Where does our Navy find folks with such courage and character? When every fiber of their being would have them run away they run TOWARD the flames. Extraordinary. Simply extraordinary.
I remember watching a doco about this insident. It was narrowed down to the 'Remove Before Flight" tags not being seated properly in the ordinance electrical system.
Actually there are several circumstances that probably had to happen for this mishap to happen. Some theorize that the high winds on the safety flags may have blown the safety pins out. The records seem to indicate that there was an unofficial procedural change of removing the safety pins and hooking up the electrical harness prematurely that was a contributing factors.
A firefighter will fun into a burning building while everyone else is running out, but what kind of person does it take to run towards a fire that is about to detonate two bombs. That is scary.
@enomarekim It takes a person who can't walk on water to run toward a fire on a ship. That ship is your home and you are its protectors. The crew IS the fire dept. there was a fire squad on duty and all the flight deck personnel were trained firefighters as well. If they don't run back, hundreds more die and maybe the ship sinks. It's one of those deals where, you had to have been there to fully understand.
My dad was there and was actually declared dead. His work staition was where most of the immediate fatalities were and he had JUST gotten off duty and was trapped in the shower room for 3 days. The SNAFU was so bad that my grandmother was at the dock looking to claim him when he walked off and she ended up fainting.
I believe that was an RA-5 Vigilante. It's probably being disposed of because it's too damaged and they needed to clear the deck...seems like a damn waste to me, but that was the Navy in the 60's.
I believe that was a RA-5 Vigilante...must be too damaged to salvage and they pushed it over to clear the deck. Seems like a damn waste, but that was the Navy in the 60's...
I first saw this when I was in boot camp and have not seen it since...... John McCain was there on the flight deck when the first explosion occured. There were eight more of them.
@bwild61 He was not only on the flight deck, he was strapped into the first plane to get hit by the wayward missile. YOu remember like I do, "Trial by Fire"
Even though McCain had shrapnel wounds to the chest and legs (and probable lung damage from breathing in fire and smoke) he apparently helped rescue other crewmen (that were unable to egress themselves) and helped fight the fire
I remember this video when my idiot brother told me about how he was convinced of the 'real' explanation. When I went looking for these idiots that spouted this conspiracy, they turned out to be Ron Paultards.
I was aboard the aircraft carrier during the fire. My g. q. station was back aft. The explosions were right above our heads. The only thing we could do was to go out on the gun mount. There I faught fires for 18 hours before I got a break. The worst part of it all, was locating the bodies afterwards.
I grew up being VERY familiar with this fire. My father was serving on Forrestal during this period and I still have his cruise book when this fire occured, color and black and white. I 1st saw the film in bootcamp. I have a VHS copy of the film to this day.
ahhhhh reminds me of bootcamp. They still show this video, and probably will for god knows how long...my dad watched this video in bootcamp in like 79.
Quite the tragedy- my father was stationed on and flew off the Forrestal right before this accident, and when I showed him this youtube clip he couldn't watch it- he knew some of the pilots- sad after 42 years it still hurts. Thanks for posting.
First off i was in the navy for four years and trust me no one is to blame for the forstall accedant. it was a disfunctional battery charger that ignited a zune rocket. THATS ALL. thousands of sailors lost their lifes to defend the shp
Wow. You must know all the details of the ACCIDENT on the FORRESTAL that took the LIVES of 161 seamen. Because the first thing they do when you enlist in the Navy is brief you on all the accident reports and official findings throughout the Navy's history.
While MichaelAMoran was very off on the numbers. He was correct in the basics of the incident. Because of this accident everyone in the Navy is trained in firefighting. They were not prior to it, just a select few. During the firefighting training in basic, we were shown the film and shown all the things that were done wrong, and done correctly. They don't brief us on every incident, but they go into great detail on this one.
My father was part of the firefighting crew and survived. He said that for months he had nightmares and could still smell the stench of the burning bodies.
I have an uncle who was in forrestal, I used to look at the book they got about forrestal,crew,events,etc etc..Im sure every crew got one and the ship model,felt sorry couse we lost ours,my uncle nmae is pete valerio...good day
Before this accident firefighting was a specialized job for some people on a ship. After this everyone on a ship is now a trained firefighter. And there are people whose only job is firefighting. They are usually running the scene.
in the vid at 00:27, the A4 with fire around it (second from the right) is McCain's aircraft, so he was nowhere responsible for this mishap, he had to jump off the nose of that plane to escape to safety.
You had me until "I really wish someone with some legal expertise would find some way to file charges and prosecute them while they still are alive." Defending free speech means even defending speech you find objectionable or immoral.
"He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself." - Thomas Paine
rk6314: Thanks for demonstrating your ignorance of freedom of speech. The freedom of speech is not unlimited and does not come without boundaries or responsibilities. Freedom of speech does not cover slander, defamation, inciting violence; risking public safety by inducing panic (IE shouting fire in a crowded theater). The freedom of speech does not guarantee you the right to violate other peoples safety, freedoms, life or liberty.
got news for you there plenty doing it by calling people racist while they commit racist acts. freedom of speech gurantess your right to speak the truth. try to figure it out your brain washed
tomanyasses: I agree. However just because people are doing it, doesnt mean its legal or ethical. I think there needs to be reform in our society and in the election system. It should be easier to sue for slander and defamation. I think campaign commercials should also be held accountable to the truth in advertising laws; however from what I understand they are basically given pretty much a free pass.
You're right that it's not unlimited, but thanks for demonstrating your own ignorance on those limits. In the case of libel or slander against John McCain, there's only one person who can file charges against them, and that's John McCain. There is no mythical "someone" in this case.
rk6314: Once again youre demonstrating your own ignorance. Did I say that someone else should file charges? No. Im pointing out the hypocrisy/double standard; if there is a least bit of possible impropriety against a liberal there is a massive outcry and they sound like stuck pigs; yet when there is a clear case of slander like this there is hardly any outcry or support.
rk6314: In some cases the state can press charges. Also there could be congressional investigations; unfortunately the fascist liberals are hypocritical and apathetic. If the Liberals were victims of slander and voter fraud to the extent that the Republicans have been; I wouldnt be surprised if the media and politicians would be calling for congregational hearings or other types of investigations. The media is clearly biased.
rk6314: For something of this nature it would likely take a groundswell of support, lots of money, and a legal team that could figure out how to get a shot at Justice.
your also forgetting slander defamtion and inciting violence risking public safety is an opnion on weather that was done, again there is also the right to be wrong if you see smoke and flame and yell fire and it was small non dangerious the person can by opnion be held liable or not. again the person thought there was a dangerious fire and yelled it wich was his right. you forget it's all politices and money.
tomanyasses: AGAIN you make a false and dishonest assumption. Again your assertation is dishonest and misleading. Whether it is criminal or not is not based on your or the suspects opinion; its based on facts and logic ultimately to be judged by a court of law (on the Courts opinion) if the case is strong enough and if the enforcement and legal system is not derelict, incompetent or apathetic. The enforcement and legal system should decide not the perpetrator or public opinion.
tomanyasses: In McCains case (USS Forrestal Mishap) he already has been cleared by what is essentially the court of law; the mishap investigation. Since he has been cleared it is slander to try to blame him for the mishap.
tomanyasses: In the theater shouting fire scenario. What matters is not the perpetrators opinion, but facts. Was the theater in fact in on fire; if not, then the suspect can be held accountable of a crime if the suspect is sane.; if the suspect yelled fire because they were having delusions than they can be declared insane and institutionalized.If it was an honest mistake that was well-meaning then it should be thrown out or downgraded. If it was a prank or reckless, than it should be prosecuted
rk6314 you are pathetic. You are defending immoral and criminal behavior that is dishonest and hateful. Youre lucky to live in a country that has as much freedom as you do; its pathetic that people like you have abuse the freedom illegally to spread lies, hate and ignorance. It is pathetic that people like you try to exploit this terrible tragedy for your own greed.
My father in law was aboard the Forrestal when the fire happened. He was in sick bay with John McCain after the incident. This past weekend I went to SEE the Forrestal in Newport RI. It is docked in the Navy base there aside the Saratoga. I have pics/info if anyone is interested, contact me.
I was Navy Reserve in 1971 and heard many stories about this incident. It shows just how hazardous carriers are. Today they are still hazardous but the hard lessons of the past have improved safety today. Accidents still happen but it is just the nature of the beast and there is no way to avoid it.
I dont agree with political slander either way, and as a Navy Vet I do respect McCain. It is a shame that this incident occured, but if it wouldnt have the Navy probably would have never reevaluated its fire fighting procedures. Those men on that carrier were fighting themselves and the fire. They were bieng conterproductive kinda like campaign smudges.
I read a great book about this called "Sailors To The End"; another problem here was that many of the bombs were WWII era ordnance, the explosive in them unstable and more prone to heat and shock, considered much more sensitive than the modern '60s bombs. As for McCain, he did nothing to cause this-it was his plane that was HIT by the Zuni rocket, NOT the one that accidentally fired it.
i am a huge pinko liberal, but i agree 100% with you on this case. im kind of shocked to think people would somehow blame this fire on mccain.... i guess elections cause a form of temporary insanity in some people.
