July 29, 1967 (Saturday)

The tragic fire began with the accidental launching of a Zuni rocket from a F-4B Phantom aircraft. This rocket launch was not the result of error on the part of the crew. The rocket streaked across the flight deck and struck the external fuel tank of an A-4E Skyhawk aircraft, spilling volatile aviation fuel across the flight deck. Within five seconds the fuel ignited, spreading under other aircraft loaded with ordnance and fueled for the second launch of that morning. Huge clouds of black smoke billowed three hundred feet into the air. Scores of flight deck personnel rushed to contain the spread of the flames from reaching thirteen adjoining aircraft all loaded with ordnance. In one minute and thirty-four seconds after the fire started, the first 1000 lb. bomb exploded. Flying shrapnel tore into other aircraft, ruptured more fuel tanks, and spread lakes of flaming aviation fuel over the deck. In a period of four minutes, seven major high order explosions shook the entire ship ripping seven huge holes through the thick armored steel flight deck with some reaching through the ship to the water line. Countless high and low order detonations continued. Some 40,000 gallons of jet plane fuel leaking from punctured aircraft fuel tanks, spread into holes ripped through the deck, spreading flames to many compartments far below the flight deck. Courageous fire fighting teams, officers, and enlisted men were knocked down, injured, or killed by the series of explosions. Rockets, missiles, and 20 mm shells shot across the flight deck, and ejection seats fired into the air. Twelve minutes after the last major explosion, but with minor explosions continuing, flight deck directors moved aircraft from near the island super structure while fire fighting teams kept the fire from advancing farther forward. Aircraft, some still in flames, were jettisoned in an effort to keep the fire from spreading. Fires continued out of control in the after part of the ship far into the night. Finally the fire was extinguished at 0400, 30 July 1967. Heroic crewmembers risked life and limb to battle the blaze, rescue fellow crewmembers and save their ship. The crew of over 5,000 men saved their ship. One Hundred Thirty-four crewmembers made the supreme sacrifice. One hundred sixty-one men were injured with sixty-four personnel sustaining severe injuries.

Steaming as a unit of Attack Carrier Striking Group 77.6 in company with the USS Rupertus (DD-851) and USS Henry W. Tucker (DD- 875) on Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin, sixty miles off the coast of North Vietnam on course 090 at 12 knots. Senior Officer Afloat is Commander Attack Carrier Striking Group 77.6, Rear Admiral Harvey P. Lanham embarked in Forrestal as Commander Attack Carrier Striking Group composed of USS Forrestal, USS Rupertus, with Commander Destroyer Division Thirty-Two embarked, and USS Henry W. Tucker. Tactical Officer in Command is Captain John K. Beling. Destroyers in screen 3C2 with USS Henry W. Tucker in station one and USS Rupertus in station two. Boilers 1B, 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B and Generators 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8 are on the line. General Condition of Readiness III and Material Condition Yoke are set throughout the ship.

0315	Man overboard.
0513	USS Forrestal secured from man overboard, USS Henry W. Tucker (DD-875) and USS Rupertus (DD-851) continuing man overboard search.
0544	USS Rupertus (DD-851) secured from man overboard search, rejoins USS Forrestal.
0600	Commenced combat air operations. Alpha strike, 37 aircraft.
0749	Forrestal completes launching her Alpha Strike.
0914	Completed recovering Alpha strike, all aircraft returning.
1034	Commenced launching two KA-3B Skywarrior aircraft.
1048	Launched KA-3B Skywarrior from catapult #2.
1049	Launched EA-1F Skyraider from catapult #1.
1050	E-2A Hawkeye spotted on Cat #1, KA-3B Skywarrior spotted on Cat #2.

