Thanks Rapparee for your post Rapparee - 28 Jul 17 - 01:31 PM and the supplied link - Log of the USS Forestall for the day of the fire. - which basically backs up everything I have stated on the incident and makes it perfectly clear that neither Lt-Cdr John McCain USN, or any other member of the crew of the USS Forrestal had anything to do with incident that occurred on board the USS Forrestal fifty years ago today.

Extract 1:
"The tragic fire began with the accidental launching of a Zuni rocket from a F-4B Phantom aircraft. This rocket launch was not the result of error on the part of the crew. The rocket streaked across the flight deck and struck the external fuel tank of an A-4E Skyhawk aircraft, spilling volatile aviation fuel across the flight deck. Within five seconds the fuel ignited, spreading under other aircraft loaded with ordnance and fueled for the second launch of that morning. Huge clouds of black smoke billowed three hundred feet into the air. Scores of flight deck personnel rushed to contain the spread of the flames from reaching thirteen adjoining aircraft all loaded with ordnance. In one minute and thirty-four seconds after the fire started, the first 1000 lb. bomb exploded. Flying shrapnel tore into other aircraft, ruptured more fuel tanks, and spread lakes of flaming aviation fuel over the deck. In a period of four minutes, seven major high order explosions shook the entire ship ripping seven huge holes through the thick armored steel flight deck with some reaching through the ship to the water line. Countless high and low order detonations continued. Some 40,000 gallons of jet plane fuel leaking from punctured aircraft fuel tanks, spread into holes ripped through the deck, spreading flames to many compartments far below the flight deck. Courageous fire fighting teams, officers, and enlisted men were knocked down, injured, or killed by the series of explosions. Rockets, missiles, and 20 mm shells shot across the flight deck, and ejection seats fired into the air. Twelve minutes after the last major explosion, but with minor explosions continuing, flight deck directors moved aircraft from near the island super structure while fire fighting teams kept the fire from advancing farther forward. Aircraft, some still in flames, were jettisoned in an effort to keep the fire from spreading. Fires continued out of control in the after part of the ship far into the night. Finally the fire was extinguished at 0400, 30 July 1967. Heroic crewmembers risked life and limb to battle the blaze, rescue fellow crewmembers and save their ship.
The crew of over 5,000 men saved their ship. One Hundred Thirty-four crewmembers made the supreme sacrifice. One hundred sixty-one men were injured with sixty-four personnel sustaining severe injuries. - Source - Ken Killmeyer, USS Forrestal Association Historian.
Aboard July 29, 1967.

Extract 2:
"1052
Zuni rocket accidentally launches, striking an A-4E Skyhawk spotted on port side. Fuel of center line fuel tank begins leaking. Fuel tank erupts. Called away fire parties to man fog foam stations.
Called away General Quarters. All hands manning General Quarters stations, setting material condition Zebra throughout the ship." - Source - Official Log Entry, USS Forrestal, 29th July 1967

Extract 3:
"P.S.: 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." - Source - PERSONAL REMINISCENCES OF TOM WIMBERLY, CAPTAIN, USN (Ret) - XO of VF-74 "Be-Devilers" on 29 July 1967

Yet Donuel persists in his despicable lie. Instead of believing hard evidence Donuel would prefer to rely on the drivel published by Lew Rockwell in a blog - unfortunately it is obvious that on this particular matter Lew Rockwell knows JACK SHIT.


Plan of Deck - USS Forrestal

The Above Plan shows the positions of the aircraft ranged on the Forrestal's flight deck. The F4 Phantom from which the rocket was fired is starboard aft. McCain's aircraft an A4E Skyhawk (Aircraft 416) is clearly shown further up the deck on the port side of the carrier.