Sluggers," BuNos 146932 and 145592. Official US Navy photo, from the ship's photo lab, File No. CVA-59-22236-L-8-62.

A VA-81 "Crusaders" A4D-2 Skyhawk about to launch from the port forward catapult aboard USS Forrestal (CVA-59). Official US Navy photo, from the ship's photo lab, File No. CVA-59-22128-L-9-62.

This picture is dated September 2, 1962 but must have been taken somewhat earlier, as on that date Forrestal was anchored at Naples, Italy (thanks to Ken Killmeyer, Forrestal Association historian.)

Under the 1962 new, joint designation system, the A4D-2 was redesignated A-4B. Squadron VA-81 was renamed "Sunliners" on April 3, 1963.

USS Forrestal (CVA-59) between launches. Note the aircraft parked in the bow area so that planes could land on the angled fligh deck, aft. Three A4D Skyhawks are in tow for servicing and storage. The radio antennas on the port bow are in the lowered position for air operations, and raised to a vertical position when flight operations were complete. Given the presence of Phantoms and Skyraiders, this photo was probably taken in 1962–1963. Location unknown.

Photo from the John N. Adriani Sr collection.

Launch operations on USS Forrestal (CVA-59). An A4D Skyhawk has just taken off from the angled flight deck and the two forward catapults show signs of two more planes being set up for take off, since the jet blast deflection plates can be seen raised behind both planes (midships). A helicopter is visible above the bow. Location unknown, time frame 1962–64.

Photo from the John N. Adriani Sr collection.

An F8U-1P/RF-8A of VFP-62 launching from the angle deck of USS Forrestal (CVA-59), probably circa 1962–1963. Note the variable incidence wing in the up position, for additional lift — this was a unique feature of the Crusader. An A4D-2/A-4B Skyhawk of VA-81 is being prepared for launch on the left forward cat. Note the blast deflector behind the jet to protect the flight deck crew. Official US Navy photograph.

"Hook down and coming home" — an F8U-1P/RF-8A of VFP-62 prepares to land on USS Forrestal (CVA-59), sometime in 1962–1966. Official US Navy photograph.

"Forrestal made history in November 1963 when on the 8th, 21st and 22nd, LT James H. Flatley III and his crew members, LCDR [W. W.] 'Smokey' Stovall and Aviation Machinist's Mate (Jets) 1st Class Ed Brennan, made [29 touch-and-go landings and] 21 full-stop landings and takeoffs in a C-130F Hercules aboard the ship. The tests were conducted 500 miles out in the North Atlantic off the coast of Massachusetts. In so doing, Forrestal and the C-130 set a record for the largest and heaviest airplane landing on a Navy aircraft carrier. The Navy was trying to determine if the big Hercules could serve as a 'Super-COD' — a 'Carrier On-board Delivery' aircraft. The problem was there was no aircraft which could provide resupply to a carrier in mid ocean. The Hercules was stable, reliable, and had a long cruising range and high payload."

"The tests were more than successful. At 85,000 pounds [38,555.3 kg], the C-130F came to a complete stop within 267 feet [81.4 meters], and at the maximum load [121,000 pounds, 54,884.6 kg], the plane used only 745 feet [227.1 meters] for take-off [and 460 feet, 140.2 meters, for landing]. The Navy concluded that with the C-130 Hercules, it would be possible to lift 25,000 pounds [11,339.8 kg] of cargo 2,500 miles [4,022.5 km] and land it on a carrier. However, the idea was considered a bit too risky for routine COD operations. The C-2A Greyhound program was developed and the first of these planes became operational in 1965. For his effort, the Navy awarded LT Flatley the Distinguished Flying Cross."

The plane was an USMC KC-130F Hercules, BuNo 149798, at the time assigned to VR-1 squadron. In 2005 it was donated to the National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, FL.

The first test took place on October 30 near Jacksonville, FL — LT Flatley and his crew performed 19 touch-and-go landings.

Quoted text courtesy of the US Navy. Additional information from KC130.Com and Fabio Peña.

Format: WMV (Windows Media Audio/Video file)  Duration: 3' 38"   Size: 320 x 240

Bow photo of USS Forrestal (CVA-59) moored alongside the north side of pier #90 in New York City. Look at the sailor on the flight deck near the Union Jack: he appears small compared to the massive attack carrier. Look at the two 30-ton anchors, and to the right bottom part of the photo you can see the red stack off to the right on the north side of the next pier; that stack is the SS Queen Mary which is also now sea history.

