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‘Catastrophic Fire’ On US Navy’s 80,000-Ton Aircraft Carrier: When US Nearly Lost Its 1st Supercarrier, Killing 134 Sailors In 1967

The USS Forrestal, the US Navy’s first supercarrier, holds a distinguished place in American naval history as one of the most pivotal warships ever commissioned. Named in honor of James Forrestal, America’s first Secretary of Defense, the Forrestal was launched in 1954 and marked a key leap in carrier design. 

It introduced several groundbreaking advancements, most notably the capacity for simultaneous aircraft launches, greatly enhancing its operational efficiency and combat readiness.

Over nearly four decades of service, the USS Forrestal (CV-59) participated in numerous combat operations, consistently demonstrating its value to the Navy’s mission.

Throughout the Vietnam War, the Forrestal was instrumental, especially at Yankee Station in 1967, which served as a vital staging ground for aircraft missions targeting North Vietnam.

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However, the Forrestal is perhaps most famously remembered for the tragic accident that occurred on its flight deck on July 29, 1967.

During a busy period of deck operations, an accidental rocket launch from an aircraft led to a series of explosions and fires. The disaster resulted in the loss of 134 lives, injury to 161 crew members, and extensive damage to the ship and its aircraft.

The impact of the 1967 tragedy on the Forrestal was profound. It prompted extensive safety reviews and operational changes within the Navy, leading to the implementation of new procedures designed to prevent similar accidents in the future.

The USS Forrestal: The First Modern Supercarrier 

In the 1950-60s, the US Navy had evolved into a formidable surface fleet of supercarriers, a transformation marked by the introduction of three main classes: the Kitty Hawk-class, the Forrestal-class, and the Enterprise-class.

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These supercarriers patrolled the world’s oceans, safeguarding American interests with unprecedented power. The USS Forrestal of the Forrestal class was the first of these modern-day “supercarriers.”

Weighing 82,240 tons fully loaded—more than twice the weight of the Essex-class carriers that dominated the Fast Carrier Task Force during World War II—she was also the first aircraft carrier to exceed 1,000 feet in length, measuring 1,070 feet overall.

The Forrestal introduced the angled flight deck to American carriers, allowing simultaneous landing and recovery operations, a significant enhancement in operational efficiency.

During the Vietnam War, the USS Forrestal played a critical role, particularly in 1967, as the United States entered its second year of one of its most costly and ultimately unsuccessful conflicts.




USS Forrestal Painting
An A-4D Skyhawk is shown launched from USS Forrestal (CVA-59) in this 1968 watercolor by Arthur Beaumont. Off the carrier’s port side is the attack transport USS Okanogan (APA-220). (Courtesy of Navy Art Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command)

Alongside her sister ships — the USS Ranger (CV-61), the USS Saratoga (CV-60), and the USS Independence (CV-62)—the Forrestal-class carriers, though non-nuclear, proved to be among the Navy’s most successful postwar vessels.

Initially, the carriers supporting the Vietnam War effort were part of the Pacific Fleet. However, as the war intensified and required greater resources, additional assets were needed. This demand led to the deployment of supercarriers from beyond the Pacific.

The USS Forrestal, originally part of the Atlantic Fleet, was repurposed to support the ongoing war effort in Vietnam. The Forrestal could operate up to 80 aircraft of various types, including jets, prop-driven aircraft, and helicopters.

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