I served on board her 08/03/57 - 12/10/60 in # 4MMR. Served as messenger, Feed Pump, Condenser, Throttleman and Top watch. I was on board when the feed pump overspeeded but at the time was on in port watch in # 2 MMR and also when # 4 Main engine had the vibration in it and when the tug boat ruptured the bulkhead in the # 4 engine room sleeping quarters in Mayport, Florida. I reenlisted on 09/27/60 and was transferred to the USS Suribachi AE-21 on 12/10/60 And transferred to the west coast Long Beach, California aboard the USS Caliente AO-53 in September 1961. I was involved as a passenger in a motor cycle accident on 08/23/62. Promoted to MM1 in May 1963 and was medically discharged 10/08/65. I have been a licensed stationary engineer since 06/04/70 and work at Saint Anthony's Hospital, Alton, Illinois operating their equipment and also serve as the boiler inspector for the City of Granite City, Illinois. Married my wife of almost 36 years on 02/14/64 in Portland, Oregon. We have 7 Children, 12 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Served from precom (9/55) to 11/58. Worked in the electric power shop. I retired from the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office Phoenix, AZ. in 1995. Moved to Dewey, AZ. and went back to work as a police officer for the Town of Prescott Valley, AZ. I hope to re-retire in Feb. 2001. I moved from Lowell,MA. in 1968 to Phoenix, AZ. I just couldn't take the cold any more. Would be glad to hear from old shipmates. e-mail me at marlr@msn.com

My father, Maxie Lee Daughtery served on board the Forrestal in1956. He went on to serve on several other ships during his 22 years of service, he retired in 1977. He passed away on April 11, 1997, I can tell you that he was 100% navy up until the day he died. I know he would be proud to have his name added to the ships registry.

Mark A. Daughtery

I appreciate the opportunity to register and offer the following. My rank was RD2 and I was a a plankowner as a member of the original crew. I served on the USS Columbus (heavy cruiser) from 1954-55 after completing Radar School in Norfolk. I transferred to the USS Forrestal and served onboard from June 1955 until I left the ship in Barcelona, Spain in June 1957 to return to the states for discharge in July. While on the Forrestal I served in a variety of jobs within the OI Division working in CIC. This included serving as a watch supervisor in CIC. My cruises included: Navy acceptance/Shipbuilders Sea Trials; shakedown in 1955 to Guantanamo Bay; Suez Canal outbreak in 1956 and the first Mediterranean cruise in 1957.

After graduating from the University of Maryland's Business School I worked in a variety of positions at Eastman Kodak Co. in Rochester N.Y. and "retired early" in 1991 as a manager of computer information systems. I spend my time now working on my tennis game year-round and skiing in the winter trying to "keep ahead" of 3 grandkids while the clock is moving.....too quickly! e-mail address: BVANEK9508@AOL.COM

My father, who is now deceased served on board the Forrestal sometime in 1959. I remember watching the big ship come in to dock at Norfolk as it returned from the Mediteranean. All the sailors were at attention on the deck and all the excited families were waiting to see there loved one again. I got to board the Forrestal with my father and the other family members. We went to the mess hall and had something to eat. I experienced this as a young boy of 9 yrs old. I will always remember the experience. I believe he was a Petty Officer 1st class in one of the squadrons. He was an aircraft mechanic as far as I know. He retired right after the Mediterranean deployment after 20 yrs in the Navy. He made me proud then and he still makes me proud. I am sorry I don't have more specifics about my dad's rank, etc., but I am just very happy to type this tribute to the greatest man I have ever met, my father.

Thanks,
Jimmy Olsen

Crewmember on board from October 1957 to July 1961. Worked in V-3 division (hanger deck control). Got out in 61 and went to work for Gary Steel Products Corp in Lynchburg Virgina for six months before going to work for Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company . I retired as a welding production foreman in July of 1999. My home is in Newport News Virgina . I have two sons and five grand children. Enjoy fishing and traveling since retirement. Would love to hear from anyone from V-3 division. duvall.campbell@worldnet.tt.net

I checked in aboard Forrestal at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth VA late one cold and rainy Sunday night in early February 1958 (if memory serves, it was about the 7th or 8th of February) after having been in transit from the Receiving Station at NOB most of the day and through the evening. The young JOOD signed us in at the quarterdeck and summoned the Master at Arms to secure us temporary bunks until we could report to our new duty stations aboard in the morning.