1052	Zuni rocket accidentally launches, striking an A-4E Skyhawk spotted on port side. Fuel of center line fuel tank begins leaking. Fuel tank erupts. Called away fire parties to man fog foam stations. Called away General Quarters. All hands manning General Quarters stations, setting material condition Zebra throughout the ship.	Forrestal fire as viewed from flight deck.
1053.26	First 1,000-pound bomb explodes.
1053.36	Second and third 1,000-pound bombs explode.
1054.18	Fourth 1,000-pound bomb explodes.
1054.20	Missile streaks forward.
1055	Helicopter Angle 20 of HS-1, USS Oriskany (CVA-34) recovers first USS Forrestal crewmen from water.
1056	USS Oriskany (CVA-34) maneuvering to close on USS Forrestal.
1057	USS George K. Mac Kenzie (DD-836) maneuvering at 27 knots closing on USS Forrestal.
1102	USS Rupertus places motor whale boat in water, maneuvering to close on USS Forrestal.
1105	Helo Angle 20 recovers three more USS Forrestal survivors from water.
1108	Detonations have ceased. Movement of aircraft away from island commences.
1112	USS Rupertus (DD-851) maneuvering to take station on port quarter of USS Forrestal.
1114	USS Forrestal speed 7 knots.
1115	USS Forrestal commenced requesting medical assistance. USS Rupertus maneuvered to starboard quarter of USS Forrestal.
1117	All USS Forrestal crewmen trapped by smoke are instructed to move forward via hangar bay or second deck passageways.
1118	Helicopter Angle 20 recovered another USS Forrestal survivor, ammunition, equipment, and burning aircraft.
1120	USS Forrestal informed crew to take injured to forecastle for treatment.

Forrestal fire as viewed from miles away. (Larger image submitted by Alex Tatchin.)

1124	Captain Beling ordered all badly damaged aircraft to be pushed over the side.
1126	Recovered helo from USS Oriskany with medical assistance. Rocket magazine on port side 03 level is flooded to prevent further explosions.
1128	Detonation from aircraft along starboard side aft of elevator throws aircraft parts toward advancing fire fighters.
1129	USS Rupertus directing fire hoses on starboard aft flight deck, and two burning aircraft. USS George K. Mac Kenzie embarked three USS Forrestal survivors.
1133	Two helicopters from USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) proceeding to rescue USS Forrestal survivors from water.
1135	USS Rupertus (DD-851) directing fire hoses on hangar bay three areas.
1139	Five USS Forrestal men reported in water starboard side.
1141	USS Rupertus (DD-851) maneuvering clear of USS Forrestal's starboard side.
1142	Fires out on two burning aircraft on starboard side.
1144	USS Rupertus maneuvering to take station on USS Forrestal's port quarter.
1146	Intense fire reported in compartment at port quarter 01 and 02 level. USS George K. Mac Kenzie sights survivors in water.
1151	All ordnance on second deck bomb assembly area has been stowed in magazines.
1154	USS George K. Mac Kenzie embarked three USS Forrestal survivors.
1155	USS George K. Mac Kenzie proceeding alongside USS Forrestal to assist in fire fighting.
1158	One RA-5C Vigilante jettisoned from angled deck forward.
1200	Two USS Forrestal crewmen observed falling overboard.
1203	USS Rupertus maneuvering to maintain position on USS Forrestal's port quarter.
1204	USS Oriskany commenced lowering both motor whaleboats into water. USS Oriskany maintaining station 3,000 yards off USS Forrestal's starboard quarter.

U.S. Navy photograph.	Photos submitted by Robert M. Cieri.
NS025916.– The skipper of the destroyer USS Rupertus (DD-851), in what Rear Adm. Harvey P. Lanham, ComCarDiv Two, called an act of "magnificent seamanship," maneuvers his ship to within 20 feet of USS Forrestal (CVA-59) so fire hoses could be effectively used on the worst fire aboard a U.S. carrier. More than 130 crew were killed in the blaze 29 July 1967 off the coast of Vietnam.

1209	USS George K. Mac Kenzie maintaining station on USS Forrestal's starboard quarter.	NS025924 (above) & NS025928 (below.) Photos submitted by Alex Tatchin
1214	USS Rupertus alongside port quarter of USS Forrestal.
1215	USS Forrestal reports fire on flight deck out. USS George K. Mac Kenzie reports sighting survivors in water. USS Henry W. Tucker proceeding at 28 knots to join USS Forrestal. USS Samuel N. Moore (DD-747) directed to search for survivors.
1216	Nine USS Forrestal survivors reported in water.
1218	USS Bon Homme Richard conducting search for survivors of USS Forrestal.
1225	USS Rupertus concentrating hoses on after port five-inch gun mount and below.
1229	USS George K. Mac Kenzie alongside USS Forrestal's starboard side.
1245	Stubborn fires remain on 01, 02, levels Hangar Bay Three.
1254	Two major fires reported aft on port and starboard sides.
1309	USS Rupertus maneuvering to clear USS Forrestal.
1311	USS Rupertus commenced to form up search line for survivors.
1335	USS George K. Mac Kenzie maneuvering from USS Forrestal's fantail area to Hangar Bay Three area.
1342	USS Forrestal reports fires under control.
1343	USS George K. Mac Kenzie breaking off from USS Forrestal to recover her whaleboat.
1348	USS Forrestal reports fires in the 01, 02, and 03 level still burn, but that all machinery and steering is operational.
1349	USS Henry W. Tucker proceeding to join search for USS Forrestal survivors. USS Rupertus maneuvering to investigate debris in water for survivors.
1412	USS Forrestal reports after radio compartment evacuated. All fires extinguished on 01 level.
1445	USS Forrestal reports fire in Hangar Bay Three out.
1447	USS Forrestal reports compartment fires continue, but progress is being made. USS Forrestal commenced steaming to rendezvous with hospital ship USS Repose (AH-16).

