The 60's (page 2 of 4)Page I | Page III | Page
IV I served on aboard the Forrestal from
1966-1969. I worked as an electrician in distribution on # six
generator/switchboard and # 2 pump rm as repair electrician. At the time of
the fire I was repair electrician in #2 pump room. At the present time I am a
I served aboard the Forrestal in
l960-62 in OC DIV.(AirOps) I ran the PLAT room that supplied live TV to the
pilots ready room and to AirOps. Some of the people I served with were Chief
Nick Nuzzi, Joe Sizemore, Don Nesbitt, Jim Simmons, Pat Phelps, Dave Kerr,
Bobby Jones, and LT(jg) Parrott. After getting my hand injured in 62, I spent
a year in I served on board Forrestal from January 1967
to June 1969 in E-5 Division. I served most of my time in number 6
Switchboard and 2 Auxiliary. I can still remember very vividly the time of
the fire 29 July 67. It was a sad time for all. Was fortunate to be able to
attend the 30th Memorial in D.C. on July 27, 97 and the Memorial on the
Forrestal on the 29th. They were both very moving experiences. My wife Carol
and I have been to the last three Forrestal reunions and have enjoyed them
very much. Look forward to many more. Presently I am an Assistant Fire Chief
in I want to let you know how much I
appreciate your web site. My brother Bobby served aboard the USS Forrestal in
1967 and died as a result of the fire. As I read the many accounts from the
men who were on board during the fire I frequently have to stop and take a
deep breath. No matter how much historical information I read about the fire,
the first hand accounts really bring home how horrific it was and how heroic
the people were. It's hard to believe that 30 years have passed. I served aboard Forrestal in the GM
Division from 1966-1968 as an AO3. After leaving the Navy in '68 I entered My father was on board in 1967 during the
fire and explosion in the I served aboard from Jan 66 - Aug 69 in V3 Division. I worked as an aircraft handler and ran repair locker 1 Bravo on the hanger deck. I am the current Secretary/Treasurer of the Forrestal Association. Email: cva59@bright.net I was a jet engine mechanic (6412 MOS)
attached to Marine Corps squadron VMA-331, (A4E Skyhawks), out of Beaufort,
SC when we where assigned to the USS Forrestal for a Med Cruise in 1964.
Being a "country boy" from I was in A2 Div, worked on repairing
laundry equipment, galley equipment, and fire pumps. I was aboard from Oct.
62--May 29,1965. I was on during 2 Med cruises and during the Cuban blockade.
My Forrestal reunion membership number is #215. After leaving the navy, I
returned to Served as an IC3, DEC 1964-JAN 1968.
Retired from GTE 1994, currently employed Ramey Chevrolet Inc. Tazewell Va.
Mail me at: 135A I served aboard the Forrestal from July
1962 until June 1966. I attained the rate of Radarman 3rd class, left the
Forrestal and was promoted to 2nd class petty officer. I taught radar school
in Served on Forrestal 1966-1968. Worked in A2 division. Worked steam catapults and air compressors for cats. Was on board at the time of the fire, lost many fine friends. Hope this great old gal can be saved, she saved our butts. Email: DENWAY@aol.com I was on the FID during the fire on 29
July 67. I was a member of VF-11 as the PPO. Was in the compartment under the
first A-4 that exploded. Later I swapped with ABH1 Shorty Cole and went to
the flight deck, where I worked in Fly 2 and later became the LPO. Flight
Deck Chief was D. L. Lyons, Reynolds ? was the LPO, JC Brown was Fly 3.