No footage exists of the aircraft firing the missile. The footage you're talking about was taken from a Zuni launch test done in August. If you notice in that footage, the aircraft (F-4B with wings folded) is pointed out to sea.
boringdull: What you say is misleading at best. You seem to be confusing the tests with the mishap. During the mishap aircraft were facing inward, during the tests that aircraft were pointing out word. I cant remember if there is any footage showing the aircraft itself tarring missile; however I saw some video that was in better condition that showed the missile smoke trail the instant or the instant after the first explosion and fire from the missile from the area where the F-4s were staged.
boringdull: I think there was even a documentary on the Discovery Channel, the history Channel or an the National Geographic Channel; that publicly showed the video. I cant remember if the aircraft that fired a missile was in the frame or not, however the smoke trail from the missile was clearly evident and with a little enhancement I think there was a hint of the missile itself. The missile was traveling so fast that the missile really wasnt identifiable.
boringdull: All of F-4s in this video are facing inward. The only aircraft that is facing outward in this video is one RA-5C Vigilante. Perhaps you think the vigilante in the video is an F-4 or perhaps youre confusing file video of tests. To laymen or at first glance they are very similar however with a good look they are clearly different. I dont know if you just made an honest mistake or if youre deliberately trying to be misleading.
boringdull: See the diagram of the aircraft placement on the deck that is at Wikipedia. The only aircraft in this video that is facing outwards is one of the RA-5C Vigilante (603). That is clearly not the aircraft that fired the missile, its facing the wrong direction and is not bore sighted. The aircraft that fired the missile was the F-4B (110), the aircraft that were hit were A-4Es (405 & 416). As you can clearly see the layout F-4B (110) is bore sighted on A-4Es (405 & 416)
To be clear, I'm talking about the footage of the Zuni test where the aircraft used in the test was pointed out to sea. The color test footage was included in the NAVY's film about this mishap.
Even if the F-4 was behind McCain and he did wet start his A-4, it would not have started the fire. The Zuni rocket pod is about 2 1/2 feet off the deck and the A-4 tailpipe is almost 6 feet from the deck. At start up, the engine's RPM is still low and a fire ball would only travel about 20 feet and rise upward. So there is no way that McCain could have started the fire.
According to McCain in Faith of Our Fathers by Mark Salter....the zuni rocket did indeed hit his A-4. McCain narrowly escaped by breaking out of his cockpit and climbing down the nose and across the refueling rod of his plane...then he jumped 10 feet to the deck and rolled through the flames. This is not widely known....my husband is 22 years in the Navy and has served on ships and received fire/safety training....studied the Forrestal...and only recently did he learn that McCain was involved!
When in Boot Camp a EM1 who was on the forestal told us about the fire. Yes the missile from the F4 started the fire and explosion. I met McCain when I was in the USNR in Arizona - until recently I did not know it was his plane next to the one the missile hit.
That's not correct, is it? the A-4s look like they are facing inboard, and Mccain's plane was not "next to" the F-4. According to other Documentaries I have watched, the missle went past severl planes before hitting McCain's A-4. Am I wrong? Just asking.
Stovepipe2222: you are incorrect. I think you misread or miscomprehended thwood8s statement.
The F-4 started the fire by shooting the Zuni rocket. The Zuni rocket hit McCains A-4 and or the A-4 next to McCain. Other causes that allowed this event to happen was that armaments were armed and hooked up to the data bus; contrary to standard safety procedure.
Stovepipe2222: The F-4 was switching from APU two main power that inadvertently caused a surge in voltage or an EMP which triggered the missile to fire without being commanded.
Thwood8 did not say the A-4s were facing the sea, nor did he say McCains A-4 was next to the F-4. Please try to follow.
Stovepipe2222: NP. We all misread and misinterpret things sometimes; unfortunately it is very rare that people have the honor to admit it and apologize. It makes a lot of people hot under the collar that some people exploit a tragedy like this to smear a war veteran and POW; thusly disrespecting/cheapening everyone in this tragedy and in the military.
That is correct. the planes all face inward so they can taxi for launch. The plane that lost it's missile was on the right, or starboard side of the flight deck, McCain's was on the port, or left side. The missile shot across the deck and hit his. I was on the Forrestal 77-80, worked on the flight deck refueling planes. I have a good working knowledge of what happens on deck.
Rockinredneck57, in another youtube video "USS Oriskay Pt.I" , there is Vietnam-era footage of the USS Oriskay (which McCain served on after the Forrestal),
and at 5:19 in the video there is a shot of a jet taking off from the carrier deck...with another jet clearly lined up directly behind it.
AtomicCrabMonster: Thats irrelevant and does not contradict what Rockinredneck57 said. On the contrary if you look closely (with an educated mind) it verifies what he says. There is a blast doors were it the separates the two aircraft, after the aircraft in front is launched you can see the blast doors drop. The blast doors prevent the jet wash from damaging the aircraft is behind the first.
I was there Aug 67 when forestal was buring. Helos flew, destroyers drew near. Heros by the score. Fire bottles and hose teams wiped out, to be replaced by others,men running hand-carts with cooking bombs, rockets flying down the deck. medical dept shareing body parts to keep dowm missing presumed dead,every widow or mom got some thing back
Mccain flew another day from another carrier
we took a last run to north vietnam and almost got are ass's shot off 4-real, see dextor goads films
Just a little known fact: I was on a tin can behind the Forrestal when the fire occured. Sadly. earlier that morning, Forrestal lost a man overboard and he was not recovered.
My father was the radioman on the Forrestal when this incident happened. He passed away in 1972. The "Forrestal blowing up" was an indcident that lives with us a Navy family to this day. I remember a good friend from high school remarking about seeing the training films in 1982, sitting at our kitchen table looking at the "year book" that my father had about his tour on the ship. I had never seen this video until a few weeks ago when Fox Reality did a show about "Terror on the job".
This incident is not about Obahama or McCain its about this: Prior ot the fire on this ship, all fire fighting attack was either water or foam. We learned that either you use one or the other but never both together. After this incident the Fire Service changed the way it attacked fuel fed fire. This was a painfull reminder that use either foam or water but never at the same time. We learned from this incident. Its not politics its learning from our fire fighting mistakes.
toxic avenger: Very much of what you say is very true. However it is possible to use foam and water at the same time, but it has to be in a way to prevent the water from washing away of the foam. The fire crews knew that, unfortunately most of the fire crews were killed or injured fighting the fire during the first explosion. So untrained people were fighting the fire. This mishap proved there was a need to have ALL crewmen (better) trained in firefighting.
toxic avenger: There was many mistakes made and many things done correctly that day. This video is used as an example of what not to do and what to do. Though they made many mistakes that led up to this mishap, they heroically fought the odds, and their heroic efforts stopped the fire and saved many lives and the ship. It shows the value of teamwork and coordination under the worst of conditions. This video is studied by a whole slew of different type of experts.
toxic avenger: At higher resolution you can see the faint smoke trail from the missile that was fired from the F-4 causing McCain's plane to burst into flame. Eyewitness testimony as well as the physical evidence proves that the missile triggered the fire. The fascist liberals don't care about the facts, the truth; they just want to promote their lies and hatred.
toxic avenger: It is truly evil that fascist liberals are trying to take a historical training film of a tragedy and use lies to spin it to promote their hateful greedy fascist agenda to smear a veteran and POW. It is disrespectful of all our serviceman. It shows that the fascist liberals will go to no end to try to steal the election again. Fascist liberals use lies and exploit tragedies to advance their hateful greedy agenda.
toxic avenger: Those that are hateful and stupid enough to say McCain started this fire; then they are probably the same kind of morally bankrupt nuts that claim missiles brought down the WTC.
My dad Richard M. Sietz was killed that day while fighting the fire on the flight deck. Thank you to all who tried to save lives that day. I'm working with "The Moving Wall" and it's visit to Harrisburg PA Sep. 19, 20 & 21, 2008 in honor of my Father. All within travel distance are welcome to attend. I was born August 26,1967 I never met my dad but, hear he was an awesome person with a great sense of humor. He was my guardian Angel!
Sharonsietz: In the context you are using "Forrest Fire" I don't think I consider it to be offensive. However there are many survivors and family members that become enraged referring to this tragedy as "Forrest Fire". It largely depends on the context, such as in a disrespectful, trivialization or a joking manner or as political smear for political or and financial gain
This was such a horrible trajedy, and just reading that people are blaming McCain for this makes me so frustrated. Of course, politics always comes back to bite you and in this case McCains presence during the Forerestal Fire, turned into a hot political debate. This was just a terrible accident. McCain was lucky enough he wasnt killed and brave enough to attempt rescuing others.
Anyone who disagrees with me should read his book, Faith of my Fathers. I have so much more respect for him now.
Not to trivialize the heroic actions of the sailors who saved as much as they could, many paying the ultimate price, bu will someone explain why McCain - he who would not leave the Hanoi Hilton leaving his buddies behind - acceded to being removed from the Forretal as the only unhurt survivor.
Ronh1936 "acceded to being removed from the Forretal as the only unhurt survivor"
You're a liar. You are promoting the Fascist Liberal lies to smear McCain. McCain was injured; he was struck in the legs and chest by shrapnel, if I recollect properly he also received some light strains/sprains and some light flash burns from burning fuel and exploding bombs.
Ronh1936: McCain downplayed these injuries because he didn't want to convalesce or be put on safe duty; instead he wanted to get back into the fight on the front lines. McCain could've probably convalescent or received light safe duty. Instead he was a hero because he volunteered to go from this terrible tragedy right back into front-line combat. What stinks is pathological liars like you that try to exploit tragedies like this for your own greed.
Ronh1936: What the GP fails to appreciate is that McCain may have helped save others by saving himself by using good egress techniques. Egress scientists have studied this video and use McCain as an example of proper egression. This video and McCains egression techniques has probably saved many crews lives.
You obviously have no clue what you are talking about. You seem to be a fascist liberal political activist.
Ronh1936: SAR is often more dangerous than combat missions. If I remember my statistics correctly less than 3% of crews are fished out of aircraft that have crashed; most that survive get out on their own accord. Often SAR crews are injured or killed trying to find, and rescue survivors and suppress the fires/explosions.
Ronh1936: In comparison there was pilot Dave Dollarhide that was near McCain's airplane, Dave fractured his spine jumping from his aircraft. Taking him off flight status in putting other crews in jeopardy to rescue him. McCain largely came out a hero and smelling like a rose in this incident because his actions lowered the risk to his fellow crewman. It is pathetic that pathological liars with political and financial motives are saying the contrary.