After getting us some bedding and assigning us racks, the MAA, almost in passing, casually asked if any of us were hungry. We were the last draft of men to be delivered to the various ships and stations that day, and it seemed that at every stop along the way we had just missed chow. Somebody responded that Yeah, we sure as hell were hungry, so the MAA said to follow him. Down into what seemed to us the bowels of the ship he led us to the mess deck where he banged on a door that was opened by the duty cook. The MAA explained that we'd been in transit all day and had just missed chow everywhere we'd gone. The cook said words to the effect of "Well, come on in, guys" and led us to the best damned setup of cold cuts and coffee that I've ever seen before or since. I said to myself right then and there, "This is gonna be a good ship," and it was. For the next fourteen months and 22 days I called Forrestal home and was privileged to serve with some of the finest men on one of the finest ships that ever sailed the seas of the world.

Since then, I've worked, married (40 years come 30 April 2000) and raised a family of three children and now five grandchildren, and retired. Through all those years I still carry fond memories of the good guys I served with and the good times we had (we forget the bullcrap) at the liberty ports we visited aboard that great ship.

I enlisted in the navy 11/18/54-discharged 11/18/58. Went to boot camp in Bainbridge, MD., then on to radar school in Norflok, VA. After radar school I was assigned to the mighty 59. Was in the precom barrackes in Norfolk until the shipyard released her to the navy. Sailed on every cruise until 11/57 and then transferred to the USS Blair until my discharge in 58 I'm a plank owner and proud of it, I served in CIC, on the bridge, also as a plotter on the admirals bridge. For the past year I have been emailing with Jack klug, Jim Craig, and Bruce Vanek all who served in CIC with me. After leaveing the navy I drove a truck for twenty years until health problems forced me out of the trucking business. My email address is molehill@ainop.com

Served onboard September 1957 to May 1961. I was LSO spotter. ALL DOWN AND CLEAR DECK.

My Uncle is a Plank Owner. He came over from the USS Mississippi in '55. His address is 163 Lusard St., Painesville, OH 44077. His phone # is 440-354-4665. He is thinking about the reunion this summer. If you need to contact him by E-mail I will answer it for him at ggj5345246@aol.com

I went aboard in Oct of '57, V-3 division, hanger deck control and was transferred NOV '59 to air transport squadron VR-22. I was discharged in July of '61. Would like to hear from any one from my division. Also looking for Robert C. Wilson, his home town is Pittsburg, Pa. Also Bruce Barton (Conneticut). I can be E-mailed at mett@frognet.net

Electronics Technician 1st Class -- precommissioning detail and plank owner -- can't remember dates exactly, but served in her thru mid-1956 then went to ComServLant. More later if I can find my old pix and such. Presently retired and living in california. rhbyrne@worldnet.att.net

My father (Walter) went to the Med. on the Forrestal in 1956. I do not know what his rank was. I will try to dig out his military records to see. I remember I was 4 yrs. old. My mother and a friend Pat Russell went to Florida from Virginia Beach to see my dad and his friend Herschal one more time before they left for six months. I remember missing my dad horribly. We had no phone calls or anything. He was ADR and would have been 2nd class at that time probably.

Mickie Owens

My Father Donald is a plank owner of the USS Forrestal, I am not sure of the exact dates, but I believe between 1955-60. I also think he was an E-4. He is still alive and living in Florida. It would be an honor if you would include him in the crew listing.

Very Respectfully,
SSG John L. Hughes
JCTP Plans NCO
DSN 430-5234 FAX 430-6177
hughesjl@eucom.mil

I served on board the Forrestal from September 1958 till November 1960 when I was discharged in Norfolk. I worked for and am retired from the Federal Civil Service in the computer field. Have been married for forty years, with three children and three grand children. My e-mail is ronperry@epix.net

I was a member of the Forrestal from December 1956 to December 1958. Rate of TE-3. Worked in the ships post office for above time period. I boarded the ship in Norfolk, Va. I was released while on MED. cruise in November 1958.

I was a a plankowner as a member of the original crew. I served on the USS Caloosahatchee (AO 98) from February 1954-October 1955 after completing Radar School in Norfolk. I transferred to the USS Forrestal and served onboard from October 1955 to October 1956 as an RD2 until I returned to the NAS Jacksonville for discharge in November. While on the Forrestal I served in a variety of jobs within the OI Division working in CIC. This included serving as a watch supervisor in CIC. My cruises included: Navy acceptance/Shipbuilders Sea Trials and shakedown in 1955 to Guantanamo Bay. I now live in Braintree, Massachusetts. My phone number is (781) 843-7828.

