Title: A resolution recognizing the sailors and marines who gave their lives for ship and shipmates while fighting the devastating 1967 fire onboard the USS Forrestal and commemorating, during the week of the 55th anniversary of the tragic event, the efforts of the sailors and marines who survived the fire.
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
This resolution commemorates the 55th anniversary of the fire onboard the USS Forrestal, recognizes the sailors and marines who gave their lives while fighting the fire, and commemorates the efforts of the sailors and marines who survived the fire.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 744 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>






117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 744

 Recognizing the sailors and marines who gave their lives for ship and 
  shipmates while fighting the devastating 1967 fire onboard the USS 
Forrestal and commemorating, during the week of the 55th anniversary of 
 the tragic event, the efforts of the sailors and marines who survived 
                               the fire.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 4, 2022

   Mr. Lankford (for himself, Ms. Ernst, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Rubio, Ms. 
Sinema, Mr. Braun, Mr. Peters, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Hagerty, Mr. Daines, Ms. 
  Warren, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. King, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. 
     Rounds, Mr. Wicker, and Ms. Baldwin) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the sailors and marines who gave their lives for ship and 
  shipmates while fighting the devastating 1967 fire onboard the USS 
Forrestal and commemorating, during the week of the 55th anniversary of 
 the tragic event, the efforts of the sailors and marines who survived 
                               the fire.

Whereas, in 1967, the ongoing naval bombing campaign against North Vietnam from 
        Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin was one of the most intense and 
        sustained air attack operations in the history of the Navy;
Whereas, on June 6, 1967, the USS Forrestal and Carrier Air Wing 17 departed 
        Norfolk, Virginia, for duty in the Western Pacific;
Whereas, on July 28, 1967, during an underway replenishment, the crew of the USS 
        Forrestal were required to onload deteriorated bombs, which were more 
        vulnerable to exploding at high temperatures;
Whereas, on July 29, 1967, the older ordnance were used to avoid canceling a 
        planned strike mission over North Vietnam;
Whereas, despite safety precautions taken by the crew, on July 29, 1967, a 
        devastating fire erupted on the USS Forrestal after--

    (1) a malfunction in a parked aircraft caused the aircraft to fire a 
Zuni rocket that ruptured a fuel tank on another aircraft; and

    (2) the burning fuel ignited a chain reaction of 9 bomb explosions on 
the flight deck;

Whereas the explosions destroyed multiple aircraft and tore massive holes in the 
        armored flight deck of the USS Forrestal, and burning fuel dripped into 
        the living quarters of the crew and the aircraft hangar below deck;
Whereas, for 18 hours, sailors and marines on the USS Forrestal, assisted by 
        helicopters and crews from 8 other ships, fought to bring the fire under 
        control while hospital corpsmen navigated the mangled flight deck and 
        tended to the wounded; and
Whereas the fire onboard the USS Forrestal ultimately--

    (1) left 134 men dead and 161 men injured;

    (2) destroyed 21 aircraft; and

    (3) caused the USS Forrestal to terminate its support to the fight in 
Vietnam and return to Norfolk, Virginia, for repairs: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) commemorates the 55th anniversary of the fire onboard 
        the USS Forrestal;
            (2) recognizes the sailors and marines who gave their lives 
        for ship and shipmates while fighting the devastating fire and 
        commemorates the efforts of the sailors and marines who 
        survived the fire;
            (3) recognizes that--
                    (A) if not for the heroic actions of the crew of 
                the USS Forrestal, the consequences of the fire would 
                have been far more devastating to the sailors and 
                marines onboard and the USS Forrestal; and
                    (B) the selfless sacrifices of the sailors and 
                marines who came to the rescue of fellow shipmates and 
                the USS Forrestal represent, and are consistent with, 
                the highest traditions of the Navy; and
            (4) expresses gratitude to the sailors and marines who 
        served aboard the USS Forrestal for their faithful service.
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