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

The crew of over 5,000 men saved their ship. One Hundred Thirty-four crewmembers made the supreme
sacrifice. One hundred sixty-one men were injured with sixty-four personnel sustaining severe injuries.

President Lyndon B. Johnson sent Commanding Officer Captain John K. Beling the following message.
I want you and the men of your command to know that the thoughts of the American people
are with you at this tragic time. We feel a great sense of personnel loss.
The devotion to duty and courage of your men have not gone unnoticed. The sacrifices
they have made shall not be in vain.

LCDR Herbert A. Hope USN, Operations Officer of Carrier Air Wing Seventeen was quoted by LIFE Magazine.
"In 5 Minutes Everyone On This Ship Became A Man"

Kenneth V. Killmeyer, Historian, USS FORRESTAL Association, Inc.
Aboard 29 July 1967
Kenfidhist@aol.com     (703) 435-2813 Home     (571) 220-2809 Cell