History of USS Forrestal in Timeline
USS Forrestal (CVA-59) was the first completed United States supercarrier, commissioned in 1955. Named after Secretary of Defense James Forrestal, it led the Forrestal-class carriers, including USS Saratoga, Ranger and Independence. It was the first carrier designed to support jet aircraft, and became the largest carrier surpassing the World War II Japanese carrier Shinano.
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July 1952: Keel laid down in July 1952
On 14 July 1952, the keel of the USS Forrestal was laid down at Newport News Shipbuilding.
December 1954: Launched on 11 December 1954
On 11 December 1954, the USS Forrestal was launched.
October 1955: Commissioned into service in October 1955
On 1 October 1955, the USS Forrestal was commissioned into service with Captain Roy L. Johnson in command.
1955: Commissioned in 1955
In 1955, the USS Forrestal was commissioned, marking it as the United States' first completed supercarrier and the lead ship of its class.
May 1956: Captain Johnson relieved in May 1956
In May 1956, Captain William Edward Ellis relieved Captain Johnson as commander of the USS Forrestal.
November 1956: Operated in the eastern Atlantic during the Suez Crisis in November 1956
On 7 November 1956, the USS Forrestal put to sea from Mayport to operate in the eastern Atlantic during the Suez Crisis, prepared to enter the Mediterranean Sea if necessary.
January 1957: First deployment with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean in January 1957
On 15 January 1957, the USS Forrestal sailed for its first deployment with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean.
July 1957: Returned to Norfolk in July 1957
On 22 July 1957, the USS Forrestal returned to Norfolk to prepare for Operation Strikeback, a NATO operation in the North Sea.
September 1958: Second tour of duty in the Mediterranean in September 1958
In September 1958, the USS Forrestal began its second tour of duty in the Mediterranean.
1958: Participation in Lebanon crisis of 1958
In 1958, USS Forrestal participated in a series of major fleet exercises and experimental flight operations and was called upon to operate in the eastern Atlantic to back up naval operations in the Mediterranean during the Lebanon crisis.
March 1959: Returned to Norfolk in March 1959
In March 1959, the USS Forrestal returned to Norfolk from its second tour in the Mediterranean.
January 1960: Went to the 6th Fleet in January 1960
In January 1960, the USS Forrestal went to the 6th Fleet, visiting various ports and participating in patrol and training schedules.
January 1961: Completed deployment to 6th Fleet in January 1961
In January 1961, the USS Forrestal completed another deployment to the 6th Fleet.
August 1961: Entered yard period at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in August 1961
In August 1961, the USS Forrestal entered a yard period at Norfolk Naval Shipyard for updates and modifications.
June 1962: Naval Air Power demonstration off the Virginia Capes in June 1962
In June 1962, the USS Forrestal, with Vice-President Lyndon B. Johnson aboard, and the USS Enterprise, with President John F. Kennedy aboard, hosted diplomats for a Naval Air Power demonstration off the Virginia Capes.
August 1962: Deployed to the Mediterranean in August 1962
In August 1962, USS Forrestal deployed to the Mediterranean, participating in NATO exercises with Enterprise, British, and French carriers.
March 1963: Flagship for Commander Carrier Division Four in March 1963
USS Forrestal, flagship for Commander Carrier Division Four, returned from deployment to the Mediterranean on 2 March 1963.
November 1963: C-130 Hercules landings and takeoffs in November 1963
In November 1963, specifically on the 8th, 21st, and 22nd, the USS Forrestal made history when LT James H. Flatley III and his crew completed 21 full-stop landings and takeoffs in a C-130 Hercules aboard the ship, setting a record for the largest and heaviest airplane landing on a Navy aircraft carrier.
1964: Operation Brother Sam in 1964
In 1964, during Operation Brother Sam, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson sent USS Forrestal to support the military coup d'état against Brazilian President João Goulart.
1965: C-2 Greyhound program became operational in 1965
The C-2 Greyhound program was developed and the first of these planes became operational in 1965 after the USS Forrestal trials.
March 1966: Stopover at Palomares, Spain in March 1966
On 15 March 1966, the USS Forrestal made a brief stopover at Palomares, Spain, to deliver personnel or material support related to the nuclear disaster cleanup and H-bomb recovery effort.
June 1967: Departed Norfolk for duty off Vietnam in June 1967
In June 1967, the USS Forrestal departed Norfolk for duty in waters off Vietnam.
July 1967: Fire on board on 29 July 1967
On 29 July 1967, while preparing for a strike in the Gulf of Tonkin, a Zuni rocket misfired on the USS Forrestal, impacting an A-4 Skyhawk and causing a massive fire that killed 134 and injured 161.
September 1967: Captain Beling relieved in September 1967
In September 1967, Captain Robert B. Baldwin relieved Captain John Kingsman Beling as commander of USS Forrestal.
1967: 1967 fire on board
In 1967, a highly publicized fire broke out on board the USS Forrestal, resulting in the deaths of 134 sailors and injuries to 161 more.