Ronh1936: Egression scientists use Dave as example of what not to do and McCain as an example of what to do. Crews are now taught how to jump from aircraft now; to minimize impact injuries and fire injuries. On aircraft that have pitot tubes or antennas, crews are now taught to hang drop from them when possible to minimize the fall distance.
Ronh1936:If I recollect correctly McCain minimized his injuries from falling and fire by egressing over the radar cone. When you land after jumping from an aircraft, it tends to knock the wind out of you, and instinctively you inhale; which is a very bad situation when you're engulfed in flames because it doesn't take very much fire to be inhale to kill you.
Ronh1936: McCain was able to minimize the damage to his lungs, and I think he only suffered minor strains or sprains from the jump, thanks to the techniques he used.
Contrary to what you say; you obviously are trivializing the sailors lives because you are trying to exploit this tragedy to spin it with lies for your own selfish greedy hateful reasons. May you burn for eternity you fascist.
I read his book, Faith of my Fathers, and read about this. It kills me that people would try to blame McCain for this. It was a huge trajedy. thats all it was.
Obama..no achievements. The one clear decision was in 2007 to SURRENDER AMERICAN FORCES in Iraq. Turn over country to Al Queda, turn over all our friends there to certain death. Give the oil wealth of Iraq to our enemies to be used in further war against us.
I agree. If you disagree with McCain regarding his political views, then fine. But don't trivialize his service to this country or disrespect the many lost men such as those shown dying in this video.
I don't like some of McCain's policies, but now after reading up about him, he has been through a whole lot. This Forrestal fire, then five and a half years of being a prisoner in Vietnam, with tortures that left him permanently hindered.
wow i guess when im at my grandparents house on july 29th they will be in memorial of this then celebrating my b-day on that day...:( my b-day is that day
Life is the ultimate IQ test. If McCain could figure out a way to escape from that inferno, he is first in his class. If he goes back to aid in the rescue, he deserves some of the adulation directed at Obama.
I can't believe people think this was McCains fault. His plane was on the opposite side to the one that fired the rocket. He was lucky he wasn't blow too pieces.
OK, time to put this to bed. John McCain was a young Naval Aviator when this accident, and that is all it was, occurred. I have actually seen other videos of him jumping from his aircraft into the flames to get out. He then, according to reports, attempted to go back to rescue those injured by the first explosion and was pulled back by several firemen.
No conspiracy, no murder, simply an unfortunate accident. Respect the service.
According to military records aircraft 410-A4E fired a 5-inch Mk-32 "Zuni" rocket when it switched from external to interal power, The missile struck aircraft 405-A4E which was beside 416-A4E. This was in no way the fault of John McCain in fact the man was lucky to have escaped with out injury. To those of you who wish to slander a person perhaps you need more information, Or as the old saying goes, "Its better to be though of as an idiot than to speak and remove all doubt".
Thank you for posting this video. My idiot brother who's a conspiracy nut, never votes, says all radio commentators are closeted homos; told me about this latest smear tonite. I knew it was crap from my memory of seeing this video years ago. Glad my memory is still sharp from proper documentaries.
i lived in san diego '69-'72. a nicer group of guys you'll never meet. i love our military especially the navy. god bless our military,allies and friends.
Squirelbutt: This video clearly debunks your fascist spammers lies and slander. The timeline of the video and the locations of the fire clearly debunks shows that the slanders that are spamming the wet start story are lying. The video clearly shows that there wasn't any fire around aircraft that shot McCain's aircraft. The aircraft that fired the missile was on the other side of the deck with no fire around it as this video clearly shows. You are slandering a war veteran and POW with lies
Squirelbutt: Your claim to be an "ex A-4 Plane captain" is unfathomable for several reasons. You're not using the proper language. You're slandering and defaming a war veteran and POW in good standing. If you were an "ex A-4 Plane captain" then you would know that this video clearly debunks your wet start lie. You are a fraud, because as the video shows there was no fire around the aircraft that fired the rocket shot McCain's aircraft even after McCain's aircraft is on fire.
Squirelbutt: You are clearly ignorant of military aviation. You liars and spammers that are slandering war veterans and POW's for your own political and financial gain (greed) and lack of morality is evidence why people should not vote for liberals or Ron Paul.
If you were then you should know that this mishap was not triggered by a wet start it was triggered by a voltage surge or EMP from switching from the EPU to main power, with a possible gang start as a contributing factor and the lack of safety procedures adherence by the ground crews. All of the official and independent accident investigations are clearly contrary of your wet start lies. This video clearly shows you are a liar.
You are clearly a shill, a liar and a slanderer. You are such lowlife scum that you slander a war veteran and POW that is in good standing. It is evident that you are one of the many fascist liberal or Ron Paul spammers that is trying to slander better and more honorable political opponents.
McCAIN is a TRADER! He should be given the same treatment as Saddam Hussein when he got home. In 2000: President Bush and Karl Rove said "He gave up American secrets during his capture" He should have been willing to die for his country. RAT
ProudAmer08: On the contrary, you are a traitor. You are betraying America by spamming lies and slander against a war veteran and POW in good standing. I will not vote for liberals or Ron Paul because fascist like you support attacks on their political opponents with lies and slander. And that you are such lowlife scum they you are willing to lie and slander to support racists, appeasers, isolationists, anti-American's ect...
McCain was no traitor. Google David Wheat and McCain. LCDR David Wheat was my CO in the Navy and he was a POW for 7 1/2 years in Vietnam. I've never known a more upright and gentle man than LCDR Wheat. He was there when John McCain came into the camp. He supports him as do 23 other POWs who were with him there. There's no way he'd support McCain if he were a traitor. If you don't want to vote for him, fine. Just stop spreading BS.
It is believed by many crewmen and those who have investigated the case that McCain deliberately "wet-started" his A-4E to shake up the guy in the plane behind his A-4. "Wet-starts", done either deliberately or accidentally, shoot a large flame from the tail of the aircraft. In McCain's case, the "wet-start" apparently "cooked off" and launched the Zuni rocket from the rear F-4 that touched off the explosions and massive fire. The F-4 pilot was reportedly killed in the conflagration.
mujaku: You are clearly a spammer and a liar and a slander that is such greedy and selfish scum low life that you slander war veterans and POWs in good standing. As the real experts, have proven and as this video clearly shows your attempt to try to blame McCain for the forestall mishap with a wet start is clearly impossible since the video clearly shows there is no fire around the aircraft that shot the rocket.
mujaku: May all you spammers that lie and slander rot in hell, especially scum like you that smear war veterans and POWs for your own greed and political gain. It is evident that you are one of the many fascist liberal or Ron Paul spammers that is trying to slander better and more honorable political opponents. Its fascists like you that you smear tactics to try to assassinate political opponents is one of many reasons I wouldn't vote for liberals or Ron Paul. You are dishonest, hateful scum.
There was no plane behind McCain, just the edge of the flight deck and deep water. Trust me, the crew doesn't want to be anywhere near the exhaust of a plane. I felt it from a distance many times in 3 plus years. Folks who are saying things should have a little understanding of how the flight deck is set up and how the planes are positioned and why.
I was stationed on USS Independence CV-62 (1993-1995, a Forrestal Class Carrier. I was V-1 Division, flight deck crew. This was shown to us a training on several occasions. It's scary to think how easily something like this could happen. Many props to the men who fought the fire and deepest simpathy to those who lost love ones. RIP Shipmates.
Not only was the bombs WWII surplus. They were all sold for scrap before Nam started big time and the empty bomb casing had to be bought back from the scrap delaers at very higher prices. Don't know if thesse bombs went through this process. But a lot in the early days went thought that process.
What's sad is that at the time, most sailors were not properly trained to fight a fire. Now as us sailors are trained to deal with the basics of being a sailor. I remember watching this video in training and I knew what it was about.
Just remember that the Navy is better off now than back then.
Shortie....it's all relative. Some things were better back then and some things are better today. I joined the navy in 67 and did two years on active duty on a can. I was watching that PBS show "Carrier" and I was flabbergasted at how much the navy has changed. Back in the day we were told to do something and we did it. There wasn't any counseling nor did we have women on board. I think that's a huge distraction. Some of the mistakes of yesterday have saved lives throught the years.
What's your opinion of why these dangerous, obsolete, overweight bombs were allowed on both the Forrestal and Enterprise? They mounted 1,000 pound bombs on racks rated for 500 pounds, setting up this disaster.
Eajayu: Lack of money/appropriations was a big factor. IMAO the bombs should have been FIFO inventory as part of logistics. Unfortunately there is the tendency for people to want to use the shiniest and newest equipment first so unfortunately FIFO is not always observed. The older bombs should have FIFOed, decommissioned or used on B-52 strikes.
Eajayu: I really don't know if your allegations of exceeding the rack ratings are true (sounds fishy). You should support your claims with some links to credible sources. Even if the racks were not certified for the weight I doubt it was a contributing factor because the racks are designed to handle several Gs & this was only one G conditions so they should have been able to hold the weight easily
The bombs started falling on the deck not because of weight restrictions but because the fire
Eajayu: The thing that precipitated/caused the mishap was having the weapons armed by removing the safety pins (deliberately or by the wind) and by hooking up the weapons electrical harness contrary to official procedure, violating safety standards. A contributing factor allegedly may have been gang starting aircraft increasing the odds of an electrical voltage surge or EMP.
Eajayu: The use of the lighter thin skin bombs made the tragedy much worse because it lessened the time that they could resist the heat and explosions.
Im watching the documentary on National Geographic right now,its called Aircraft carrier explosion,very interesting and in depth look at the forrestal
Simply amazing - thank you for posting this video.
This event was referenced in the commentary to "Act of Contrition" (Battlestar Galactica, Season 1, Episode 4) as inspiring a similar event in the storyline. During an on-deck celebration of one pilot's 1000th landing, a comm drone falls to the deck (due to a frayed holding strap), shoots towards the pilots, and explodes.
