THE OFFICIAL NAVAL RESPONSE TO THE FORRESTAL FIRE
The US Navy, of course, delved into a deep investigation as to the causes of the Forrestal blaze and had come to many different conclusions that sought to explain why a Zuni munition had suddenly fired across the flight deck and struck Lieutenant Commander Fred D. White’s and McCain’s A-4 Skyhawk jets. From faulty wiring to mishandling by flight deck crewman who were hand-attaching the bombs rather than using lift equipment, to poor fueling practices.
To be honest, the Navy is not saying exactly why the fire began, but only that it occurred by the sudden and inexplicable ignition and detonation of a Zuni bomb. What is sure is that the information from the inquest may never be made public (at least that which is not heavily redacted) due to the status of the man who may have been directly responsible.
Some argue that John McCain was never busted down in rank or brought up on charges for the deaths of these sailors and airmen, but there is no denying that he would not be the first man (or woman) to benefit from having powerful family or friends to halt criminal charges or proceedings (think Hillary Clinton).
I offer a small argument to that opinion: Why is it that a man who was in the service from 1958 to 1981 (23 years) retired with a slew of medals and commendations…as a CAPTAIN? He entered military service as a First Lieutenant (instead of a Second Lieutenant due to college credits). How did a man who was such an exemplary military member with credits out the wazoo, end up retiring with only a single promotion?
Three words: It’s not possible.
Unless there is something compelling that I missed in the many thousands of words written about his 23 years of service, having gained a single promotion in all that time is in and of itself telling. He was either THE most forgotten and passed-over single hero in the history of the Navy…OR…we’re not getting the full story.
Having a very powerful family behind you in the military is one thing; it will keep you out of the brig, for the most part. And it will most likely just get you shifted around from one command to the next (like Forrestal to Okiskany, for example). But it will not get you promoted. Especially not AFTER your very important family gets wind that you’re making anti-American propaganda films for the enemy!
In his own book, McCain regrets agreeing to the making of these videos (which were played over a loudspeaker every day in prison camps around North Vietnam) after he realizes through the grapevine that his father found out about them. By the way, they never talked about this shameful part of his past, all the way to his death.
Of enormous interest to people who have followed the career of McCain is the US Navy’s film record of the fire on the aircraft carrier. Yes, it’s true. The US Navy video-documented the actual Forrestal fire as it occurred.
Turn the page to watch this disturbing footage!
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.