October 1968: E-2A accident in October 1968
In October 1968, during the night recovery of a VAW-123 E-2A, the aircraft went off the angled deck and into the water, resulting in three crewmen lost at sea.
December 1968: Captain Baldwin relieved in December 1968
In December 1968, Captain James W. Nance relieved Captain Robert B. Baldwin as commander of USS Forrestal.
1968: Mediterranean deployments between 1968 and 1973
Between 1968 and 1973, the USS Forrestal was deployed to Mediterranean waters four times and sped to Tunisia for rescue operations.
July 1972: Catastrophic fire in July 1972
On 10 July 1972, the USS Forrestal was the scene of a catastrophic fire set by a crewmember, causing significant damage and concern that the ship might capsize.
1973: Mediterranean deployments between 1968 and 1973
Between 1968 and 1973, the USS Forrestal was deployed to Mediterranean waters four times and sped to Tunisia for rescue operations.
June 1975: Reclassification as Multi-purpose Aircraft Carrier
In June 1975, the USS Forrestal was reclassified as a "Multi-purpose Aircraft Carrier", with the designation CV-59.
1975: Three more Mediterranean deployments between 1973 and 1975
Between 1973 and 1975, the ship logged three more Mediterranean deployments .
January 1978: A-7 Corsair II crash on flight deck
On the evening of January 15, 1978, an A-7 Corsair II from VA-81 crashed on the USS Forrestal's flight deck, killing two deck crewmen and injuring 10 others. The pilot, operating without communication gear, ejected safely but his Corsair struck other aircraft. A memorial service was held on board on January 19, and the ship returned to Mayport on February 3.
April 1978: Fire in Main Machinery Room
On April 8, 1978, a fire broke out in the Number Three Main Machinery Room of the USS Forrestal, just minutes after a general quarters drill. Freshly painted thermal insulation had been set smoldering by hot steam lines, but the fire was quickly extinguished by watch-standers.
May 1978: Participation in Operation Dawn Patrol
From May 19 to 29, 1978, the USS Forrestal participated in Operation Dawn Patrol, a NATO exercise involving air and ground forces and over 80 ships. The Forrestal's role included protecting a Turkish amphibious task group and defending against simulated "enemy" ships and aircraft alongside USS Nimitz and the French aircraft carrier Foch.
May 1978: Flooding in Guantanamo Bay
On May 10, 1978, while in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the USS Forrestal experienced flooding in a pump room that reached a height of 20 feet before being controlled. The flood damaged food storage rooms and destroyed much of the ship's fresh milk and produce. Divers plugged the leak, and total damage was estimated at $30,000.
June 1978: Air crashes during sea period
During a sea period in June 1978, the USS Forrestal experienced two separate air crashes on successive days. On June 24, LCDR T. P. Anderson was killed when his A-7E Corsair II crashed into the sea. On June 25, a pilot from VA-83, also flying an A-7E, ejected shortly after takeoff due to a catapult malfunction and was rescued by an SH-3D Sea King helicopter.
September 1978: Participation in NATO Exercise Northern Wedding
From September 4 to 19, 1978, the USS Forrestal participated in the NATO exercise Northern Wedding, which involved over 40,000 men, 22 submarines, and 800 aircraft. The exercise practiced NATO's ability to reinforce and resupply Europe. The Forrestal and HMS Ark Royal led separate task groups in support of mock amphibious landings.
October 1978: Exercise with USS Saratoga
On October 13, 1978, the USS Forrestal conducted a one-day exercise with a task group of deploying U.S. ships headed by the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga. Planes from Air Wing Seventeen conducted mock attacks on the task group to practice anti-air warfare. The Forrestal returned to Rota late in the evening.
October 1978: Return to Mayport
On October 26, 1978, the USS Forrestal returned to Mayport. On November 13, the ship commenced a four-month period of upkeep and repair known as an Extended Selected Restricted Availability (ESRA) at the carrier pier in Mayport. The USS Forrestal ended 1978 moored to the carrier pier in Mayport.
August 1979: Emergency Deployment due to Hurricane David
On August 27, 1979, the USS Forrestal made an emergency deployment due to Hurricane David. The ship traveled through the main part of the storm, carrying a skeleton crew and no aircraft to avoid potential damage at the carrier pier.
October 1980: Silver Anniversary Celebration
In October 1980, the USS Forrestal celebrated her silver anniversary.
March 1981: 16th Mediterranean Deployment Begins
On March 2, 1981, the USS Forrestal began her 16th Mediterranean deployment and second quarter century of naval service. During this deployment, Forrestal maintained a high state of readiness for 53 consecutive days during the Syria/Israel missile crisis and participated in a Gulf of Sidra exercise.
January 1983: Shift to Philadelphia for SLEP
On January 18, 1983, the USS Forrestal shifted homeport to Philadelphia Naval Shipyard to begin a 28-month, $550 million Service Life Extension Program (SLEP).
