USS Forrestal (CVA 59)

• First Supercarrier: USS Forrestal (CVA-59) was the United States Navy's first "supercarrier," commissioned in 1955, and was the lead ship of her class. • Named After a Secretary of Defense: The ship was named after James Forrestal, the first U.S. Secretary of Defense, honoring his service and contributions. • Massive Size: Forrestal was over 1,000 feet long and displaced more than 80,000 tons when fully loaded, making her the largest aircraft carrier in the world at the time of commissioning. • Tragic Fire of 1967: On July 29, 1967, a devastating fire broke out on the flight deck, killing 134 sailors and injuring 161. The incident led to significant changes in naval firefighting and safety procedures. • Future Senator John McCain: Then-Lieutenant Commander John McCain was aboard and narrowly escaped death during the 1967 fire, after his aircraft was struck by a missile. • First Angled Flight Deck: Forrestal was one of the first carriers designed and built with an angled flight deck, allowing for simultaneous launch and recovery of aircraft. • Vietnam War Service: The carrier conducted several deployments to the Mediterranean and served in the Vietnam War, launching airstrikes and providing support. • Technological Innovations: The Forrestal introduced innovations such as the steam catapult and advanced arresting gear, which became standard on future carriers. • Longest Service of Her Class: Among Forrestal-class carriers, USS Forrestal had the longest operational life, serving for 38 years before decommissioning in 1993. • Final Fate: After multiple attempts to preserve her as a museum failed, Forrestal was eventually sold for scrap in 2013 and dismantled by 2015.