I watched that film several times when I joined the Navy in early 1970. It was a safety training film. What I never understood, after training and working as an avionics technician, is that guns and ordinance are disabled once an aircraft sits on its landing gear. Ships are better designed today to deal with fires as a result of the Forrestal tragedy.
seairescue: That's quite strange. I can't help but be skeptical of your claims to be an aviation tech. It's not like lowering the gear disconnects the main bus. The cockpit triggering switches may be disabled. However a voltage surge or EMP pulse can overwhelm the weapon systems, without going through the cockpit controls. That's one of the many reasons that weapons shouldn't have the connector on, and the firing pins removed until the plane is ready to launch and pointed to the sea.
seairescue: It's much like the safety on a gun. The safety may prevent you from pulling the trigger, however if you drop the gun it could ram the pin, bolt, or slide into the primer. So in order to carry a gun safely, the chamber should be empty. I don't normally carry a gun with a round in the chamber, otherwise you could have a mishap like the airline pilot did a few days ago that discharged a round in the cockpit.
The plane wasn't grounded properly and the spark caused the rocket to fire. The foam was washed away by the water being used in error. The hatches below weren't closed and secure causing the fire to spread and clutter, oily rags and such fed the fire below. What a mess! Not McCain's fault..just weird that it was his plane that was hit....like he's cursed or something. I wasn't gonna vote for him anyway, but I didn't know they were talking about the USS Forrestfire 'til today.
My ex was on the USS Forrest-fire. It's haunted. Sailors would pay good money to get out of night watches in certain areas known for weirdness...such as disconnected phones ringing and ghost sightings. The VP-62 hangar at NAS Jax is also haunted with ghosts, slamming doors and toilets flushing reported on the night watch. Fun was had. I wouldn't say McCain was at fault...more like cursed. Damn, I thought I had a rough time in the Navy! Whatever, I wasn't gonna vote for him anyway.
as a former member of vf-103 which was attached to the FORRESTAL, i take great exception in using the term "forest Fire"... it is, imho, a slap and disrespectful jab at the brave crew members that were responsible for saving many lives, and this great ship, as well. one who has never experienced life on the flite deck of an aircraft carrier, knows nothing of the inherrent and constant dangers that are present... therefore, careless and derogatory comments are not welcome... mike...
Thanks for the sermon. Jokes like that are gallows humor and have nothing to do with anyone disrespecting dead swabbies. I was in the navy long before you and we called her the Fire-Stall, Zippo, etc. Ease up.
It is very sad that we have turned into such a petty society that we use something like the Forrestal to open wounds for many that would like to forget. To those who respect our country and choose to heal and support our Soldiers, THANK YOU!!!! For those who have nothing better to do but piss and moan about who did what, what is wrong with this country, and chose not to do anything positive for OUR country. I ask you nicely PLEASE LEAVE!
It is very unfortunate that this is event was used as a form of slander in a political campaign. As a daughter of a Forrestal Survivor, I have seen the life long damage this tragedy has caused. Speaking with my father, for as much as he will discuss the topic, has stated that there is no one person to blame for the events that occurred on July 29,1967.
Thanks for posting this. You're correct that some low-life types try to use this to smear Mc. He did nothing wrong. In fact, he jumped out his plane and helped others. He was lucky to live. Regardless of his politics, he is a better candidate than Hill or Obama.
The full video of this accident is available on You tube I believe, and also at AlexParkisinn. This is part of the actual Carrier video. Tragedy, I believe McCain considered ejecting, but then decided falling back into the flames was not a good idea. Mixing foam and water also caused problems, as the foam was wahed away.
Jon McCain had no role in causing this accident. On a plane directly across the deck, a locking pin that holds a missile in place was blown off by the wind. An electrostatic discharge caused the missile to release, it fired and McCains plane took the hit. McCain did nothing wrong, he was simply waiting to taxi.
It was a freak accident caused partially by ground crew not following procedures (which called for TWO locking pins to be in place until taxi time. Ground crew did not follow procedure.
jilllyy: I guess it never occurred to you genius, that the safety pins are removed before flying. Unless you want a volunteer to climb out on the wing in-flight to remove the safety pins so the weapons can go hot. ;)
I would like to thank all of the people who have served this country. I try to thank every soldier I see. We should forget politics. Many verterans left comments here. Thanks to all of you.
I saw this many times in boot camp, fire fighting school near Miramar and Surface Preparation and Preservation Class. Yes, the Navy taught me how to paint the Navy Way. I was a sonarman on tin cans from 72-78 and my personal encounter with USS Forrestal occured in mid 78 when I found the Soviet Echo II shadow that was observing an ASW exercise with us, the Forrestal and an FBM sub out of Charleston.
my father was one of the men that survived. he has told me many stories about the fire, since i was a little girl. when i got older and i saw the video footage.. i got a mental picture of what he went through. im thankful he survived!
McCain was lucky. Video of this disaster is shown to all upon beginning fire training. The CAG should have been blamed for allowing crews to arm the Zunis before aircraft were attached to the cats. I don't think he ever got blamed though.
justbuildthefence: I have mixed feelings about McCain's politics. However as a veteran I have very much respect for him. He was a victim of this wartime tragedy. Did he whine and cry and make a big spectacle like you are about it? No. Despite this mishap he volunteered to go right back into battle, and shortly after that he had the misfortune of being shot down. Yet you want to insinuate he is a murderer in this mishap.
Where does our Navy find folks with such courage and character? When every fiber of their being would have them run away they run TOWARD the flames. Extraordinary. Simply extraordinary.
wrkiser 1 year ago 4
I served aboard this ship, and It broke my heart to see all those men killed.
Unfortunately, I was on her from 1956 to 1959, long before she had this
incident. She was a fine ship, the good USS Forrestal CVA-59.
Here I am now, 72 yeaars old, and I truly miss my time on her.
God Bless the US Navy, and All Who Serve.
John RM2
tailspin37 1 year ago 4
I remember watching a doco about this insident. It was narrowed down to the 'Remove Before Flight" tags not being seated properly in the ordinance electrical system.
zargnop 1 year ago
@zargnop
Actually there are several circumstances that probably had to happen for this mishap to happen. Some theorize that the high winds on the safety flags may have blown the safety pins out. The records seem to indicate that there was an unofficial procedural change of removing the safety pins and hooking up the electrical harness prematurely that was a contributing factors.
ATFSCrash 1 year ago 5
A firefighter will fun into a burning building while everyone else is running out, but what kind of person does it take to run towards a fire that is about to detonate two bombs. That is scary.
enomarekim 1 year ago
@enomarekim It takes a person who can't walk on water to run toward a fire on a ship. That ship is your home and you are its protectors. The crew IS the fire dept. there was a fire squad on duty and all the flight deck personnel were trained firefighters as well. If they don't run back, hundreds more die and maybe the ship sinks. It's one of those deals where, you had to have been there to fully understand.
rockinredneck57 1 year ago
My dad was there and was actually declared dead. His work staition was where most of the immediate fatalities were and he had JUST gotten off duty and was trapped in the shower room for 3 days. The SNAFU was so bad that my grandmother was at the dock looking to claim him when he walked off and she ended up fainting.
friskycake 1 year ago
What's that bird they're sinking at the very end of the video?
And why do they "dispose" it that way in the first place?...
panayiotis131 1 year ago
I believe that was an RA-5 Vigilante. It's probably being disposed of because it's too damaged and they needed to clear the deck...seems like a damn waste to me, but that was the Navy in the 60's.
macgriffyn 1 year ago
I believe that was a RA-5 Vigilante...must be too damaged to salvage and they pushed it over to clear the deck. Seems like a damn waste, but that was the Navy in the 60's...
macgriffyn 1 year ago
I first saw this when I was in boot camp and have not seen it since...... John McCain was there on the flight deck when the first explosion occured. There were eight more of them.
bwild61 2 years ago
@bwild61 He was not only on the flight deck, he was strapped into the first plane to get hit by the wayward missile. YOu remember like I do, "Trial by Fire"
rockinredneck57 1 year ago
@rockinredneck57
Even though McCain had shrapnel wounds to the chest and legs (and probable lung damage from breathing in fire and smoke) he apparently helped rescue other crewmen (that were unable to egress themselves) and helped fight the fire
ATFSCrash 1 year ago
I remember this video when my idiot brother told me about how he was convinced of the 'real' explanation. When I went looking for these idiots that spouted this conspiracy, they turned out to be Ron Paultards.
Wyrmshadow 2 years ago
I was aboard the aircraft carrier during the fire. My g. q. station was back aft. The explosions were right above our heads. The only thing we could do was to go out on the gun mount. There I faught fires for 18 hours before I got a break. The worst part of it all, was locating the bodies afterwards.
thecroffs 2 years ago
my grandfather was there
MmgtasanandreasMm 2 years ago 13
As was mine. Then FN Roberts was a lucky man to have not been in his berthing at the time...which was on the o3 level near the arresting gear.
A lot of very brave men fought to save Forrestall. Kudos to father and grandfathers who were there.
vaughnteper 2 years ago
I grew up being VERY familiar with this fire. My father was serving on Forrestal during this period and I still have his cruise book when this fire occured, color and black and white. I 1st saw the film in bootcamp. I have a VHS copy of the film to this day.
73XBFalcon 2 years ago
I served on her from 74 to 77 Wonder if the plaque is still in the hanger bay.
dickcbj 2 years ago
ahhhhh reminds me of bootcamp. They still show this video, and probably will for god knows how long...my dad watched this video in bootcamp in like 79.
Jerzeslugga 2 years ago
The crash Chief that died in the explosion was from a town I recruitd in and I ended up putting his son in the Navy.
I was doing his paperwork and looking at his birth cert I saw that he was born in Ports naval hosp and I was like"Hey, you're a navy brat!"
Then I see his dads name and rate and Im like, Hey, I'm an ABH as well" then it hit me!!
I get orders to the forrestal 2 years later and I bump into him down in the galley.
