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USS Forrestal (CVA-59)
USS Forrestal - The First Super Carrier:
USS Forrestal (CV-59) was the first of a new class of aircraft carriers, known as the Forrestal-class, built for the United States Navy in the 1950s. Named after the first Secretary of Defense, James Forrestal, the ship was commissioned in October 1955 and served in various conflicts throughout its career, including the Vietnam War. In this article, we will explore the history of the USS Forrestal and its impact on naval warfare.
Design and Construction
The USS Forrestal was designed to be a "super carrier" that could carry a larger number of aircraft than previous carriers. The ship was built by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Virginia and was launched on December 11, 1954. It was commissioned on October 1, 1955, with Captain Roy L. Johnson as its first commanding officer.
The Forrestal-class carriers were the first to feature an angled flight deck, which allowed for simultaneous takeoffs and landings. They also had steam catapults, which allowed planes to take off with heavier loads. The carriers were powered by eight Westinghouse geared turbines, which could propel the ship to a top speed of 33 knots.
Early Career
After commissioning, USS Forrestal underwent shakedown cruises and training exercises in the Atlantic Ocean. In 1956, the ship was deployed to the Mediterranean as part of the Sixth Fleet. The following year, the carrier was sent to the North Atlantic to participate in NATO exercises.
In the early 1960s, USS Forrestal underwent a major overhaul to modernize its equipment and weapons systems. It was also fitted with a new flight deck that could accommodate the larger planes of the time, including the F-4 Phantom and the A-6 Intruder.
Vietnam War
USS Forrestal played a significant role in the Vietnam War. In 1964, the ship was sent to the South China Sea to provide air support for American troops in Vietnam. During its first deployment, the carrier launched more than 7,000 sorties and dropped over 12,000 tons of bombs on enemy targets.
The ship returned to the United States in 1965 for a brief overhaul before being sent back to Vietnam. On July 29, 1967, tragedy struck when a missile accidentally fired from one of the carrier's planes and struck a parked aircraft, causing a chain reaction of explosions and fires on the flight deck. The incident resulted in the deaths of 134 sailors and injured another 161.
After repairs, USS Forrestal returned to Vietnam in 1968 and continued to provide air support for American troops until the end of the war in 1975.
Post-Vietnam Career and Decommissioning
After the Vietnam War, USS Forrestal continued to serve in various operations, including the Lebanese Civil War and the Gulf War. The ship was also used as a training carrier for naval aviators.
In 1993, USS Forrestal was decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register. The ship was eventually sold for scrap in 2014.
Legacy
USS Forrestal was a groundbreaking carrier that introduced many new technologies and design features to naval warfare. Its angled flight deck and steam catapults became standard features on subsequent carriers, and its larger size and capacity allowed for more advanced aircraft to be deployed.
The ship also played a significant role in the Vietnam War and paved the way for future carriers to become important assets in modern warfare.
In conclusion, the USS Forrestal was a remarkable ship that had a significant impact on naval history. Its legacy can still be seen today in the modern carriers that continue to serve in the US Navy.
USS Forrestal (CV-59) was the first of a new class of aircraft carriers, known as the Forrestal-class, built for the United States Navy in the 1950s. Named after the first Secretary of Defense, James Forrestal, the ship was commissioned in October 1955 and served in various conflicts throughout its career, including the Vietnam War. In this article, we will explore the history of the USS Forrestal and its impact on naval warfare.
Design and Construction
The USS Forrestal was designed to be a "super carrier" that could carry a larger number of aircraft than previous carriers. The ship was built by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Virginia and was launched on December 11, 1954. It was commissioned on October 1, 1955, with Captain Roy L. Johnson as its first commanding officer.
The Forrestal-class carriers were the first to feature an angled flight deck, which allowed for simultaneous takeoffs and landings. They also had steam catapults, which allowed planes to take off with heavier loads. The carriers were powered by eight Westinghouse geared turbines, which could propel the ship to a top speed of 33 knots.
Early Career
After commissioning, USS Forrestal underwent shakedown cruises and training exercises in the Atlantic Ocean. In 1956, the ship was deployed to the Mediterranean as part of the Sixth Fleet. The following year, the carrier was sent to the North Atlantic to participate in NATO exercises.
In the early 1960s, USS Forrestal underwent a major overhaul to modernize its equipment and weapons systems. It was also fitted with a new flight deck that could accommodate the larger planes of the time, including the F-4 Phantom and the A-6 Intruder.
Vietnam War
USS Forrestal played a significant role in the Vietnam War. In 1964, the ship was sent to the South China Sea to provide air support for American troops in Vietnam. During its first deployment, the carrier launched more than 7,000 sorties and dropped over 12,000 tons of bombs on enemy targets.
The ship returned to the United States in 1965 for a brief overhaul before being sent back to Vietnam. On July 29, 1967, tragedy struck when a missile accidentally fired from one of the carrier's planes and struck a parked aircraft, causing a chain reaction of explosions and fires on the flight deck. The incident resulted in the deaths of 134 sailors and injured another 161.
After repairs, USS Forrestal returned to Vietnam in 1968 and continued to provide air support for American troops until the end of the war in 1975.
Post-Vietnam Career and Decommissioning
After the Vietnam War, USS Forrestal continued to serve in various operations, including the Lebanese Civil War and the Gulf War. The ship was also used as a training carrier for naval aviators.
In 1993, USS Forrestal was decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register. The ship was eventually sold for scrap in 2014.
Legacy
USS Forrestal was a groundbreaking carrier that introduced many new technologies and design features to naval warfare. Its angled flight deck and steam catapults became standard features on subsequent carriers, and its larger size and capacity allowed for more advanced aircraft to be deployed.
The ship also played a significant role in the Vietnam War and paved the way for future carriers to become important assets in modern warfare.
In conclusion, the USS Forrestal was a remarkable ship that had a significant impact on naval history. Its legacy can still be seen today in the modern carriers that continue to serve in the US Navy.
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