Forrestal Honors...


This page is dedicated to those crewmembers who made historic accomplishments or gave more than demanded of them in the line of duty as it related to the USS Forrestal (CVA/CV/AVT-59). Please feel free to nominate a shipmate(s) for this honor.

...For Bravery and Heroism

Awarded for groups or individuals who at great risk to themselves performed in an outstanding manner when called upon to do so.

Everyone aboard July 29, 1967

This honor is bestowed to all hands that served the tragic day onboard Forrestal, all were there to fight for freedom, some died or were injured in doing so, yet others fought to save the ship and crew less they all perish.

C-130 COD feasability study crew

This honor is bestowed on Lt. James H. Flatley III, pilot; Lt.Cmdr. W.W. Stovall, co-pilot; ADR-1 E.F. Brennan, flight engineer; and Lockheed engineering flight test pilot Ted H. Limmer, Jr., safety pilot for accepting the risk that came with attempting 21 unarrested full stop landings and 21 unassisted take-offs onboard Forrestal with a KC-130F refueler transport on loan from the Marines. All part of a COD (Carrier Onboard Delivery) feasibility study and in so doing became the largest and heaviest airplane to land on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, a record that holds to this day.

Chief Gerald Farrier

I as a member of the Forrestal crew V-1 Division on July 29, 1967 at 10:53AM would like to respectfully nominate Chief Gerald Farrier for all of the honors deserving of a great leader, a kind man, a father, a HERO. Chief Farrier at the time of the first explosion without hesiation grabbed a PKP fire extinguisher and ran at a full gate to what was to become our HELL on earth. He began attempting to cool a bomb laying on the deck surrounded by burning fuel. The entire deck was turning into chaos. Not one time did Chief Farrier loose sense of his immediate duty. Moments later there was an explosion. With my own eyes I saw Chief Farrier destroyed by the blast. There was never a look of fear or doubt in his eyes as he fought the growing fire. Only the look of determination to do his job! I know because I was no more than 20-25 feet from my Chief. I had exhausted a PKP bottle to no avail only moments before. He looked at me waved his arm as if to say "get the hell out of here." Virtually before I could move there was an explosion and Chief Farrier was gone. Chief Farrier was my flight deck Chief, friend, teacher, and most of all a leader of men. I ask that his name and efforts be forever recorded in the history of the U.S.S. Forrestal, CVA59 Respectfully and with Honor

Gary L. Shaver USN Medically Retired

This is long overdue! I respectfully 2nd the nomination for FID Honors to Chief Farrier from my friend and shipmate Gary Shaver.

Paul H. Friedman, AO3, G Division, Aboard 5/67 to 7/29/67.

Captain John K. Beling the CO during the Westpac cruise recommended Chief Farrier for the Medal of Honor. That recommendation was changed by someone further up the chain of command and Chief Farrier received (posthumously) the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. (Source-Ken Killmeyer, Forrestal Association Historian)

...Unusual circumstances

Awarded for groups or individuals who are noted for unusual accomplishments of historical significance relating to the Forrestal.

LTjg Chris Cali

Because during the 108 cosecutive days at sea during the '88 Indian Ocean/Med cruise, he was probably the most recognized name when it came to crew morale. He kept up a relentless sense of humor and made us smile, laugh, and forget, even for a mere moment, that we were working in the heat of the Indian Ocean in July. On days when he didn't broadcast, his name often came up in casual conversation. Thank you LT Cali, for your keeping up your passion in making that deployment the most memorable it could be.

Submitted by: DS1 Rich Goebel

LT. William 'Maggot' Reilly

This honor is bestowed on Lt. Reilly of VFA-132 the "Privateers" who on July 8, 1991 was called in to shoot down an E-2C early warning aircraft from VAW-122 when it developed an engine fire that soon burned out of control. The crew of five ejected from the stricken aircraft which continued flying toward Syrian airspace, making it necessary to destroy the E-2C. Upon receiving authorization to shoot down the aircraft, Lt. Reilly selected the 20mm gun on his F/A-18 Hornet and splashed the Hawkeye. This was the first and only "kill" achieved by an aircraft flying from the deck of Forrestal in the carrier's 38-year history.

Nominated


I would like to nominate Gerald Fredrickson who was the Rep 8 hotsuitman that was with Chief Farrier and right by his side when that bomb went off trying to do the same as Chief Farrier was doing. I saw that with my own eyes. I think he deserves this as well.

David G. Dickson
Fly-3 Director