Coincidences to the maximus.
jaxxboss 2 years ago
I'm ex-navy too. this film with additional
footage at statr and end is used at
many firefighting training sessions! humm.... is trere footage of the USS Iowa
explosion circa 1989?
Zardoz70062 2 years ago
Wow ....he's lucky the fuel probe wasn't slippery since it looks like that's what he used to get enough distance to survive.
Icepacalapse 2 years ago
my father was on this boat.
chantedandenslanted 2 years ago 2
I saw this at Naval Station Great Lakes,IL during basic training...terrifying.
publica74 2 years ago
we are shown this film in boot camp.the lesson is that despite bad luck and perhaps procedural errors this crew persevered and overcame
hareronjack 2 years ago 2
Selfless acts of heroism and ultimate sacrifice.
RickyJ46 2 years ago 23
Quite the tragedy- my father was stationed on and flew off the Forrestal right before this accident, and when I showed him this youtube clip he couldn't watch it- he knew some of the pilots- sad after 42 years it still hurts. Thanks for posting.
sheracad 3 years ago 3
First off i was in the navy for four years and trust me no one is to blame for the forstall accedant. it was a disfunctional battery charger that ignited a zune rocket. THATS ALL. thousands of sailors lost their lifes to defend the shp
MichaelAMoran 3 years ago
Wow. You must know all the details of the ACCIDENT on the FORRESTAL that took the LIVES of 161 seamen. Because the first thing they do when you enlist in the Navy is brief you on all the accident reports and official findings throughout the Navy's history.
shmoab 2 years ago 2
While MichaelAMoran was very off on the numbers. He was correct in the basics of the incident. Because of this accident everyone in the Navy is trained in firefighting. They were not prior to it, just a select few. During the firefighting training in basic, we were shown the film and shown all the things that were done wrong, and done correctly. They don't brief us on every incident, but they go into great detail on this one.
billyd336 2 years ago
thousands?
beximus 2 years ago
My father was part of the firefighting crew and survived. He said that for months he had nightmares and could still smell the stench of the burning bodies.
dave929 3 years ago
I have an uncle who was in forrestal, I used to look at the book they got about forrestal,crew,events,etc etc..Im sure every crew got one and the ship model,felt sorry couse we lost ours,my uncle nmae is pete valerio...good day
j71etivac 2 years ago
why they only got 5 firefighters?
DerMessermann 3 years ago
Before this accident firefighting was a specialized job for some people on a ship. After this everyone on a ship is now a trained firefighter. And there are people whose only job is firefighting. They are usually running the scene.
billyd336 2 years ago 2
in the vid at 00:27, the A4 with fire around it (second from the right) is McCain's aircraft, so he was nowhere responsible for this mishap, he had to jump off the nose of that plane to escape to safety.
dustystix76 3 years ago
You had me until "I really wish someone with some legal expertise would find some way to file charges and prosecute them while they still are alive." Defending free speech means even defending speech you find objectionable or immoral.
"He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself." - Thomas Paine
rk6314 3 years ago
rk6314: Thanks for demonstrating your ignorance of freedom of speech. The freedom of speech is not unlimited and does not come without boundaries or responsibilities. Freedom of speech does not cover slander, defamation, inciting violence; risking public safety by inducing panic (IE shouting fire in a crowded theater). The freedom of speech does not guarantee you the right to violate other peoples safety, freedoms, life or liberty.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
got news for you there plenty doing it by calling people racist while they commit racist acts. freedom of speech gurantess your right to speak the truth. try to figure it out your brain washed
tomanyasses 3 years ago
tomanyasses: I agree. However just because people are doing it, doesnt mean its legal or ethical. I think there needs to be reform in our society and in the election system. It should be easier to sue for slander and defamation. I think campaign commercials should also be held accountable to the truth in advertising laws; however from what I understand they are basically given pretty much a free pass.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
You're right that it's not unlimited, but thanks for demonstrating your own ignorance on those limits. In the case of libel or slander against John McCain, there's only one person who can file charges against them, and that's John McCain. There is no mythical "someone" in this case.
rk6314 3 years ago
rk6314: Once again youre demonstrating your own ignorance. Did I say that someone else should file charges? No. Im pointing out the hypocrisy/double standard; if there is a least bit of possible impropriety against a liberal there is a massive outcry and they sound like stuck pigs; yet when there is a clear case of slander like this there is hardly any outcry or support.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
rk6314: In some cases the state can press charges. Also there could be congressional investigations; unfortunately the fascist liberals are hypocritical and apathetic. If the Liberals were victims of slander and voter fraud to the extent that the Republicans have been; I wouldnt be surprised if the media and politicians would be calling for congregational hearings or other types of investigations. The media is clearly biased.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
rk6314: For something of this nature it would likely take a groundswell of support, lots of money, and a legal team that could figure out how to get a shot at Justice.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
your also forgetting slander defamtion and inciting violence risking public safety is an opnion on weather that was done, again there is also the right to be wrong if you see smoke and flame and yell fire and it was small non dangerious the person can by opnion be held liable or not. again the person thought there was a dangerious fire and yelled it wich was his right. you forget it's all politices and money.
tomanyasses 3 years ago
tomanyasses: AGAIN you make a false and dishonest assumption. Again your assertation is dishonest and misleading. Whether it is criminal or not is not based on your or the suspects opinion; its based on facts and logic ultimately to be judged by a court of law (on the Courts opinion) if the case is strong enough and if the enforcement and legal system is not derelict, incompetent or apathetic. The enforcement and legal system should decide not the perpetrator or public opinion.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
tomanyasses: In McCains case (USS Forrestal Mishap) he already has been cleared by what is essentially the court of law; the mishap investigation. Since he has been cleared it is slander to try to blame him for the mishap.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
tomanyasses: In the theater shouting fire scenario. What matters is not the perpetrators opinion, but facts. Was the theater in fact in on fire; if not, then the suspect can be held accountable of a crime if the suspect is sane.; if the suspect yelled fire because they were having delusions than they can be declared insane and institutionalized.If it was an honest mistake that was well-meaning then it should be thrown out or downgraded. If it was a prank or reckless, than it should be prosecuted
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
rk6314 you are pathetic. You are defending immoral and criminal behavior that is dishonest and hateful. Youre lucky to live in a country that has as much freedom as you do; its pathetic that people like you have abuse the freedom illegally to spread lies, hate and ignorance. It is pathetic that people like you try to exploit this terrible tragedy for your own greed.
Ghinnawa 3 years ago
My father in law was aboard the Forrestal when the fire happened. He was in sick bay with John McCain after the incident. This past weekend I went to SEE the Forrestal in Newport RI. It is docked in the Navy base there aside the Saratoga. I have pics/info if anyone is interested, contact me.
fastdriver2469 3 years ago
Please relay my thanks to your father-in-law for his service.
I appreciate those who serve, often against their own self-interest and at great personal risk.
Thanks.
dtbakerqwe123ou 3 years ago
I was Navy Reserve in 1971 and heard many stories about this incident. It shows just how hazardous carriers are. Today they are still hazardous but the hard lessons of the past have improved safety today. Accidents still happen but it is just the nature of the beast and there is no way to avoid it.
jimitl5 3 years ago
I dont agree with political slander either way, and as a Navy Vet I do respect McCain. It is a shame that this incident occured, but if it wouldnt have the Navy probably would have never reevaluated its fire fighting procedures. Those men on that carrier were fighting themselves and the fire. They were bieng conterproductive kinda like campaign smudges.
NICDOE819 3 years ago 2
I read a great book about this called "Sailors To The End"; another problem here was that many of the bombs were WWII era ordnance, the explosive in them unstable and more prone to heat and shock, considered much more sensitive than the modern '60s bombs. As for McCain, he did nothing to cause this-it was his plane that was HIT by the Zuni rocket, NOT the one that accidentally fired it.
hovanti 3 years ago
While in the Navy I say this as a training film. The Next week I got orders to an F-14 Squadron that deployed aboard the USS Forrestal.
RUSHFAN1A 3 years ago
i am a huge pinko liberal, but i agree 100% with you on this case. im kind of shocked to think people would somehow blame this fire on mccain.... i guess elections cause a form of temporary insanity in some people.
phdecora 3 years ago
I just saw the whole documentary in its entirety and it show the plane firing the missile across the deck. If I can get permission I will re post it.
mwkessler 3 years ago
please do!
DrunKao 3 years ago
No footage exists of the aircraft firing the missile. The footage you're talking about was taken from a Zuni launch test done in August. If you notice in that footage, the aircraft (F-4B with wings folded) is pointed out to sea.
boringndull 3 years ago
boringdull: What you say is misleading at best. You seem to be confusing the tests with the mishap. During the mishap aircraft were facing inward, during the tests that aircraft were pointing out word. I cant remember if there is any footage showing the aircraft itself tarring missile; however I saw some video that was in better condition that showed the missile smoke trail the instant or the instant after the first explosion and fire from the missile from the area where the F-4s were staged.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
boringdull: I think there was even a documentary on the Discovery Channel, the history Channel or an the National Geographic Channel; that publicly showed the video. I cant remember if the aircraft that fired a missile was in the frame or not, however the smoke trail from the missile was clearly evident and with a little enhancement I think there was a hint of the missile itself. The missile was traveling so fast that the missile really wasnt identifiable.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
boringdull: All of F-4s in this video are facing inward. The only aircraft that is facing outward in this video is one RA-5C Vigilante. Perhaps you think the vigilante in the video is an F-4 or perhaps youre confusing file video of tests. To laymen or at first glance they are very similar however with a good look they are clearly different. I dont know if you just made an honest mistake or if youre deliberately trying to be misleading.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
boringdull: See the diagram of the aircraft placement on the deck that is at Wikipedia. The only aircraft in this video that is facing outwards is one of the RA-5C Vigilante (603). That is clearly not the aircraft that fired the missile, its facing the wrong direction and is not bore sighted. The aircraft that fired the missile was the F-4B (110), the aircraft that were hit were A-4Es (405 & 416). As you can clearly see the layout F-4B (110) is bore sighted on A-4Es (405 & 416)
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
"That is clearly not the aircraft that fired the missile, its facing the wrong direction and is not bore sighted"
ATFS, also the RA-5C never carried ordanance.
