U.S.S. Forrestal - July 29, 1967 
After four days on Yankee Station, while aircraft were being prepared for the second launch of the day against targets in Vietnam, a fire broke out (a Zuni rocket was accidentally fired) on the flight deck of United States Ship Forrestal CVA 59. A chain reaction of explosions among the aircraft loaded with bombs and fuel caused flames to engulfed the fantail and spread below decks touching off more bombs and ammunition. Heroic efforts by members of CVW-17 and ship's company, brought the fires under control. Damage to the carrier and aircraft was severe and the casualties included 132 dead, two missing and presumed dead and 62 injured. A total of eleven A-4E Skyhawks were lost in the fire. Those lost by VA46 were: 149996 (AA416), 150064 (AA405), 150068 (AA407), 150084 (AA410), 150115 (AA412), 150118 (AA414) and 150129 (AA417). Other Skyhawks lost were: BuNo. 152018, BuNo. 152024, BuNo. 152036, and BuNo. 152040. Dave Dollarhide, VA-46, was in BuNo150129 (AA417) just forward of John McCain when the fire broke out. They both scrambled out of their cockpits and survived with minor injuries, but 150129 was blown overboard by an M-65 1,000lb. bomb, as were other Skyhawks. LCDR Fred White of VA-46, in a aircraft that was struck by a Zuni rocket, was one of those killed. Gary Stark, Fred White and Denny Barton of VA-46 were the only pilots to die that day. Dave Dollarhide was the only one in his flight of four to survive. Those in VA-106 killed were Petty Officers H. Fontenot, W. W. Stewart, R. N. Plesh, J. A. Earick and Airman C. R. Rich, J. A. Velez, A. R. Metz and G. E. Wall. Numerous squadron personnel were cited for their acts of heroism during the fire.  |