Stayed around the Navy for 25 1/2 years before I thought it was time to move
on. I currently own a small trucking co. I am married to my childhood sweetheart,
have 2 boys, 2 girls, 4 stepchildren and 4 grand children with 2 more in the
hangar. I would like to hear from anyone who was a Red Ripper, or any
Airdales that were on the FID. Hello to Richard Staff, an x-Red Ripper. Take
care and remember God is great, God is good, God is an Aviation Boatswains
Mate. He had to be to get us thru 29 July 67. I live in I served aboard the mighty 59 from July,
1964 through December, 1967. I was an airman and was aboard during the
disaster in the I was stationed aboard the USS Forrestal
from 67 to 69.Forth Division, run utility boats and all other duties of a
deck hand. I now live in Served from 1967-1969 in IOIC. Retired from NYCPD. Randy if you see this, e-mail me at nycatcsg@aol.com
Served aboard during the fire as an
HM1, PPO "H" Division. Email Ron 3003@aol.com. Served on Forrestal 1962 to 1965, V-2
div. # 2 cat crew, JBD operator, hook-up, bow-runner and hold-back man (that
was before nose tow launch and hold back equip. days) 2 med cruises, 1 Cuban
crisis cruise, 1 put to sea hop-hop due to president being shot (1963),
numerous sky-guy play pilot landings. One of the best memories, C-130 on
board "look ma no hook" saw It from #2 catwalk, most I'd like to
forget, green water over the bow caused F-4 to break free from hold-down and
run free on the flight deck for a short time, and the end of the prop jobs,
sky-raiders, stoofs, willie-fuds and the humpty dumpty air-line. Residence:18
I served on the Forrestal between
1963 and 1968. When I transferred from her to shore duty in 1968 I was a BT2.
During the time I served I worked in all four engine rooms. I have a cruise
book from the med cruise in 1964 - 65. I also have the book from the Westpac
cruise 1967. We all know what that book contains. I left the navy in 1972 and
went into Law Enforcement in my home state of I served aboard the USS Forrestal from
Feb 1960 - May 1962, G-Div, flight deck crew, AO-3. I have a 1960 Med cruse
book and CAG-8 squadron patches from the 1960 Med cruise. Serviced & repaired SPN Radars for OE
Division from 1964 to 1966. I am now a Senior CE servicing computer DASD
subsystems for EMC Corp in Served aboard her for a very short time on a Med. cruise in 1960. Was a MM, worked in Shop 4 for less than 6 months. We were in awe of her, her size, her beauty, and her elegance. I worked for Mack Trucks, Inc. for 30 years, am now retired, living aboard my 57' Chris Craft, named (Forrestal). I am so glad I found this page!!!
I was a Parachute Rigger in VF74 and
was aboard Forrestal on and off from Aug.64 to Sept.67.I was the editor for
the Spotsheet for 18 months. My wife and I now live in My brother went aboard sometime during
the summer of 1962. The ship sailed shortly thereafter and joined the 6th
fleet patrolling the I served aboard the Forrestal from 1964 to 1968. If anyone wishes to reach me by telephone, I can be reached at (315) 458-4006. I was in A-6 division from 1962 to 1964. My e-mail address is 9842@aiov.net Served aboard Forrestal from 5/1/64 to 5/28/69 as B Division Petty Officer in charge (at various times) of all 4 MMRs and the Oil Shack. Stood MMR Top Watch Underway and P.O. of the watch in port. During the time of the fire, I was Team Leader of Repair Party 5A which as I recall was located near Sickbay between #1 and #4 MMRs. Presently employed as a third-party inspector for operating commercial nuclear power plants verifying compliance to various codes and standards. Email: rbm1547@aol.com I served on CVA 59 December 1969 thru Aug 1970. My rate was AC2 and I served as a controller in OC DIV., I currently live in Deland Fl, Married with 3 children. I work in telecommunications and I am active in amateur radio, my call sign is WA4BMG and my e mail address is dsx3@ix.netcom.com I would like to hear from anyone that was on the Forrestal during the Med Cruise of Dec 69-June 70
I am the daughter of Vernon Fannon. He
served on the Forrestal during the Westpac cruise during the fire. My father
will not talk much about the fire. He was in S1 Division. I was stationed aboard the Forrestal from 1968 till 1972. A BT3 in 2mmr. I remember the first time I walked down the ladder into good ol 2mmr, with the dress blues on, straight out of boot camp. Thought I was literally walking into the heat of Hell. The 125 degrees and high humidity was a way of life for me for the next 4 years. The marines once brought a few of the guys that were in the brig for extra hard labor down to the boiler room, they were saying that it was unusual punishment because of the heat. The marines then took them out after a period of a half hour. Have a lot of fond memories, after all it was home for 4 years, and bad memories too, but I am glad and proud I once served on this great ship! E-Mail fsecretary@ameritech.net I served aboard the Forrestal from Aug.