sidishus 3 years ago
To be clear, I'm talking about the footage of the Zuni test where the aircraft used in the test was pointed out to sea. The color test footage was included in the NAVY's film about this mishap.
boringndull 3 years ago
Even if the F-4 was behind McCain and he did wet start his A-4, it would not have started the fire. The Zuni rocket pod is about 2 1/2 feet off the deck and the A-4 tailpipe is almost 6 feet from the deck. At start up, the engine's RPM is still low and a fire ball would only travel about 20 feet and rise upward. So there is no way that McCain could have started the fire.
caltvater 3 years ago
my dad was sleeping under all of that. its sad to here what happen to all his friends
basspunk567 3 years ago
According to McCain in Faith of Our Fathers by Mark Salter....the zuni rocket did indeed hit his A-4. McCain narrowly escaped by breaking out of his cockpit and climbing down the nose and across the refueling rod of his plane...then he jumped 10 feet to the deck and rolled through the flames. This is not widely known....my husband is 22 years in the Navy and has served on ships and received fire/safety training....studied the Forrestal...and only recently did he learn that McCain was involved!
bygeorgeitschelsea 3 years ago 3
When in Boot Camp a EM1 who was on the forestal told us about the fire. Yes the missile from the F4 started the fire and explosion. I met McCain when I was in the USNR in Arizona - until recently I did not know it was his plane next to the one the missile hit.
thwood8 3 years ago
That's not correct, is it? the A-4s look like they are facing inboard, and Mccain's plane was not "next to" the F-4. According to other Documentaries I have watched, the missle went past severl planes before hitting McCain's A-4. Am I wrong? Just asking.
Stovepipe2222 3 years ago
Stovepipe2222: you are incorrect. I think you misread or miscomprehended thwood8s statement.
The F-4 started the fire by shooting the Zuni rocket. The Zuni rocket hit McCains A-4 and or the A-4 next to McCain. Other causes that allowed this event to happen was that armaments were armed and hooked up to the data bus; contrary to standard safety procedure.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
Stovepipe2222: The F-4 was switching from APU two main power that inadvertently caused a surge in voltage or an EMP which triggered the missile to fire without being commanded.
Thwood8 did not say the A-4s were facing the sea, nor did he say McCains A-4 was next to the F-4. Please try to follow.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
My mistake. I guess I overreacted to other videos and posts blaming it all on McCain.
Stovepipe2222 3 years ago
Stovepipe2222: NP. We all misread and misinterpret things sometimes; unfortunately it is very rare that people have the honor to admit it and apologize. It makes a lot of people hot under the collar that some people exploit a tragedy like this to smear a war veteran and POW; thusly disrespecting/cheapening everyone in this tragedy and in the military.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
That is correct. the planes all face inward so they can taxi for launch. The plane that lost it's missile was on the right, or starboard side of the flight deck, McCain's was on the port, or left side. The missile shot across the deck and hit his. I was on the Forrestal 77-80, worked on the flight deck refueling planes. I have a good working knowledge of what happens on deck.
rockinredneck57 3 years ago
Rockinredneck57, in another youtube video "USS Oriskay Pt.I" , there is Vietnam-era footage of the USS Oriskay (which McCain served on after the Forrestal),
and at 5:19 in the video there is a shot of a jet taking off from the carrier deck...with another jet clearly lined up directly behind it.
AtomicCrabMonster 3 years ago
AtomicCrabMonster: Thats irrelevant and does not contradict what Rockinredneck57 said. On the contrary if you look closely (with an educated mind) it verifies what he says. There is a blast doors were it the separates the two aircraft, after the aircraft in front is launched you can see the blast doors drop. The blast doors prevent the jet wash from damaging the aircraft is behind the first.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
I was there Aug 67 when forestal was buring. Helos flew, destroyers drew near. Heros by the score. Fire bottles and hose teams wiped out, to be replaced by others,men running hand-carts with cooking bombs, rockets flying down the deck. medical dept shareing body parts to keep dowm missing presumed dead,every widow or mom got some thing back
Mccain flew another day from another carrier
we took a last run to north vietnam and almost got are ass's shot off 4-real, see dextor goads films
brucencalifornia 3 years ago 3
Just a little known fact: I was on a tin can behind the Forrestal when the fire occured. Sadly. earlier that morning, Forrestal lost a man overboard and he was not recovered.
wetsu851 3 years ago
My father was the radioman on the Forrestal when this incident happened. He passed away in 1972. The "Forrestal blowing up" was an indcident that lives with us a Navy family to this day. I remember a good friend from high school remarking about seeing the training films in 1982, sitting at our kitchen table looking at the "year book" that my father had about his tour on the ship. I had never seen this video until a few weeks ago when Fox Reality did a show about "Terror on the job".
sda1030 3 years ago
This incident is not about Obahama or McCain its about this: Prior ot the fire on this ship, all fire fighting attack was either water or foam. We learned that either you use one or the other but never both together. After this incident the Fire Service changed the way it attacked fuel fed fire. This was a painfull reminder that use either foam or water but never at the same time. We learned from this incident. Its not politics its learning from our fire fighting mistakes.
toxickavenger 3 years ago
toxic avenger: Very much of what you say is very true. However it is possible to use foam and water at the same time, but it has to be in a way to prevent the water from washing away of the foam. The fire crews knew that, unfortunately most of the fire crews were killed or injured fighting the fire during the first explosion. So untrained people were fighting the fire. This mishap proved there was a need to have ALL crewmen (better) trained in firefighting.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
toxic avenger: There was many mistakes made and many things done correctly that day. This video is used as an example of what not to do and what to do. Though they made many mistakes that led up to this mishap, they heroically fought the odds, and their heroic efforts stopped the fire and saved many lives and the ship. It shows the value of teamwork and coordination under the worst of conditions. This video is studied by a whole slew of different type of experts.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
toxic avenger: At higher resolution you can see the faint smoke trail from the missile that was fired from the F-4 causing McCain's plane to burst into flame. Eyewitness testimony as well as the physical evidence proves that the missile triggered the fire. The fascist liberals don't care about the facts, the truth; they just want to promote their lies and hatred.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
toxic avenger: It is truly evil that fascist liberals are trying to take a historical training film of a tragedy and use lies to spin it to promote their hateful greedy fascist agenda to smear a veteran and POW. It is disrespectful of all our serviceman. It shows that the fascist liberals will go to no end to try to steal the election again. Fascist liberals use lies and exploit tragedies to advance their hateful greedy agenda.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
toxic avenger: Those that are hateful and stupid enough to say McCain started this fire; then they are probably the same kind of morally bankrupt nuts that claim missiles brought down the WTC.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
Hello to all discussing the "Forrest Fire"
My dad Richard M. Sietz was killed that day while fighting the fire on the flight deck. Thank you to all who tried to save lives that day. I'm working with "The Moving Wall" and it's visit to Harrisburg PA Sep. 19, 20 & 21, 2008 in honor of my Father. All within travel distance are welcome to attend. I was born August 26,1967 I never met my dad but, hear he was an awesome person with a great sense of humor. He was my guardian Angel!
sharonsietz 3 years ago
Sharonsietz: In the context you are using "Forrest Fire" I don't think I consider it to be offensive. However there are many survivors and family members that become enraged referring to this tragedy as "Forrest Fire". It largely depends on the context, such as in a disrespectful, trivialization or a joking manner or as political smear for political or and financial gain
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
Not was, Is Your Guardian Angel
I don't mean to Offend
God bless you
robertsori 3 years ago
to ronh1936:
Well he wasnt unhurt. First off. he suffered burns and shrapnel wounds not to mention what ATFSCRASH talked about. (lungs)
Dont be so judgemental, for i do believe your comment probably has some political hate in it as well.
But whether you are republican or democrat or
whether you agree with McCains or Obamas policies, you should at least show some respect to a man who served this country bravely and honorably.
thanks
kristakdc77 3 years ago
This was such a horrible trajedy, and just reading that people are blaming McCain for this makes me so frustrated. Of course, politics always comes back to bite you and in this case McCains presence during the Forerestal Fire, turned into a hot political debate. This was just a terrible accident. McCain was lucky enough he wasnt killed and brave enough to attempt rescuing others.
Anyone who disagrees with me should read his book, Faith of my Fathers. I have so much more respect for him now.
kristakdc77 3 years ago
Not to trivialize the heroic actions of the sailors who saved as much as they could, many paying the ultimate price, bu will someone explain why McCain - he who would not leave the Hanoi Hilton leaving his buddies behind - acceded to being removed from the Forretal as the only unhurt survivor.
Something stinks, McCain. Someone please ask him
ronh1936 3 years ago
Ronh1936 "acceded to being removed from the Forretal as the only unhurt survivor"
You're a liar. You are promoting the Fascist Liberal lies to smear McCain. McCain was injured; he was struck in the legs and chest by shrapnel, if I recollect properly he also received some light strains/sprains and some light flash burns from burning fuel and exploding bombs.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
Ronh1936: McCain downplayed these injuries because he didn't want to convalesce or be put on safe duty; instead he wanted to get back into the fight on the front lines. McCain could've probably convalescent or received light safe duty. Instead he was a hero because he volunteered to go from this terrible tragedy right back into front-line combat. What stinks is pathological liars like you that try to exploit tragedies like this for your own greed.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
Ronh1936: What the GP fails to appreciate is that McCain may have helped save others by saving himself by using good egress techniques. Egress scientists have studied this video and use McCain as an example of proper egression. This video and McCains egression techniques has probably saved many crews lives.
