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I am looking for servicemembers that survived this tragedy. I need information on a seaman who was being transported on board the USS FORRESTAL for further transfer. If anyone out there knows of someone who was there please contact me at nperry2001@hotmail.com or reply to this post. I am trying to help this former seaman get compensation from the VA. Can anyone help?
 
Posts: 4 | Registered: Thu 18 September 2003Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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John McCain was there.
It was his Skyhawk that was hit by the Zuni rocket, accidently fired from another aircraft. (An F-8 with an electrical problem, if I remember correctly.)
The rocket ruptured his centerline fuel tank and started the inferno. If you watch the video, you can see McCain climb out onto the nose of his plane and drop to the deck to get away from the fire.
 
Posts: 5108 | Registered: Fri 27 September 2002Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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I have already spoken with Senator McCain. He does not remember many enlisted members names that were injured in the fire. He stated that shortly after this incident he was taken prisoner. I would really like to help this gentleman. I was hoping by this post that other servicemembers onboard for further transport would remember him. Thanks for your suggestion.
N Perry
 
Posts: 4 | Registered: Thu 18 September 2003Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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Have you tried to contact anyone at the Forrestal Museum Association?
http://www.forrestal.org/page5.htm
 
Posts: 130 | Registered: Thu 27 April 2006Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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Yes, they did not have any information that would be useful in filing a compensation claim.
Thank you for your response.
 
Posts: 4 | Registered: Thu 18 September 2003Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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Get a copy of his military record. Must be something in there to help out.

Shockey
 
Posts: 1475 | Registered: Mon 14 May 2001Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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Thank you for your response. We have a copy of his S/R. It is amazing. The record was recreated based on information available at the time. It ends a week before the fire and picks up 3 days after the fire. There are 11 days not covered in his record. No one has been able to help fill in the gap.
Noreen Perry
 
Posts: 4 | Registered: Thu 18 September 2003Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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Just curious. What commands was he being transported from---to? What div. was he assigned to while aboard? What was his rate?
This info could help.

Shockey
 
Posts: 1475 | Registered: Mon 14 May 2001Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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