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.
I am in total agreement with you in this sentiment.
I've heard they say in the Navy that regulations are written in blood and the Forrestal disaster and its aftermath would seem to be a perfect example of that.