1963 to Aug. 1965, When first aboard I was in the ship's Marine Detachment,
then was transferred to Commander Carrier Division Four where I was Admiral's
Orderly & Driver. I worked for RAdm. Sam Brown, Jr. I was aboard for the
Med. cruise 64/65. The Flag (CCD-4) also deployed aboard USS Independence
(CVA-62), while FID was in the yard at Portsmouth (NNSY) for re-fit. I look
back on those days with a lot of nostalgia and pride. After my 2 years of sea
duty, I returned to the Fleet Marine Force, 2nd Marine Division. I was
standing on the open wing of the I was on the Forrestal during the
1969-70 Med cruise. I flew as an ASW crewman in HS-11 flying both ASW and
Plane Guard missions. I would like to honor the memory of Lt. R.E. Kuehn of
VA-36 whose A-4 we found one late night during a Search and Rescue mission.
As another first for Forrestal, the addition of HS-11 to the air wing in 1969
was the first test of integrating an ASW squadron on an attack carrier. Up to
this point CVS's were used for the purpose of antisubmarine warfare. As they
began to be phased out, ASW squadrons were integrated into the CVA community.
As a result of the success during the 1969-70 cruise, the squadron received
the unit commendation medal. Today, ASW helos and S-3's are included in the
air wing complement aboard all of the carriers thanks in part to HS-11 and
Forrestal's successful integration of this concept in during the 69-70 med
cruise. Today I am Director of Engineering, American National Can, I was so excited when I found all this
info on the Forrestal. Name is Adam S. Gromacki Jr. but used Stephen A.
Gromacki while in the Navy. I served aboard the USS Forrestal from 3/65 to
2/67. I got a 22-day cut because she was going on a shakedown cruise after
the yards and then heading to I served on the Forrestal from the
pre-commissioning day of July 1955 till I left the ship in April of 1957. I
worked in the Air Office with a swell bunch of guys. I was the Served aboard Forrestal 1965-1967. After
reporting to the ship in Served onboard from 11-64 to 10-66 as an
ETR3 in OE Division. I am sending this for my father, thank you.
My father served on the Forrestal during
the 1964 Med cruise. He was there when I was born. Some of his fondest
memories in the U.S. Navy were of his time on the Forrestal. After he left
the Forrestal we moved to the Navy Yard in I served on Forrestal CVA-59 from 1962 to
1967. I have been trying to get in touch with people I knew in the engine
room, you can reach me at 901-987-2921 or e-mail me at jbyrd@aeneas.net. Served on the Forrestal from 1966-1969.
Was a yellow shirt in V-1 during the fire in 1967. Am currently a rancher in
the Served aboard Forrestal 68-70 in R division in the pipe shop. Made two Med cruises. Had fun at the Cape Cod Reunion. Looking forward to Charleston Email me at: Cene4@aol.com I was aboard the Forrestal from 1968-1975. My duty was to repair and supply vending machines and soda fountain areas for the S-3 division. I currently am a building maintenance supervisor at Opryland Hotel. I am now 44 and married with two children. Thanks for your time and I would love to hear from anyone who was aboard with me. Email me at: RBR002@aol.com Served on the Forrestal 1962 to 1963.
Was aboard for the Med cruise and I served on the Forrestal from 1963 until 1965. I was on her when she took the first carrier extended Med cruise (9 months) and when the C130 did the COD tests. The C130 had a sign on the side that said, "Look Mom No Hook." I was a Yeoman in the Captains Office. Some of my very best shipmates and friends on Forrestal where Cpl Stanley Saunders (killed in Vietnam in '66), Billy Ellioth, Leonard Willis, Mike Peebles, Freddie Ruiz, Herman Delgardo, John Peterman and the Sykes Brothers (of flight deck fame). Everyone knew those two guys. I just can't mention them all, but I hope that you will add their names to the list for the 60's. Thanks and may fair winds always be at your back. After leaving the Forrestal, I joined the Marine Corps and retired as a "gunny." I was on the Forrestal from March 1966
through November 1967. I came on board as an ICFA and left as an IC2. My
brother, Dennis Morgan, was also a crewmember. I don't know when he came on
board or when he left the ship. I was in charge of the movie booth. I was the
person who scheduled all the movies for the crew, no matter whether they were
enlisted or officers. My general quarters station was the port steering room.
