I was in another forum today and reminded of some of the things that happened to me while I was on active duty. A portion of the post I made there is below. While I was not on the Forrestal during the fire, I was on it after they were repaired. If there is anyone who was onboard or involved in some way, I would appreciate hearing from them.
... I have been stationed aboard the USS Intrepid (CVS-11, mid 60's, smallest full aircraft carrier I've been on) and the USS Eisenhower (CVN-69, early 80's, largest carrier I've been on).
While on the Intrepid, our relief ship, the USS Forrestal, caught fire while in the Tonkin Gulf. Somewhere I have a picture of the grey sea with a grey sky over it and a thick streamer of smoke rising in the middle on the horizon.
I was also stationed aboard the USS Forrestal CVA-59 the year after it caught fire off the coast of Viet Nam. You could still smell roasted flesh in some of the crew compartments.
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PLEASE, only post remembrances in this topic, no condolences. If you wish to post condolences, please make a separate topic just for that.