[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 234 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 234

Recognizing the Sailors and Marines who sacrificed their lives for ship 
  and shipmates while fighting the devastating 1967 fire onboard USS 
 Forrestal and, during the week of the 50th anniversary of the tragic 
        event, commemorating the efforts of those who survived.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 27, 2017

  Mrs. Ernst (for herself, Mr. Cotton, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Inhofe, Ms. 
   Warren, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. King, Mr. Cruz, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mrs. 
  McCaskill, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Donnelly, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. 
 Tillis, Mr. Reed, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Graham, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Hirono, Mr. 
   Peters, Mr. Sasse, Mr. Perdue, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Strange, and Mr. 
Heinrich) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                      Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the Sailors and Marines who sacrificed their lives for ship 
  and shipmates while fighting the devastating 1967 fire onboard USS 
 Forrestal and, during the week of the 50th anniversary of the tragic 
        event, commemorating the efforts of those who survived.

Whereas, in 1967, the ongoing naval bombing campaign against North Vietnam from 
        Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin was the most intense and sustained 
        air attack operation in the history of the United States Navy;
Whereas, in June 1967, USS Forrestal and Carrier Air Wing Seventeen departed 
        Norfolk, Virginia, for duty in the Gulf of Tonkin;
Whereas, on July 28, 1967, during an underway replenishment, the crew of USS 
        Forrestal reluctantly onloaded volatile bombs that were not intended for 
        carrier use in order to meet the combat requirements for strikes the 
        next day;
Whereas, despite safety precautions taken by the crew, a devastating fire 
        erupted on USS Forrestal after--

    (1) an electrical surge 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 USS Forrestal, and burning fuel dripped into the 
        living quarters of the crew and the below-decks aircraft hangar;
Whereas, for 18 hours, Sailors and Marines on USS Forrestal, assisted by others 
        from accompanying destroyers, 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 USS Forrestal ultimately--

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

    (2) destroyed more than 21 aircraft; and

    (3) caused 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) recognizes that--
                    (A) if not for the heroic actions of the crew of 
                USS Forrestal, the consequences of the fire would have 
                been far more devastating to the Sailors and Marines 
                onboard and the aircraft carrier itself; and
                    (B) the selfless sacrifices of those who came to 
                the rescue of fellow shipmates and USS Forrestal 
                represent, and are consistent with, the highest 
                traditions of the United States Navy;
            (2) commemorates the 50th anniversary of the USS Forrestal 
        fire; and
            (3) expresses gratitude to the Sailors and Marines who 
        served aboard USS Forrestal for their faithful service.
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