If you remember everybody in that location was killed during the fire. I did
not make it to my GQ station. I was in the movie booth when GQ was called.
The movie booth was on the 03 level way forward in officer’s country.
All watertight doors were sealed long before I traveled halfway to the aft
end of the ship. For 18 hours my brother and I did not know where each other
was. I knew if he was where he was supposed to be he was probably OK. But he
knew that the aft end of the ship was in bad trouble. He also knew that my GQ
station was in the port quarter. If I was there, he knew I could be in
trouble along with the ship. Luckily we both survived and were able to return
home to our families. Neither of us was married at the time. We are both
married and each of us has 2 girls. All grown. My e-mail address is
bruce.morgan@mailexcite.com My address is:
Served aboard Forrestal 1961 - 1964 as a Radioman in CR Division. Went on the Med Cruise 62-63 and was there for the Cuban missile crisis & blockade. I am now a Senior Technician for AT&T/Lucent Technologies. Email: dickie.call@worldnet.att.net Served 1964 to 1968 as a BT3. Worked in #1 Main machinery room. Met the ship in the Med. in 64. Two Med. cruises all in between and Westpac in 67. Out in May of 68. Was proud to be on the USS FORRESTAL CVA-59 I proudly served aboard the Forrestal
from 1966 to 1969. I was an ADJ-2 assigned to VF-11. I mostly worked nights
in the Mech shop and eventually supervising our night Check Crew team. I made
a Westpac and Med cruise while on board. I am also a member of the shakedown
cruise after the fire. I, too, survived the fire. My compartment was the day
check berthing area (03-aft), and I was the only night check guy sleeping
there. The first explosion took me out of my rack. From there I put on my
jeans, tee shirt and boondockers. I walked forward on the starboard side of the
ship as the bombs exploded from the port side. It was nothing short of divine
guidance that allows me to send this post to you. I can't agree with Rich
Staff about his group raising the most hell. I don't think he ever pulled
liberty with Tom Gilbert or W E Davis! If you're out there and want to
connect--reach me at jlshield@digital-marketplace.net. I'm in Worked in R Div. from 1965-1966, also a
MAA 1966-1968 in X Div. I am a life member of the association, you can reach
me by mail at:
I served aboard the Forrestal in V-4
Division from the time the ship deployed from a 9 month overhaul in the
"yards" in 1966 until shortly after the first readiness cruise
after the ship was repaired after the fire. I was then sent to the
Pre-Commissioning Unit of the USS J.F.K. and served the rest of my service
aboard that ship. I was assigned to the flight deck as bow phone talker for
the fuels crews the day that the fire started. Luckily I had just been
relieved to go to chow when the fire started. I didn't get to eat anything
though as a matter of fact I had just poured a bowl of green pea soup when
the announcement of the fire on the flight deck came down. I did make it back
to the flight deck and spent the next two days there putting out fire and
disposing of ordinance and damaged aircraft. I would just like to add that
anyone and everyone that was aboard the Forrestal that day was a hero. Many
of life's lessons were learned in a short time that day. We may have been hit
a stunning blow, but we regrouped, we got the job done, and the U.S. Navy is
better for the lessons we taught it that day. I am now a Captain on the I served aboard The Forrestal from
1964-66, made two Med cruises, was DJ and program director of the ships
onboard radio station WFOR. I was also a plane captain with fighter squadron
VF-74, the "Bedevilers"; my rank upon separation, ADJ-2. The
friends, places and this wonderful lady (Forrestal), continue to be some of
my fondest memories. I hope she rest with the dignity that she so well
deserves. I commend on your efforts in attempting to rescue one of I was aboard from Oct 1966 to Oct 1968. I was in E3-Division. I was a laundry man. I served on board the USS Forrestal CVA59
from September 1969 until February 1973. I worked in Educational Services
Office for most of that period as a Personnelman. At the time we served for
Chief Petty Officer Martin, one of the best Chiefs I had ever served under. I
am now a computer instructor, self-employed and internet consultant and web
site designer, and live in Bolton My name is Bill Poalkiewicz. I'm the cousin of deceased sailor Richard Pinta. I am trying to contact anyone who knew Richard while on board the USS Forrestal. Our family wishes to know all the facts about Richard (where he was during the fire, what he might have been doing?). Please contact me at e-mail address bill4336@aol.com God! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw
the story about ole Pappy. I remember him coming down to the shop in the
morning with a fresh cigar and fresh uniform and a fresh BLACK TIE and how
that tie would gradually go from black to light gray by the end of the day. I
don' t think that cigar ever left his lips. As to that washing machine it was
all I ever used to wash my clothes. It was pretty strange to look at when it
was in operation but it did a good job and I never lost any socks. I served
on board the Forrestal from 11/65 until around 6/68 as the tool room keeper
and ship's engraver.