You obviously have no clue what you are talking about. You seem to be a fascist liberal political activist.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
Ronh1936: SAR is often more dangerous than combat missions. If I remember my statistics correctly less than 3% of crews are fished out of aircraft that have crashed; most that survive get out on their own accord. Often SAR crews are injured or killed trying to find, and rescue survivors and suppress the fires/explosions.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
Ronh1936: In comparison there was pilot Dave Dollarhide that was near McCain's airplane, Dave fractured his spine jumping from his aircraft. Taking him off flight status in putting other crews in jeopardy to rescue him. McCain largely came out a hero and smelling like a rose in this incident because his actions lowered the risk to his fellow crewman. It is pathetic that pathological liars with political and financial motives are saying the contrary.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
Ronh1936: Egression scientists use Dave as example of what not to do and McCain as an example of what to do. Crews are now taught how to jump from aircraft now; to minimize impact injuries and fire injuries. On aircraft that have pitot tubes or antennas, crews are now taught to hang drop from them when possible to minimize the fall distance.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
Ronh1936:If I recollect correctly McCain minimized his injuries from falling and fire by egressing over the radar cone. When you land after jumping from an aircraft, it tends to knock the wind out of you, and instinctively you inhale; which is a very bad situation when you're engulfed in flames because it doesn't take very much fire to be inhale to kill you.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
Ronh1936: McCain was able to minimize the damage to his lungs, and I think he only suffered minor strains or sprains from the jump, thanks to the techniques he used.
Contrary to what you say; you obviously are trivializing the sailors lives because you are trying to exploit this tragedy to spin it with lies for your own selfish greedy hateful reasons. May you burn for eternity you fascist.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
Senator McCain's plane was hit by the Zuni rocket.
He jumped to the flight deck and escaped.
The Forrestal's crew saved the ship and everyone of them are hero's.
God bless their souls.
PoddleBear 3 years ago 2
Well said.
I read his book, Faith of my Fathers, and read about this. It kills me that people would try to blame McCain for this. It was a huge trajedy. thats all it was.
kristakdc77 3 years ago
Lets compare McCain to Obama.
.
Obama..no achievements. The one clear decision was in 2007 to SURRENDER AMERICAN FORCES in Iraq. Turn over country to Al Queda, turn over all our friends there to certain death. Give the oil wealth of Iraq to our enemies to be used in further war against us.
OBAMA IS ALREADY A FAILURE AND A TRAITOR.
ehunter2 3 years ago
I too watched this film in the course of my Navy training.
Watching it now has the same impact...just incredible.
Any asshat that uses this for political purposes should be dropped in a similar situation for a little perspective training.
dazedgonebye 3 years ago
I agree. If you disagree with McCain regarding his political views, then fine. But don't trivialize his service to this country or disrespect the many lost men such as those shown dying in this video.
dyackman 3 years ago 3
mccain is a real american hero. i wont vote for him but i cant help but admire him for everything he went through
MADELUCO 3 years ago 4
I don't like some of McCain's policies, but now after reading up about him, he has been through a whole lot. This Forrestal fire, then five and a half years of being a prisoner in Vietnam, with tortures that left him permanently hindered.
Wow.
UsocRelamee 3 years ago
wow i guess when im at my grandparents house on july 29th they will be in memorial of this then celebrating my b-day on that day...:( my b-day is that day
catlover19921 3 years ago
Life is the ultimate IQ test. If McCain could figure out a way to escape from that inferno, he is first in his class. If he goes back to aid in the rescue, he deserves some of the adulation directed at Obama.
177hender 3 years ago
I can't believe people think this was McCains fault. His plane was on the opposite side to the one that fired the rocket. He was lucky he wasn't blow too pieces.
theredraven 3 years ago 7
OK, time to put this to bed. John McCain was a young Naval Aviator when this accident, and that is all it was, occurred. I have actually seen other videos of him jumping from his aircraft into the flames to get out. He then, according to reports, attempted to go back to rescue those injured by the first explosion and was pulled back by several firemen.
No conspiracy, no murder, simply an unfortunate accident. Respect the service.
mda6118 3 years ago 3
Everybody watches that video in navy bootcamp. I remember it and I can see it has been edited slightly.
Training to respect fire and fight it is the only way you can survive a conflaguration as that.
With the Nam draft, most personell only did what they had to do and got out. Why train when your a 'short timer' attitude kills.
VS24AT 3 years ago
According to military records aircraft 410-A4E fired a 5-inch Mk-32 "Zuni" rocket when it switched from external to interal power, The missile struck aircraft 405-A4E which was beside 416-A4E. This was in no way the fault of John McCain in fact the man was lucky to have escaped with out injury. To those of you who wish to slander a person perhaps you need more information, Or as the old saying goes, "Its better to be though of as an idiot than to speak and remove all doubt".
Grandus11 3 years ago 4
Thank you for posting this video. My idiot brother who's a conspiracy nut, never votes, says all radio commentators are closeted homos; told me about this latest smear tonite. I knew it was crap from my memory of seeing this video years ago. Glad my memory is still sharp from proper documentaries.
Wyrmshadow 3 years ago
Learn something new everyday, I didn't know McCain's in one of those A-4s. That guy's sure been through a lot.
panzerkom 3 years ago
i lived in san diego '69-'72. a nicer group of guys you'll never meet. i love our military especially the navy. god bless our military,allies and friends.
wilmaohman 3 years ago
They show this whole video during Firefighting/Damage control training during bootcamp
Cooky44 3 years ago 2
Still? I remember seeing this in 1987.
y2knoproblem 3 years ago 2
Me too Great Lakes
raydome 3 years ago
Squirelbutt: This video clearly debunks your fascist spammers lies and slander. The timeline of the video and the locations of the fire clearly debunks shows that the slanders that are spamming the wet start story are lying. The video clearly shows that there wasn't any fire around aircraft that shot McCain's aircraft. The aircraft that fired the missile was on the other side of the deck with no fire around it as this video clearly shows. You are slandering a war veteran and POW with lies
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
Squirelbutt: Your claim to be an "ex A-4 Plane captain" is unfathomable for several reasons. You're not using the proper language. You're slandering and defaming a war veteran and POW in good standing. If you were an "ex A-4 Plane captain" then you would know that this video clearly debunks your wet start lie. You are a fraud, because as the video shows there was no fire around the aircraft that fired the rocket shot McCain's aircraft even after McCain's aircraft is on fire.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
Squirelbutt: You are clearly ignorant of military aviation. You liars and spammers that are slandering war veterans and POW's for your own political and financial gain (greed) and lack of morality is evidence why people should not vote for liberals or Ron Paul.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
Squirelbutt: "ex A-4 Plane captain"
If you were then you should know that this mishap was not triggered by a wet start it was triggered by a voltage surge or EMP from switching from the EPU to main power, with a possible gang start as a contributing factor and the lack of safety procedures adherence by the ground crews. All of the official and independent accident investigations are clearly contrary of your wet start lies. This video clearly shows you are a liar.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
Squirelbutt: "Im an ex A-4 Plane captain."
You are clearly a shill, a liar and a slanderer. You are such lowlife scum that you slander a war veteran and POW that is in good standing. It is evident that you are one of the many fascist liberal or Ron Paul spammers that is trying to slander better and more honorable political opponents.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
McCAIN is a TRADER! He should be given the same treatment as Saddam Hussein when he got home. In 2000: President Bush and Karl Rove said "He gave up American secrets during his capture" He should have been willing to die for his country. RAT
A Republican that will NOT vote in '08!
May God Bless ONLY America
ProudAmer08 3 years ago
ProudAmer08: On the contrary, you are a traitor. You are betraying America by spamming lies and slander against a war veteran and POW in good standing. I will not vote for liberals or Ron Paul because fascist like you support attacks on their political opponents with lies and slander. And that you are such lowlife scum they you are willing to lie and slander to support racists, appeasers, isolationists, anti-American's ect...
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
McCain was no traitor. Google David Wheat and McCain. LCDR David Wheat was my CO in the Navy and he was a POW for 7 1/2 years in Vietnam. I've never known a more upright and gentle man than LCDR Wheat. He was there when John McCain came into the camp. He supports him as do 23 other POWs who were with him there. There's no way he'd support McCain if he were a traitor. If you don't want to vote for him, fine. Just stop spreading BS.
robrjohnson 3 years ago
Amen Brother! - We have to try and over look some of these idiots, all they can do is spread BS about McCain because that's all they have.
hgary2003 3 years ago
It is believed by many crewmen and those who have investigated the case that McCain deliberately "wet-started" his A-4E to shake up the guy in the plane behind his A-4. "Wet-starts", done either deliberately or accidentally, shoot a large flame from the tail of the aircraft. In McCain's case, the "wet-start" apparently "cooked off" and launched the Zuni rocket from the rear F-4 that touched off the explosions and massive fire. The F-4 pilot was reportedly killed in the conflagration.
mujaku 3 years ago
mujaku: You are clearly a spammer and a liar and a slander that is such greedy and selfish scum low life that you slander war veterans and POWs in good standing. As the real experts, have proven and as this video clearly shows your attempt to try to blame McCain for the forestall mishap with a wet start is clearly impossible since the video clearly shows there is no fire around the aircraft that shot the rocket.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
mujaku: May all you spammers that lie and slander rot in hell, especially scum like you that smear war veterans and POWs for your own greed and political gain. It is evident that you are one of the many fascist liberal or Ron Paul spammers that is trying to slander better and more honorable political opponents. Its fascists like you that you smear tactics to try to assassinate political opponents is one of many reasons I wouldn't vote for liberals or Ron Paul. You are dishonest, hateful scum.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
There was no plane behind McCain, just the edge of the flight deck and deep water. Trust me, the crew doesn't want to be anywhere near the exhaust of a plane. I felt it from a distance many times in 3 plus years. Folks who are saying things should have a little understanding of how the flight deck is set up and how the planes are positioned and why.
rockinredneck57 3 years ago
Heroes, all.
fubaglady 3 years ago
I was stationed on USS Independence CV-62 (1993-1995, a Forrestal Class Carrier. I was V-1 Division, flight deck crew. This was shown to us a training on several occasions. It's scary to think how easily something like this could happen. Many props to the men who fought the fire and deepest simpathy to those who lost love ones. RIP Shipmates.
mystret 3 years ago 2
Not only was the bombs WWII surplus. They were all sold for scrap before Nam started big time and the empty bomb casing had to be bought back from the scrap delaers at very higher prices. Don't know if thesse bombs went through this process. But a lot in the early days went thought that process.
mol3898 3 years ago
What's sad is that at the time, most sailors were not properly trained to fight a fire. Now as us sailors are trained to deal with the basics of being a sailor. I remember watching this video in training and I knew what it was about.
