USS Forestall

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Mar 1, 2003 | 12:10 AM

Franklin3

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From: No. Kali

USS Forestall

Any sailors till the end, here.

My closest co-worker was assigned to the ship during that tragedy. I spoke to him breifly about it during a fishing trip and noticed it still affects him deeply so I dropped the subject. He said he didn't mind talking about it but I could tell it was very hard for him to maintain.
During a trip with my wife to the bookstore I saw that a book was written on it so I picked it up. I recently read it and am still amazed at the courage and dedication of the men on that ship.
It has given me a much deeper appreciation for work the men and women in the Navy do everyday so I can post on FTE. Not just for that I'm sure you know what I'm trying to say.
Franklin

Mar 1, 2003 | 01:35 PM

mantta

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From: Keweenaw Bay, MI

USS Forestall

My younger brother was on there when they had the fire also. He is very reluctant to talk about it and I do not blame him. He was an Ordinanceman on there. Him and I are both retired from the Navy.

Mar 1, 2003 | 02:40 PM

AlM

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USS Forestall

yo,
I was @ the Coronado Amphib base when that tragedy happened. It was a bad time indeed. The save our ship/courage of the crew helped avert more fatalities that day.

Mar 1, 2003 | 03:19 PM

stormyrider

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From: northern Michigan

USS Forestall

Which fire are you talking about. I was in from 1969 - 1978. We knicknamed that ship the forestfire because of all the fires that they had. One I remember hearing a lot about was a seamen setting fire to the admirals quarters intentionaly.

Mar 1, 2003 | 03:24 PM

mantta

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From: Keweenaw Bay, MI

USS Forestall

There was a major fire on there in 1967 off the coast of Viet Nam when a mixture of fuel and bombs started exploding on the flight deck. Hundreds were killed that time.

Mar 1, 2003 | 03:29 PM

stormyrider

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From: northern Michigan

USS Forestall

I remember hearing of that one. was very bad. I served with some survivors of the U.S.S. Belknap and they were having a hard time also.

Mar 2, 2003 | 05:27 PM

Lectrocuted

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Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 695

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From: Metro Detroit

USS Forestall

Electrical short fired off a missle on the flight deck.

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Mar 2, 2003 | 07:01 PM

Franklin3

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From: No. Kali

USS Forestall

You know the government said the crewmen on the flight deck were shortcutting protocal by arming the missels before the aircraft was in launch position. The first sidewinder fired across the flight deck striking another aircraft and spilling all its fuel which started the whole mess. The pilot of that plane US Senator.
John Mcain
One of the most incredible acts of courage was carried out by
three men trapped in their work station below decks in the steering room.
Hoplessly trapped, Injured and dying they managed to respond to orders to transfer control of the ships rudders to the other side before all three died from their injuries.

"Sailors Till The End" Highly recommended reading for any American.