I served on board from Oct. 1963 to
June 1966 as an ICI in E-4 Division (IC Gang). I was sent to Served Aboard The FID From 1-63 to
7-67. I left the ship in I served on the Forrestal with VA-46 during the WestPac cruise in 67. At the time I was an AMEAN working the flight deck as a plane captain with Brian Whitehurst. The day of the fire I had just finished loading the planes for a strike. My buddy wanted to eat, but I talked him into going for a smoke instead, which probably saved our lives since our compartment was the most forward berthing compartment on the ship. After the initial explosions we helped on the flight deck, and then went below to hanger bay 3, to help with the fires and dump ordnance over the side. It was a rough day for all of us. I make the run to THE WALL every Memorial weekend to remember my buddies who didn't make it back and I think about how their lives would have turned out thirty years later. I also went to Phila. last year for the memorial service on the ship. I didn't see any of the guys from VA-46, but I did run into a few airdales from our sister squadron VA-106. I'd like to leave a message for the brother of one of my friends who was killed that day. For PETER ZWERLEIN, I saw your message about your brother Bob (we called him "Z") Although we were stationed together for only a short time; we got to be friends and had some good times. I also met your parents on the family day cruise and might have some slides I took of Bob and your parents. If you see this message you can e-mail me at RABAR50@ aol.com or call me at 973-482-1762 (work)
First of all I want to express my
appreciation to you for all the fine work that you have done on this website.
I recently got into "webmastering" myself after 20 years with a
national payroll/data processing company. I found this website quite by
accident, I was doing a search looking at other sites for reference and
wondered if there was anything out there on the Forrestal, what a surprise,
this is "OUTSTANDING." I never realized that there was an
association, a museum, or an effort to preserve Forrestal. I was aboard USS FORRESTAL (CVA-59)
from MAY 67 through JAN 68. My first shipboard duty was as an AT1 assigned
AV/WEPS DIV of AIMD. I was asleep, just under the #3 wire (03-192-?-L) until
1052, on 29 JUL 67. Like so many others, I remember those next few days, as
if it were yesterday. During those days, I set some priorities that I have
pretty much lived by ever since. Mr. Dickerson (AE1 at that time), if/when
you read this; I again "thank you very much" for waking me! I enjoy
reading all the entries of crewmembers and especially those of the persons
aboard during the fire. I am proud to have served aboard USS FORRESTAL
(CVA-59) FID!!! I served on the Forrestal from 1967 to
1969. I was an Airman working in the AIMD IM-1 Office. I now live in I was in OE division 65 and 66 assigned
to SPS-12 radar with Roger Knight. Got orders to
I served aboard Forrestal as an RM3 in CR-Div.
I served on board from
October 1960 till July 1962 as part of the Marine Detachment security force.
During that time we made a number of cruises, two of which I remember the
most. One was the 1961 Med. cruise, that I have a cruise book to remind me of
it, and the other was docking in http://www.frontiernet.net/~patnpaul/index_files/ New pictures posted weekly. Looking for Marines who served
aboard, around the same time frame 60 to 62 and any of the Navy personnel who
remember me. It was a big ship, but I got to know a lot of good people. E-mail: patnpaul@frontiernet.net My father was part of the crew on the
Forrestal. He was killed in the fire on July 29, 1967. Could you please add
his name to the crew register. I was an AO-2 with VF-74 aboard Forrestal
1967 and 1968. I was on the waist cats on July 29,1967 waiting to arm our
F-4's during the launch. Fought the fire on the flight deck until our hose
was destroyed by shrapnel, and then went below to disarm our aircraft in
hanger bay 3. I have been a heavy equipment operator for the past 25 years
and am now doing heavy highway work in southeast
I served on the Forrestal from April
1965 to Nov. 1967. I was in Fox Division as a young third class at the time
of the July 29th, 1967 incident. At the time of the fire I was the Leading
petty Officer for the two Gunar weapons systems that controlled the 5"
guns on the ship. After the fire I was out of a job, no guns or gun systems
left. My two strikers and myself were trapped for about three hours in our
control room before escaping up the ships B & A crane control arm to the
flight deck. We were some of the few that escaped from the after section of
the ship with their lives. Forrestal was my first ship and she was and still
is special to me. Later in my career I became the Senior Damage Control
Instructor for the I served on Forrestal during the fire.
