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N0KFQ > TODAY 29.07.10 17:27l 47 Lines 1969 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 13224_N0KFQ
Read: GUEST VE7HFY
Subj: Today in History - Jul 29
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Sent: 100729/1506Z @:N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA #:13224 [Branson] FBB7.00i $:13224_N
From: N0KFQ@N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
To : TODAY@WW
Jul 29, 1967:
Rocket causes deadly fire on aircraft carrier
A fire on a United States Navy carrier stationed off the coast
of Vietnam kills 134 service members on this day in 1967. The
deadly fire on the USS Forrestal began with the accidental
launch of a rocket.
During the Vietnam War, the USS Forrestal was often stationed
off the coast of North Vietnam, conducting combat operations. On
the morning of July 29, the ship was preparing to attack when a
rocket from one of its own F-4 Phantom jet fighters was
accidentally launched. The rocket streaked across the deck and
hit a parked A-4 Skyhawk jet. The Skyhawk, which was waiting to
take off, was piloted by John McCain, the future senator from
Arizona.
Fuel from the Skyhawk spilled out and caught fire. The fire then
spread to nearby planes on the ship s deck and detonated a
1,000-pound bomb, which killed many of the initial firefighters
and further spread the fire. A chain reaction of explosions blew
holes in the flight deck and had half the large ship on fire at
one point. Many pilots were trapped in their planes as the fire
spread. It took a full day before the fires could be fully
contained.
Hundreds of sailors were seriously injured and 134 lost their
lives in the devastating fire. Twenty planes were destroyed. It
was the worst loss of a life on a U.S. Navy ship since World War
II. Temporary repairs were made to the ship in the Philippines
before the Forrestal headed back to Norfolk, Virginia. It was
repaired and put back into service the following April, but
never returned to Vietnam.
John McCain narrowly escaped the fire and, afterwards,
volunteered for duty on the USS Oriskany. Just three months
later, his plane was shot down over North Vietnam and he was
taken prisoner. He was not released until five-and-a-half years
later, in 1973.
N0KFQ @ N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
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