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The deck of the USS Forrestal
Fire on the Forrestal
Episode 3360 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the Tragedy on the USS Forrestal. The featured story is titled: The sad story of the Forrestal Fire. It appeared on the Aviation Geek Club website and was submitted by Dario Leone.
Leone reported that the Vietnam War was a defining chapter in American military history, and few places demonstrated the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of our Vietnam Veterans more dramatically than the flight decks of U.S. Navy aircraft carriers operating in the Gulf of Tonkin. These enormous warships carried hundreds of men, aircraft, jet fuel, and highly explosive weapons, making aircraft carrier fires among the most terrifying dangers faced by naval aviators and sailors.
The tragedy aboard USS Oriskany (CV-34) in October 1966 killed 25 pilots and 19 sailors and removed the carrier from combat for nine months. Other devastating incidents involving Zuni rockets occurred aboard USS Coral Sea and USS Hancock, demonstrating the deadly risks surrounding Vietnam-era naval aviation.
But the most catastrophic carrier fire occurred aboard USS Forrestal (CV-59) on July 29, 1967. A Zuni rocket accidentally fired during preparations for a combat launch, striking an A-4 Skyhawk and igniting aviation fuel across the flight deck. Within moments, several aircraft were engulfed in flames.
The disaster became even more deadly when aging World War II-era M65 bombs began detonating in the intense heat. Their explosions tore massive holes through the flight deck and sent burning fuel into the ship’s lower compartments. After approximately 12 hours of firefighting, 134 men had been killed, dozens of aircraft were destroyed or severely damaged, and Forrestal required an extensive and costly reconstruction.
The Forrestal disaster stands as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary courage of American sailors, pilots, firefighters, and deck crews during the Vietnam War. These men faced unimaginable danger while carrying out their missions under combat conditions.
Above all, we must never forget the greatness of our Vietnam Veterans. Whether serving in the cockpit, on the flight deck, below decks, or fighting fires, these brave Americans demonstrated courage, duty, sacrifice, patriotism, and unwavering commitment. Their service and sacrifices remain an enduring part of Vietnam War history and American military history.
Listen to episode 3360 and discover more about the Tragedy on the USS Forrestal.