I have only put it behind me since may of 1997. Today, I am a computer
consultant working for the state of
Served on Forrestal from April, 1968 to April, 1969. First Lt, USMCR, Executive Officer of the Marine Detachment. I was on board as ships company in
A-6 division O2N2 gang from Nov22, 63 to Jan20, 67. I am a retired
firefighter from I served on the Stal from April 1965 to
April 1967. I was an ABH3 in V-1 div. My division officer was LCDR Wolf. The
flight deck chief was Jay, and the flight deck petty officer was Diamond.
They let me out early because the ship was headed for westpac. My best friend
shipped over to go to Served on Forrestal in 2nd division from
April 1963-Dec. 1967, I live in southern I served aboard the Forrestal from April 1965 until October 1968. I was in A-2 Division and worked on the catapults. As with all of us who served on the day of the fire it changed my life. There is never a day that goes by without thinking of something that happened that day. On the day of the accident I was on the forward cats preparing for the launch. My daughter was born on the day of the fire, two hours after the fire started. She has always believed that her birth saved my life. She now works at Alexander & Alexander Brokerage firm and wrote the insurance for the Forrestal on the pending tow from the yards. When she told me that she was going to meet with Capt. Beling I almost fell over. I retired from the Baltimore City Police Department in 1991 after 23 years and now work for an insurance company responsible for insurance investigations nationwide. I am looking forward to hearing from any shipmates who served with me on the cats. Special thanks to Paul for all his efforts. My e-mail address is SIU123@AOL.COM I served from July 64 to July 67. I am
presently retired and living in I joined Forrestal Aug 63 from MM (A)
school great lakes, boot camp was in
I currently reside in I served on the Forrestal from June 1959 to March 1963. I was in V-2 division, forward catapults during this time. I am currently employed by Whirlpool Corp. I will be retiring in six years and look forward to visiting the Forrestal. You can E-mail me at tuti@bright.net I just stumbled across the Forrestal
Association web page while looking for something else. What a stroke of
fortune! I served above the USS Forrestal
during the Vietnam Deployment of 1967. I was a QM1 with Commander Carrier
Division Two. I have returned to my hometown of I was RM2 from 1960 to 1962 and served
as Radio Shack Supervisor. I was also a speed key operator and made two Med
cruises. After serving on the Forrestal I was stationed at American Embassy
in I went aboard Forrestal in Dec 1960 and
left in Aug 1964, I was assigned to the machine shop, it was a great
experience for me. I hope that we can save the ship, I would to walk her
decks again. I am retired now, and my address is I served on the Forrestal from very
late in 1960 (Dec.) until my discharge on July 16, 1962. My rate was RD 2
(radarman) and I was in OI division. I worked in CIC and had some degree of
responsibility for many of the various functions in that area, including
surface and air search capability, navigation, electronic countermeasures and
radio communications (shipboard, fleet and aircraft) as would pertain to
fleet operations. Radio handled encrypted and all other types of messages
while we where mainly communications with voice. I am now the Register of
Wills for
I reported aboard Forrestal in
December 1966 as the Leading Chief of OP Division (Photo Lab and IOIC film
processing) and remained aboard until July 1969. At the time I reported
aboard the ship was in the final stages of a major overhaul at the Norfolk
Naval Shipyard in I served on board from 9/60-7/62. I
was in O-I Div. I am a life member of the Forrestal Association # 0263. My
Wife, Judy and I live in
I maintained the CCA Radars After
leaving the military I stayed in electronics and today I maintain automated
assembly equipment for Komag Corp in I went on board 11/63 and left
7/65. My first duty was with the A.C.& R. gang. A-3. I then was able to
get transferred to A-4 the boat shop. I made one Med. cruise while serving on
her. I would sure like to see her moved to
My Father-in-Law served from 66-67, Now
retired from General Motors (
