REPORT: Senator John McCain Accused of Causing 1967 USS Forrestal Inferno


THE TOP GUN SIMILARITIES

Some have speculated that the movie “Top Gun” was written about John McCain, with most people involved with the film’s writing claiming that it wasn’t true.  There are others who point out that while the movie’s hero played by Tom Cruise was a fighter pilot, McCain’s real life job was to drop bombs on the jungles of North Vietnam.  Big difference, right?

But let me interject a few things I’ve noted in reading about the movie and about McCain’s history.  I have to admit, as unbelievable as it might seem, I’ve never seen the movie “Top Gun.”  But I have known enough people, including my wife, who have and have talked endlessly about its qualities (film-wise) for years.  Honestly, I did attempt watching it many years ago, but lost interest in the first half-hour for one reason or another and never went back to finish it.

Here are some of my observations:

  1. John McCain performs an activity (wet-start prank) that is against the rules and it causes the graphic and horrific death of a fellow pilot (according to accounts).  Pete “Maverick” Mitchell performs an activity (jet-wash fly-through) that is against the rules and causes the graphic and horrific death of a fellow pilot.
  2. John McCain was assigned to the USS Enterprise in the Mediterranean Sea.  Maverick Mitchell was assigned to the USS Enterprise in the Indian Ocean.
  3. John McCain had a very important father, John S. McCain, who was the Commander of the US Fleet in the Pacific Basin.  Pete “Maverick” Mitchell had a very important father, Duke Mitchell, whose disappearance and whose records are sealed and CLASSIFIED.
  4. John McCain was assigned to the USS Oriskany, four months before being shot down over Vietnam and listed as MIA.  Duke Mitchell was assigned to the USS Oriskany, before being shot down over Vietnam and listed as MIA.
  5. John McCain was known for “hot-dogging” and also for his disrespectful attitude toward higher ranking officers.  Maverick Mitchell was known for “hot-dogging” and also for his disrespectful attitude toward higher ranking officers.

Some may dismiss these similarities as “coincidences,” but in my book, there are WAY too many to be just happenstance in fiction writing.  There is also an interview with Jack Epps, Jr. (co-writer of the screenplay) who claims to have “read a lot of information” about naval pilots and their history.  As well, one of the main characters in the film, the love interest “Charlie,” was based directly on a woman who was a commanding officer in the Naval academy, but who was later changed into a contracted agent in the film because of the Navy’s influence in truncating the storyline (the no fraternization rule was in place, therefore, Maverick and Charlie couldn’t be a couple).

Why is all this information about a movie so significant?  Both the movie and the launch of McCain’s senatorial bid occurred IN THE SAME YEAR.  It’s no wonder that McCain’s handlers had instructed Sarah Palin in her speeches on the campaign trail to refer to McCain as the “Maverick” as often as possible.  He made every effort during his long political career to be affiliated with that title and that movie in subtle (and not so subtle) ways.

From Hollywood, we return to the reality that was John McCain’s personal hell.  The “official” response of the US Navy on its assessment of the Forrestal fire is almost beyond comprehension.

Flip the page to read what the Navy says ACTUALLY happened on the USS Forrestal on that fateful day!

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