The Forrestal Fire

Fire is one of the greatest calamities that can occur aboard ship.  On July 29, 1967, during flight operations on board USS Forrestal (CVA 59), a rocket accidentally launched from an aircraft on the flight deck and ignited a fuel tank on another airplane.  The resulting conflagration killed 134 Sailors and injured 161 others while causing extensive damage to the ship and aircraft.  This exhibit includes a memorial plaque and the stern plate bearing the carrier’s name removed before the ship’s scrapping.