Just remember that the Navy is better off now than back then.
Shortie142237 3 years ago 2
Shortie....it's all relative. Some things were better back then and some things are better today. I joined the navy in 67 and did two years on active duty on a can. I was watching that PBS show "Carrier" and I was flabbergasted at how much the navy has changed. Back in the day we were told to do something and we did it. There wasn't any counseling nor did we have women on board. I think that's a huge distraction. Some of the mistakes of yesterday have saved lives throught the years.
tepierett48 3 years ago
What's your opinion of why these dangerous, obsolete, overweight bombs were allowed on both the Forrestal and Enterprise? They mounted 1,000 pound bombs on racks rated for 500 pounds, setting up this disaster.
eajayu 3 years ago
Eajayu: Lack of money/appropriations was a big factor. IMAO the bombs should have been FIFO inventory as part of logistics. Unfortunately there is the tendency for people to want to use the shiniest and newest equipment first so unfortunately FIFO is not always observed. The older bombs should have FIFOed, decommissioned or used on B-52 strikes.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
Eajayu: I really don't know if your allegations of exceeding the rack ratings are true (sounds fishy). You should support your claims with some links to credible sources. Even if the racks were not certified for the weight I doubt it was a contributing factor because the racks are designed to handle several Gs & this was only one G conditions so they should have been able to hold the weight easily
The bombs started falling on the deck not because of weight restrictions but because the fire
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
Eajayu: The thing that precipitated/caused the mishap was having the weapons armed by removing the safety pins (deliberately or by the wind) and by hooking up the weapons electrical harness contrary to official procedure, violating safety standards. A contributing factor allegedly may have been gang starting aircraft increasing the odds of an electrical voltage surge or EMP.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
Eajayu: The use of the lighter thin skin bombs made the tragedy much worse because it lessened the time that they could resist the heat and explosions.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
DAMM!!what a horible way 2die!thnx 4this cool
vid.those men had real balls!
000darkstar000 3 years ago
Im watching the documentary on National Geographic right now,its called Aircraft carrier explosion,very interesting and in depth look at the forrestal
dewsy7thDivision 3 years ago
Simply amazing - thank you for posting this video.
This event was referenced in the commentary to "Act of Contrition" (Battlestar Galactica, Season 1, Episode 4) as inspiring a similar event in the storyline. During an on-deck celebration of one pilot's 1000th landing, a comm drone falls to the deck (due to a frayed holding strap), shoots towards the pilots, and explodes.
qrs136 3 years ago
I watched that film several times when I joined the Navy in early 1970. It was a safety training film. What I never understood, after training and working as an avionics technician, is that guns and ordinance are disabled once an aircraft sits on its landing gear. Ships are better designed today to deal with fires as a result of the Forrestal tragedy.
seairescue 3 years ago
seairescue: That's quite strange. I can't help but be skeptical of your claims to be an aviation tech. It's not like lowering the gear disconnects the main bus. The cockpit triggering switches may be disabled. However a voltage surge or EMP pulse can overwhelm the weapon systems, without going through the cockpit controls. That's one of the many reasons that weapons shouldn't have the connector on, and the firing pins removed until the plane is ready to launch and pointed to the sea.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
seairescue: It's much like the safety on a gun. The safety may prevent you from pulling the trigger, however if you drop the gun it could ram the pin, bolt, or slide into the primer. So in order to carry a gun safely, the chamber should be empty. I don't normally carry a gun with a round in the chamber, otherwise you could have a mishap like the airline pilot did a few days ago that discharged a round in the cockpit.
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
The plane wasn't grounded properly and the spark caused the rocket to fire. The foam was washed away by the water being used in error. The hatches below weren't closed and secure causing the fire to spread and clutter, oily rags and such fed the fire below. What a mess! Not McCain's fault..just weird that it was his plane that was hit....like he's cursed or something. I wasn't gonna vote for him anyway, but I didn't know they were talking about the USS Forrestfire 'til today.
muzebl 3 years ago
My ex was on the USS Forrest-fire. It's haunted. Sailors would pay good money to get out of night watches in certain areas known for weirdness...such as disconnected phones ringing and ghost sightings. The VP-62 hangar at NAS Jax is also haunted with ghosts, slamming doors and toilets flushing reported on the night watch. Fun was had. I wouldn't say McCain was at fault...more like cursed. Damn, I thought I had a rough time in the Navy! Whatever, I wasn't gonna vote for him anyway.
muzebl 3 years ago
as a former member of vf-103 which was attached to the FORRESTAL, i take great exception in using the term "forest Fire"... it is, imho, a slap and disrespectful jab at the brave crew members that were responsible for saving many lives, and this great ship, as well. one who has never experienced life on the flite deck of an aircraft carrier, knows nothing of the inherrent and constant dangers that are present... therefore, careless and derogatory comments are not welcome... mike...
dramasyd101 3 years ago 3
Thanks for the sermon. Jokes like that are gallows humor and have nothing to do with anyone disrespecting dead swabbies. I was in the navy long before you and we called her the Fire-Stall, Zippo, etc. Ease up.
tepierett48 3 years ago
Those are some brave men.
ogradyv 3 years ago 5
I saw this video in Navy boot camp. All recruits watch this video. It teaches us how serious fire is at sea.
I am greatful that in my time I never had to face such a casualty.
The pilot that was in the first plane was John McCain. He mentions it in his book "Faith Of My Fathers."
mjwatts1983 3 years ago
It is very sad that we have turned into such a petty society that we use something like the Forrestal to open wounds for many that would like to forget. To those who respect our country and choose to heal and support our Soldiers, THANK YOU!!!! For those who have nothing better to do but piss and moan about who did what, what is wrong with this country, and chose not to do anything positive for OUR country. I ask you nicely PLEASE LEAVE!
drscolaro 3 years ago 3
It is very unfortunate that this is event was used as a form of slander in a political campaign. As a daughter of a Forrestal Survivor, I have seen the life long damage this tragedy has caused. Speaking with my father, for as much as he will discuss the topic, has stated that there is no one person to blame for the events that occurred on July 29,1967.
drscolaro 3 years ago 3
Thanks for posting this. You're correct that some low-life types try to use this to smear Mc. He did nothing wrong. In fact, he jumped out his plane and helped others. He was lucky to live. Regardless of his politics, he is a better candidate than Hill or Obama.
Fun4Sly 3 years ago
The full video of this accident is available on You tube I believe, and also at AlexParkisinn. This is part of the actual Carrier video. Tragedy, I believe McCain considered ejecting, but then decided falling back into the flames was not a good idea. Mixing foam and water also caused problems, as the foam was wahed away.
usmctanks1 3 years ago
my grand grand pa was in that accident
marionajoel 3 years ago
LEARN OR BURN BABY...
LEARN OR BURN
jewbank 3 years ago
Jon McCain had no role in causing this accident. On a plane directly across the deck, a locking pin that holds a missile in place was blown off by the wind. An electrostatic discharge caused the missile to release, it fired and McCains plane took the hit. McCain did nothing wrong, he was simply waiting to taxi.
It was a freak accident caused partially by ground crew not following procedures (which called for TWO locking pins to be in place until taxi time. Ground crew did not follow procedure.
ticket88 3 years ago
locking pin blown off by the wind? good thing theres no wind when the plane flies.
jilllyy 3 years ago
jilllyy: I guess it never occurred to you genius, that the safety pins are removed before flying. Unless you want a volunteer to climb out on the wing in-flight to remove the safety pins so the weapons can go hot. ;)
ATFSCrash 3 years ago
It was a mistake end of story
michaelwright999 3 years ago
Does anyone know the names of the pilots on the deck. Trying to verify if my Uncle Henry Thiemann was one of them. Thanks for any help.
wombatdrivingforce 3 years ago
I would like to thank all of the people who have served this country. I try to thank every soldier I see. We should forget politics. Many verterans left comments here. Thanks to all of you.
paulandlesson 3 years ago
I saw this many times in boot camp, fire fighting school near Miramar and Surface Preparation and Preservation Class. Yes, the Navy taught me how to paint the Navy Way. I was a sonarman on tin cans from 72-78 and my personal encounter with USS Forrestal occured in mid 78 when I found the Soviet Echo II shadow that was observing an ASW exercise with us, the Forrestal and an FBM sub out of Charleston.
Ishmael932 4 years ago
my father was one of the men that survived. he has told me many stories about the fire, since i was a little girl. when i got older and i saw the video footage.. i got a mental picture of what he went through. im thankful he survived!
StormyGoth 4 years ago
McCain was lucky. Video of this disaster is shown to all upon beginning fire training. The CAG should have been blamed for allowing crews to arm the Zunis before aircraft were attached to the cats. I don't think he ever got blamed though.
gobears1987 4 years ago
justbuildthefence: I have mixed feelings about McCain's politics. However as a veteran I have very much respect for him. He was a victim of this wartime tragedy. Did he whine and cry and make a big spectacle like you are about it? No. Despite this mishap he volunteered to go right back into battle, and shortly after that he had the misfortune of being shot down. Yet you want to insinuate he is a murderer in this mishap.