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?

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.

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

Have you tried to contact anyone at the Forrestal Museum Association?
http://www.forrestal.org/page5.htm

Yes, they did not have any information that would be useful in filing a compensation claim.
Thank you for your response.

Get a copy of his military record. Must be something in there to help out.

Shockey

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

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