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"A human interest angle is that [Lieutenant Commander, and future] Sen. John McCain was manning one of the A-4's near the one that was hit by the Zuni. I have seen some stories that it was McCain's A-4 that was hit. I think that is incorrect. I believe it was the A-4 of LCDR Fred D. White (VA-46) which was struck by the Zuni. That's what was said in the aftermath of the fire. White did not survive." - TOM WIMBERLY, CAPTAIN, USN (Ret)(XO of VF-74 "Be-Devilers" on 29 July 1967) Link

"The rocket flew across the flight deck, striking a wing-mounted external fuel tank on an A-4E Skyhawk awaiting launch,[1] aircraft No. 405 from VA-46, piloted by Lieutenant Commander Fred D. White.[2][13] The Zuni rocket's warhead safety mechanism prevented it from detonating, but the impact tore the tank off the wing and ignited the resulting spray of escaping JP-5 fuel, causing an instantaneous conflagration. Within seconds, other external fuel tanks on White's aircraft overheated and ruptured, releasing more jet fuel to feed the flames, which began spreading along the flight deck." Link

I dislike McCain politically and don't care much for his as a person. Now that being said...It don't matter how many times facts, reason, and common sense, show clearly what happened onboard that ship the Tin Foil Conspiracy Theories Follies continue.

The Forestall fire changed forever Damage Control and Fire Fighting procedures onboard all ships especially carriers. From that fire came the development of the automatic HICAP System which at the flip of a switch at key locations could foam the decks in seconds with AFFF replacing the traditional bucket brigade and manual foaming. No other Navy fire has been vetted more and seen by more persons than Forestall. Every person in the Navy and likely USMC who enlisted after that fire have seen the raw footage of the fire at least once or in cases like myself several times in a 4 years enlistment.

To be a cover up aka conspiracy it would have to involve hundreds of sailors especially on the flight deck. John McCain had no say in where his plane was spotted Placed there by The Air Boss and ABH's} nor his mission for that matter. He had no say as to weapons loaded onboard aircraft. In short he did what he was supposed to do which when his plane was hit get out and get to safety. Aircraft spotting is highly complicated and takes into consideration everything from mission and launch order to actual weight of the aircraft involved and where they are placed.

Fires on carriers are handled mainly by Ships Company enlisted and overseen by ships company Officers. Several reasons for this. One is the cost of training pilots is astronomical. Kinda a harsh reality but true it's the economics of war. The next is ships company knows their ship. IIRC Air Dept ships company operates Crash and Salvage aka Crash and Smash the guys in the asbestos suits. When a ship goes to General Quarters pilots report to Ready Rooms not repair lockers.

It's sad but Forestall was one of at least 5 Naval tragedies in that era three of which were on carriers and the fourth was the loss of Scorpion. Add to that Pueblo and Liberty as well.

GOD rest the souls of all who died in line of duty.

“A human interest angle is that [Lieutenant Commander, and future] Sen. John McCain was manning one of the A-4’s near the one that was hit by the Zuni. I have seen some stories that it was McCain’s A-4 that was hit. I think that is incorrect. I believe it was the A-4 of LCDR Fred D. White (VA-46) which was struck by the Zuni. That’s what was said in the aftermath of the fire. White did not survive.” - TOM WIMBERLY, CAPTAIN, USN (Ret)(XO of VF-74 “Be-Devilers” on 29 July 1967) Link

“The rocket flew across the flight deck, striking a wing-mounted external fuel tank on an A-4E Skyhawk awaiting launch,[1] aircraft No. 405 from VA-46, piloted by Lieutenant Commander Fred D. White.[2][13] The Zuni rocket’s warhead safety mechanism prevented it from detonating, but the impact tore the tank off the wing and ignited the resulting spray of escaping JP-5 fuel, causing an instantaneous conflagration. Within seconds, other external fuel tanks on White’s aircraft overheated and ruptured, releasing more jet fuel to feed the flames, which began spreading along the flight deck.”
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First, the contention is with the “manning part” of the story as the cover up to the actual story. The coverup stems from being McCain going against Naval procedure and performing a “wet start” of his jet. “Wet strats” are against Naval procedures for very good reason. They create a large flame out the rear of the plane and a lot of noise. This in turn caused an electrical surge which caused the inadvertent firing of an armed, erroneously armed by the pilot, weapon from the plane which was not McCain’s. Due to the so-called “maverick” trying to show off his actions led to the firing of the rocket which caused an electrical surge to inadvertently fire an armed rocket which resulted in 134 deaths. https://www.theburningplatform.com/2015/07/23/mccain-the-hero-nearly-sunk-an-aircraft-carrier-killed-134-sailors/

The incident was covered up by the Navy due to McCain’s affiliations with his father and granfather being four-star Naval admirals.

However, McCain’s files are sealed forever as he worked feverishly to have these done so. McCain is and always the Singer.