I discovered this address on 4th of July. I was in the supply div. I enjoyed the reminders of the VF-11 antics (tales even made it to the supply areas)! The day of the fire I was on laundry detail with Ralph. When the first bomb went off, I guess my adrenaline kicked in cuz I threw him up the stairs. My first assignment during the fire was to issue shoes to those without (all we had were rubber boots). Then I was sent down to help fight the fire below deck. Five days earlier I had a shift change with Gary Allen who died in the fire. When I came across the name Robert Whelpley, I remembered him. I told my wife that I showed him the way to the ship on his first day. She asked why he couldn’t find something that BIG? I have had several different jobs, but recently have become a teacher of Severely Mentally Handicapped children in Zephyrhills, FL. Email: millig@innet.com
It is really nice to see names I have
not seen in years and to know that there is an organization that is trying
unite shipmates and keep history alive. I served on the Forrestal in the
years between 1966-1970, and sailed with her on the infamous WESTPAC, 1967,
and two MED cruises. Even though I was in the engineering department, my
A-div. gang worked on the steam systems to the ships catapults. A fresh air
snipe. Without us the birds could not fly off the ship. During flight
operations, I was station at the waist cats.#3&4. The guys of our shop I
well not forget: Howard Standsburry, Bill Allen, Joe McNulty, Courtny
Andersen.
Surely one of the highlights of my life was
serving my country on board the USS Forrestal. I was a cook so you probably
at least saw me. Today I own my own restaurant Ivan's, in I served in USS
Forrestal from May of 68 to June of 71. I was in the Power Shop and was an
EM2 at separation. Looking back, I probably had more fun and freedom than
I’ve had before or since. I have kept in touch with a few of my
shipmates, but have lost track of many more. I attended the last
I was an EM-3, served in the Power
shop of the E-Division, and was aboard from 12/68 until I was discharged on
1/3/72. I entered an 18-year-old kid and departed a young man, having served
with and learned from many great shipmates. I made 3 Med cruises and can say
I have many wonderful memories of my time aboard and I am honored to be a
member in the organization. Currently, I am a detective with the NYC Police
Department, on 19 years with one year to retirement. I would love to hear
from any of my former shipmates; My E-mail address is pmc317@webtv.net. God
Bless and Godspeed. I served aboard USS Forrestal between
March 1967 and June 1970. I had had the midwatch the previous night and was
sleeping on the 02 level approximately 30 feet in front of the waste cats
when the first SKYHAWK exploded. Thanks very much to SM3 Donny Dehart who
raced from the signal bridge to our berthing compartment to get us out. My
first thought was that we were being attacked. I found my shirt and pants
quickly, but spent the next 2 1/2 days in my shower shoes. (We weren't
allowed back in our berthing spaces because of the Chlorine gas.) I spent the
rest of the day carrying litters to sick bay, delivering 50lb foam cans from
the 2nd deck to the 0-11 level to fight a fire on a Vigilante (parked just
behind the I had orders to her in late July when she caught fire. I was assigned to VF-74. After she was repaired I went aboard for the '69 and '70 cruises. I retired in March 1971. I served on board Forrestal from July
'64 to July '65 assigned to V-1 Division as the DCPO, I&E Petty Officer
and the Petty Officer in charge of REP 8F. Shipmates and still best friends
are Mike Hampton and Thomas Fox. I work in engineering, both industrial and
mechanical fields and also do graphical illustrations for mechanical repair
manuals.
Glad to see this page on the Web. Served on Board the Forrestal 1960 to 1962. Many good memories and was proud to have spent time aboard. AI1 M. Kelly I was with you when you celebrated your birthday in Gitmo. Got pictures of us at the E.M. club. Goodtime had by all. Thanks for the memories. E-Mail TwoFox41@aol.com
I was attached to AIMD in the Aviation
Electronics Shop (right under the flight deck just aft of the I served aboard the Fighting Lady from
January 1967 till her fire and mishap on Yankee Station, |
Tom Howard