I served onboard from Pre Com 1954- July 1960. 22 Yrs. active duty in the navy. Retired GMGC USN. Would like to hear from anyone that was onboard the ship that knew me. email lcatesr@cs.com

I served on the ship October 1955 to February 1957 as part of the flight deck crew in V-1 Division on deck and fly talker. I have been to the last two conventions and am looking forward to August for the third. After leaving the navy I opened my own Insurance Agency In Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. I hope to retire very soon as I will be 65 on 7/3/00. I hope to hear from any of my shipmates anytime. My E-mail address at home is pkelly58@earthlink.net. My phone number at work is 18003553056 x16, call anytime.

My father (Charles) is 89 and doesn't remember everything, but some of his finest members, although nothing specific, is of serving on the Forrestal. His name is Charles W. Birdy. He was a PN1 while on board and worked in the Executive Division. He has the book of the 1958 - 59 Med Cruise. He is in the division picture, front row center.

Dad is doing well and living in Newport, RI with mom. This is were they retired. He still working on his stamp collection and if any of you remember him this is one thing you would remember about him.

When the Forrestal was brought to Newport for docking, dad went down and was able to get aboard.

If anyone wants to get in touch to say hi to dad please feel free to e-mail me and I will pass it along.

Buzz Birdy
e-mail: birdycw@npt.nuwc.navy.mil

Served oboard with VA-83 from 1959-1961, VA-64 from 1961-1962, I am a retired airline pilot.

I am Mike Strong. I served on the Ranger, CV-61, 82-87 as MM Top of 2MMR. However, my father, R.G. Strong was a MM on the Forrestal in the mid to late fifties. He is alive and well and would be pleased to hear from his old buds. Contact me at "gnorts1@aol.com" if you remember him and I will pass along the info. By the way, I served with MMCM David Hobbs aboard the Ranger. I believe he was on the Forrestal during the fifties when Dan was there.

I was a naval aviator assigned to the commissioning detail for USS Forrestal (CV-59). I worked in CIC as an Air Controller untiI I was transferred in April 1956 to the precommissioning detail for USS Saratoga (CV-60) at the Brooklyn Navy shipyard. In 1958, I carrier qualified on Forrestal while flying A3D's. On 29 July 1967, I was temporarily aboard Forrestal conducting a bombing accuracy study and saw first hand the heroic efforts of the ship's company and air group in saving the ship when a catastrophic fire occurred on the flight deck. From 1970 to 1971, I served as the Executive Officer in Forrestal. I retired as a Rear Admiral in 1981 and currently reside in Melbourne, FL. Email: Billdot1@aol.com.

I served on the U.S.S. Forrestal from 1959-1962. We made two Mediterranean cruises and two GITMO cruises. I was a Radioman in the CR Division. I left with a rating of Radioman Second Class. I am now a Baptist minister serving the Grassy Creek Baptist Church of Martinsville, Virginia. My residence is 2289 Third St., Eden, NC 27288-4347, telephone (336) 635-1448, email, MJNEAL@INFI.NET.

I served aboard the Forrestal 1955/1957. I was in the V-5 Div. as a MN3 and would like contact with other V-5 div. personnel as a starter. Contact can be made by e-mail at: gjweynand@aol.com

I was on the forrestal in 1956 to 58. I went to EM school in San Diego. I then went to the Forrestal in Norfolk Dec of 56. I went in to the distribution gang under PO Walker, went on Med cruise in 57. I then went to sub school in New London, got assigned to the USS Remora (SS-487) out of San Diego. I had some good friends, like Dan Newkirk, Dick Marley, and so many more. email: TFDThirdgear@aol.com

Stationed on the USS FORRESTAL the years of 58 and 59, was a navigator with the squadron of the Night Hawkers (Snoopy verses the Red Baron was their mascot). Currently a retired city bus driver for the city of North Olmsted, Ohio and now work on the Mayport Naval Base. Son is a Chief in the Navy on board the USS MOOSEBRUGGER.

I joined the Pre Comm Detail in June 1955 with Lou Gusbar and Larry Stump. I was in the OE Division and remained on board until half way through the ffirst Med Cruise when I was transferred to Barin Field In Foley, AL. I was discharged in June 1958. I joined AT&T and remained with them until I retired. E-mail rfholl@one.net

My father Dale was on the original comisioning crew. He went aboard her before she was even completed and served aboard her untril his discharge in 1957 or 1958 not sure which year he left He was an MM2. He has attend many of the reunions. Unfortunately he passed away March 9th 1999, he spoke highly of many of you in the association and I was disappointed that I did not find his name on the crew list or list of Plank owners. To have him included on this site with his shipmates, is a great honor for what I consider to be a great man. BTower1@email.msn.com

Brett H. Tower

I served aboard the Forrestal 1955/1957. I was in the V-5 div. as a MN3 and would like contact with other V-5 Div. personnel. E-mail: gjweynand@aol.com