Forward port side view of USS Forrestal (CVA-59) taken from the access road. The people in the foreground are waiting in line to tour the first super aircraft carrier which was open for the public viewing. The port side elevator is in the lower position, and the Hudson River can be seen in the distant background.

Window view from Pier #90 looking north. USS Forrestal's starboard side massive 30-ton anchor has a striking appearance. Looking beyond Forrestal's bow to the right, is the NYC harbor lighter; this lighter has worked the NYC harbor for years unloading cargo from ships. The line of people below the elevated West Side highway are waiting to visit Forrestal; the highway is no longer there and the skyline has also changed...

Window view from pier #90 looking at USS Forrestal (CVA-59) starboard side forward. The officers' quarter deck can be seen which is where the white canvas tarp and railing. At the extreme left you can see people entering Forrestal on the lowered elevator, and the sunlight highlights forward hangar bay door area. Looking upward to the flight deck, you can see parked aircraft, and visitors walking around enjoying their tour on board Forrestal.

Photo taken from Pier #90 looking at USS Forrestal starboard side aft. In the foreground is the ship's crane, which was used to lift heavy aircraft, supplies and equipment from the pier to the lowered elevator deck. Upper left you can see one of the two 5-inch guns on the starboard aft sponson.

View of the starboard side aft of the island looking at the top of the ship's crane, the two 5-inch gun mounts, and three fighters which are parked on the flight deck. The three Fighter Squadron VF-74 ("Be-Devilers") planes are McDonnell F-4B Phantom II interceptors.

Photo showing the visitors exploring USS Forrestal's flight deck. In the background can be seen an A-4E Skyhawk, AJ407, assigned to VA-81 "Sunliners." Off to the left, in the background, are a few more F-4B Phantom II fighters.

Getting near the end of the day, visitors leaving USS Forrestal (CVA-59) have one more look at the bow along with the two massive 30-ton anchors. You can see how far the overhang of the flight deck extends out from the hull looking to the left of the photo. Part of the ship's island can be seen, along with the SPS-43 air search radar antenna.

Official photo of USS Forrestal (CVA-59) underway, 1964.

An A-4E Skyhawk assigned to VA-81 "Sunliners" has just landed aboard Forrestal. Photo is dated August 1, 1964 but this may not be the actual date it was taken. This particular aircraft, BuNo 144912, was built as an A4D-2 (redesignated A-4B in 1962) and upgraded to A-4E standard.

Photo of USS Forrestal (CVA-59), taken in the late 1960s and signed by U.S. Senator and Presidential Candidate John S. McCain III while he was campaigning in the Harrisburg, Pa. area in 2008. "Dan Steele" (Lou Brassch) served on Forrestal at the same time that McCain was aboard.

A series of photos of USS Forrestal (CVA-59) as seen from the Soviet Project 61 (Kashin)-class DDG Krasnyi Krym (Red Crimea). Pictures taken on 15 April 1973 in the Kithira Strait, Mediterranean Sea.

Official US Navy photo taken at Thira, Greece on May 26, 1973. This formation on the flight deck, for the ship's first "People Day" of that deployment, was followed by a number of events, including swim call, a fishing expedition, games, and competition on the flight deck and Hangar Bay #1, and a steak cookout on the flight deck. (Thanks to Mark Elsbernd, aboard at the time, and to Ken Killmeyer, USS Forrestal Association historian, who helped identify this picture).

"Attack carrier Forrestal" (From a Russian publication).

This drawing shows Forrestal circa the mid-1970s, with SPS-30 and SPS-43A radars, and two Mk 25 launchers for the Sea Sparrow-based Basic Point Defense Missile System (BPDMS).

USS Forrestal (CV-59) underway with Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17) aboard, sometime in late 1977–early 1979 (perhaps during the April–October 1978 Cruise).

Official US Navy photograph.

(Thanks to Ken Killmeyer, USS Forrestal Association historian, who helped date this photo).

USS Forrestal (CV-59) underway during her 14th Med deployment, May 1978.

Official US Navy Photograph #KN-27673, by PH2 Jim Urick, from the DOD Still Media Records Center, Washington, DC.

At anchor in Suda Bay, Crete, June 1978. Photographed by PH2 Joe Sharp.