NS025925.– Crewmen work feverishly to remove external fuel tanks and ordnance from burning an RA-5C Vigilante and other aircraft on the after section of USS Forrestal (CVA-59) during the worst fire aboard any US carrier. One hundred thirty-four crew were killed in the blaze on 29 July 1967 off the coast of Vietnam. U.S. Navy photo.

NS025915.– Crew members fight a series of fires and explosions on the carrier's after flight deck, in the Gulf of Tonkin, 29 July 1967. The conflagration took place as heavily-armed and fueled aircraft were being prepared for combat missions over North Vietnam. Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1124794) in the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

1510	USS Forrestal reports fire on starboard quarter.	NS025929.– This diagram was taken from a drawing provided by USS Forrestal and shows the location of CVW-17 aircraft spotted for launch moments before the fire broke out. From "Naval Aviation News," October 1967 issue.
1550	Commander Task Force 77 announced he is sending USS Forrestal to Subic Bay after USS Forrestal joins up with USS Repose.
1600	Holes cut in flight deck to allow fire hoses into 03 level compartments. Chlorine gas reported on 03 level starboard side at frame 214.
1639	USS Forrestal speed 20 knots.
1800	USS Forrestal speed 27 knots.
1844	USS Forrestal reports fires still burning.
1900	USS Forrestal speed 10 knots. Fire reported in compartment 03-222 starboard and port sides.
1907	Fire in compartment 02-210-1-L out of control.
1920	USS George K. Mac Kenzie proceeding to port quarter of USS Forrestal to affect fog foam and OBA Canisters.
2030	USS Forrestal reports fires on 02 and 03 levels are contained, but the area is still too hot to enter.
2033	USS Forrestal reports fires on 02 level are under control but fire fighting is greatly hampered by smoke and heat.
2054	USS Forrestal reports only fires on 02 level port side are still burning.
2141	USS Forrestal reports radio contact with USS Repose.
2253	USS Forrestal commenced transferring deceased and injured personnel to USS Repose.
2258	Forrestal commences maneuvering on various courses and speeds while maintaining station astern of Repose.
2306	Forrestal assumes tactical command of USS Bausell (DD-845).

NS025926.– Grimy and exhausted, crewmen of USS Forrestal and her airwing continue firefighting efforts in the aftermath of the blaze that killed 134 of their shipmates 29 July 1967. The ship was on station off the coast of Vietnam. In the background are what remains of a row of F-4B Phantoms that were parked along the starboard stern quarter. U.S. Navy photo.

NS025927.– Firefighters check the burned out hulk of an A-4E Skyhawk [from VA-106 "Gladiators"] destroyed in the worst fire aboard a US aircraft carrier. The fire erupted aboard USS Forrestal on 29 July 1967 as the carrier was on station off Vietnam and killed 134 of the ship's crew and airwing. U.S. Navy photo.

(Left) The aft, starboard pair of 5"/54 gun mounts as seen in April–May 1964, during New York City World's Fair (John N. Adriani Sr. Collection.) (Right) A view of the same area, after the July 1967 fire (Ken Killmeyer, USS Forrestal Association.)

Photos submitted by GS-12 Philip Creasor RVAH-11 (NAESU Rep)
1,000-pound bomb damage.	Aft port side.
Battery locker hole.	Remains of an F-4B Phantom.
SH-2A Sea Sprite helicopter tail.	Bomb damage.
Gun tub.	Jet Test Cell damage.
Looking down a hole.

Remarks at USS Forrestal Forty Year Memorial Tribute,
Farrier Fire Fighting School, Norfolk, VA, July 27, 2007
by Tom Wimberly, Captain, U.S. Navy (Retired)
(aboard July 29, 1967)


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