THE TRUTH ABOUT THE USS FORRESTAL FIRE
John McCain never refers to his very famous run-in with a mishap on the USS Forrestal, for which he (according to his official camp bio):
“…escaped from his burning jet and was trying to help another pilot escape when a bomb exploded. McCain was struck in the legs and chest by fragments. The ensuing fire killed 134 sailors and took 24 hours to control. With the Forrestal out of commission, McCain volunteered for assignment with the USS Oriskany.”
What is most compelling about this version of events here is that McCain is reported to have set-up a prank called a wet-start in his own aircraft in order to shake up the guy in the jet behind him. “Wet-starts”, done either deliberately or accidentally, shoot a large flame from the tail of the aircraft. This prank was a very frequently played trick on newer pilots back in the day when it was still possible. New automatic ignition systems rendered this trick impossible. The wet-start ignited and launched a Zuni rocket from the rear A-4 jet that touched off explosions and a massive fire. The young pilot that McCain was trying to “shake-up” ended up losing his life to this prank, as did another 133 sailors and airmen!
With the Forrestal out of commission, the write-up states, McCain “volunteered for assignment with the USS Oriskany.”
Except that he didn’t volunteer for this assignment. According to accounts, he was forced to leave the Forrestal because of the prank that caused 134 sailors to die unnecessarily. Because his father and grandfather were noted Admirals in the Navy, the ordeal was hushed up and he was quickly spirited away to another ship. Four months later, he would be shot down. And another whole mythology was created thereafter.
The mythology didn’t just extend to the end of his days in captivity. In fact, some would argue that the McCain “Maverick” mythology was created specifically through the efforts of Hollywood screenwriters!
Read on the following page about how movie magic, loosely based on McCain’s heroic fairytale, became a multimillion-dollar box office smash called “Top Gun!”
You people love to wallow in hate. Collectively you have an IQ in single digits.
I am not a McCain fan, but he was in the Navy, not any other service. The Navy has no rank of 2nd Lieutenant or 1st Lieutenant. McCain retired as a Captain in the Navy, a rank equivalent to Colonel in the other branches of service. He had at least four promotions while in the Navy.
Tragic that his daughter is caught up in his lies.
No way she ever was given a true view of the man who was her father.
I am not a John McCain fan. I didn’t like him. I thought he was a hot dog and a phoney.
Years after coming home from Nam. I was curious about the AZ Republican Senator, who seemed to be more of a Democrat.
It was the patch on bikers vests stating, “Bring them home, or send us back!” Started me reading stories about the 1600+ left behind. Prisoners we abandoned.
The French got their prisoners back, and paid dearly for them. The VN government wanted $4 million in funds from the US to rebuild. Nixon would not pay.
McCain was put in charge of handling all prisoner sightings. He ran interference for Nixon.
There was, I think, plenty of credible evidence we had live prisoners in VN. But John denied it all and shot all of it down.
The. I saw a video of a mother trying to talk to him about credible evidence that her son was still prisoner in Nam.
He destroyed her to tears in front of a group of politicians, for trying to get info on her son, and bring him home.
The McCain story told here. Is total BULL SH!T. Told by people full of BULL SH!T. I know the truth. Billy J Shafer USS Saratoga CVA 6O 1968-1972
NAVY CAPTAIN (O-6). Stupid conspiracy theories.
Know how to tell this is f**e news? The Navy doesn’t have First and Second Lieutenants. If you are going to post false stories, at least get your background information correct.
There is a problem with your saying he retired as a Captain being a problem. I assume because you are using non-Naval ranks like the Army, Marines and Air Force that you do not understand the difference.
In the US Navy, the officer rank structure is as follows:
O1: Ensign
O2: Lieutenant Junior Grade
O3: Lieutenant
O4: Lieutenant Commander
O5: Commander
O6: Captain
O7 -O10: Admiral Ranks
In the US Army, US Marines and US Air Force the officer rank structure is as follows:
O1: Second Lieutenant
O2: First Lieutenant
O3: Captain
O4: Major
O5: Lieutenant Colonel
O6: Colonel
O7 – O10: General Ranks
John McCain retired as a O6 Navy Captain which is a common rank for retirement. In fact, many officers retire at O5 and O6.
General and Admiral Ranks (Flag Officers) are appointed by the President and confirmed by the US Senate. Admiral and General Ranks are hard to attain as there are so few openings. John McCain likely was waiting for an opening but fearing Oriskany fire and other problems in his service history may have come back to bite him in a Senate Confirmation Hearing, which could have damaged his ability to run for future offices.
Disgusting as he should of been court marshalled and put in prison for his stupid “prank” actions as if it would of happened to anyone else that would have pulled a “prank” like that. Deep State is so corrupt but the TRUTH will all be revealed as God wins over these devil Satan worshipers.
In prison for what. The story about him and a fire. Is a TOTAL LIE.