USS Forrestal (CV-59) underway, late 1970s–early 1980s, location unknown, completing a turn to starboard to bring her bow into the wind for aircraft launching, initially an F-4 Phantom on the port catapult and an S-3 Viking ASW aircraft on the starboard catapult. Other aircraft shown are A-6 Intruders, EA-6 Prowlers and SH-3 Sea King ASW helicopters; A-7 Corsair IIs can be seen on the angled flight deck.

An aerial starboard beam view of USS Forrestal (CV-59) underway in the Atlantic Ocean, April 1982. US Navy photo (DVIC id: DM-ST-83-01804).

Undergoing SLEP (Service Life Extension Program), Naval Shipyard, Philadelphia, Pa., April 1984.

Bob Hope and actress Ann Jillian entertain sailors and shipyard workers during a 30-minute show on board the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CV-59). Naval Shipyard, Philadelphia, Pa., 18 July 1984.

Defense Visual Information Center photo id: DN-SC-84-11723.

USS Forrestal (CV-59) departed Mayport, FL, on July 8, 1985 for refresher training and Phase I of her post SLEP shakedown. She operated in the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Puerto Rico Operating Areas and returned to Mayport on August 4.

Official US Navy photo by PH3 Bowie, July 1985.

(Thanks to Ken Killmeyer, USS Forrestal Association historian, who provided additional info).

Work-ups, February 1986.

After SLEP, Forrestal returned to Mayport and began preparations for her next major deployment, which began on 2 June 1986.

Underway in 1987, with three F-14s and an A-6 on her catapults.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH 97657-KN).

Note: Aircraft on waist catapult appears to be an EA-6B Prowler, rather than an A-6 Intruder.

Official US Navy photograph taken as USS Forrestal (CV-59) was passing through the Suez Canal, August 6, 1988. The crew is spelling out "108," the number of consecutive days at sea without a port call during this deployment, her 19th Med cruise, April 25–October 7. Of these 5.5 months, she spent only 15 days in port.

Another view, as above.

Mayport, Florida, 1989.

Atlantic Ocean, April 28, 1989 — The destroyer USS Hayler (DD-997) takes her place on the starboard side of the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CV-59) as the ships of the Forrestal's battle group change formation during the journey to New York City for Fleet Week '89. US Navy photo by PH3 Richard.

USS Forrestal (CV-59) lies at anchor in Upper New York Bay during the parade of ships at the start of Fleet Week '89 on 29 April 1989. U.S. Navy photograph by Chief Photographer's Mate Ed Bailey (DVIC id: DN-SN-90-09481).

The Statue of Liberty welcomed USS Forrestal (CV-59) as she visited New York for Fleet Week '89, on Saturday, 29 April 1989.

USS Forrestal (AVT-59). Atlantic Fleet Sales postcard.

USS Forrestal (AVT-59). Postcard.

USS Forrestal (AVT-59). Cars on board, date unknown.

Official US Navy photograph of USS Forrestal (AVT-59) underway in the Gulf of Mexico, 1992.

A port bow view of the training aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (AVT-59) moored at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, September 9, 1993. She was decommissioned two days later. Decommissioned battleships ex-USS Iowa (BB-61) and ex-USS Wisconsin (BB-64) can be seen in the left background. US Navy photo (DVIC id: DN-SC-93-06267) by Don S. Montgomery.

This photo was taken on a Family Day at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in 1993.

(Note bunting decorating the island and rails of the aircraft carrier. This indicates the photo was taken on or around September 11, 1993 — the day Forrestal was decommissioned).

Cover of the Decommissioning Booklet. Philadelphia, PA, September 11, 1993.

Ex-Forrestal at Newport, Rhode Island.

Bow view of ex-USS Forrestal at Newport, RI, Aug 2003.

Ex-Forrestal (foreground) and ex-Saratoga at Newport, RI, Aug 2003.

As above.

Ex-Saratoga (top) and ex-Forrestal at Newport, RI, sometime in 2002-2005.

Image courtesy of Google Earth.

The islands of the decommissioned Forrestal (ex-CV 59) and Saratoga (ex-CV 60). October 15, 2006.

USS Forrestal Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11, 2006 at the US Naval Complex Newport, RI, USA.

The island of ex-USS Saratoga is partly visible beyond Forrestal.

Pier view at the US Naval Complex Newport, RI, looking at the ex-USS Forrestal (left) and the ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60, right). Photo taken while at the Forrestal Veterans Day Ceremony held on November 11, 2006.