May 1985: Completion of SLEP and Departure from Philadelphia
On May 20, 1985, the USS Forrestal completed its Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) and left Philadelphia. Following a four-day transit, it returned to its homeport of Mayport and began workups for its first deployment in over four years.
June 1986: 19th Deployment
On June 2, 1986, the USS Forrestal departed Mayport for her 19th deployment. During this cruise, Forrestal aircraft operated in the international airspace of the Tripoli Flight region and participated in Operation Sea Wind and Display Determination.
April 1988: 20th Major Deployment
On April 25, 1988, the USS Forrestal departed on her 20th major deployment, steaming directly to the North Arabian Sea via the Suez Canal in support of America's Earnest Will operations.
October 1988: Return from 20th Deployment
On October 7, 1988, the USS Forrestal returned from her 20th major deployment, having spent 108 consecutive days at sea and operating in three ocean areas. The ship received the Meritorious Unit Commendation for her superior operational performance.
May 1989: Participation in New York City's Fleet Week
In May 1989, after a stand down period, the USS Forrestal participated in New York City's Fleet Week.
October 1989: Fire Delays Deployment
On October 9, 1989, a fire on the USS Forrestal caused major damage to a primary command and control trunk space, delaying her deployment. The fire caused around $2.5 million in damage and injured 11 sailors.
November 1989: Departure for 21st Deployment
On November 6, 1989, the USS Forrestal departed for her 21st major deployment after completing repairs from the fire that occurred on October 9, 1989.
April 1990: Return to Mayport
On April 12, 1990, the USS Forrestal returned to Mayport, ending a deployment which had included nine port visits in seven different countries.
May 1990: Drydocking at Mayport
From May 14, 1990, the USS Forrestal completed a drydocking selected restricted availability at Mayport.
August 1990: End of drydocking at Mayport
On August 27, 1990, the USS Forrestal completed a drydocking selected restricted availability at Mayport.
November 1990: Repairs at Norfolk Naval Shipyard and return to Mayport
From September to November 21, 1990, the USS Forrestal underwent repairs at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, including work on the catapult system and hull modifications to accommodate the F/A-18 Hornet. Forrestal returned to Mayport on November 21, 1990.
May 1991: Final Operational Deployment Commenced
In May 1991, the USS Forrestal commenced its 22nd and final operational deployment.
September 1992: Arrival in Philadelphia for Overhaul
On September 14, 1992, the USS Forrestal arrived in Philadelphia to begin a 14-month, $157 million complex overhaul in preparation for its new role as a training carrier.
September 1993: Decommissioned and Stricken from Naval Vessel Register
On September 11, 1993, after more than 37 years of service, the USS Forrestal was decommissioned at Pier 6E in Philadelphia and was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on the same day.
1993: Decommissioned in 1993
In 1993, the USS Forrestal was decommissioned after nearly four decades of service and made available as a museum.
1993: Navy Decides to Decommission Forrestal
In early 1993, the Navy decided to decommission the USS Forrestal, which meant that the Navy would be without a dedicated training carrier.
1998: Ship Stored at Naval Station Newport
Since 1998, ex-Forrestal had been stored at Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island.
June 1999: Navy Announced Ship Available for Donation
On June 16, 1999, the Navy announced that the ex-Forrestal would be available for donation to an eligible organization for use as a museum or memorial.
May 2003: Hercules retired to the National Naval Aviation Museum in May 2003
In May 2003, the Hercules used in the 1963 USS Forrestal trials, BuNo 149798, was retired to the National Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.
December 2003: Vessel Removed From Donation Hold
In December 2003, after no viable applications were received, the ex-Forrestal was removed from donation hold and redesignated for disposal.
2007: Ship Prepared for Sinking as Artificial Reef
In 2007, the ex-Forrestal was environmentally prepared for sinking as an artificial reef, similar to what was done with the USS Oriskany, but the plan never materialized.
June 2010: Ex-Forrestal Departs Naval Station Newport
On June 15, 2010, the ex-Forrestal departed Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island, under tow for the inactive ship storage facility in Philadelphia and tied up at Pier 4, next to ex-USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67).
January 2012: Notice of Solicitation Posted for Dismantlement
On January 26, 2012, the Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command posted a notice of solicitation for the towing and complete dismantlement of multiple CV-59/CV-63 Class aircraft carriers in the United States, to include ex-Forrestal (CV-59), ex-USS Independence (CV-62), ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60), and ex-USS Constellation (CV-64).
May 2012: Solicitations Posted for Dismantlement
In May 2012, solicitations were posted for the towing and complete dismantlement of multiple CV-59/CV-63 Class aircraft carriers in the United States, to include ex-Forrestal (CV-59), ex-USS Independence (CV-62), ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60), and ex-USS Constellation (CV-64).
February 2014: Towed to Brownsville, Texas in February 2014
In February 2014, after attempts to preserve it as a museum failed, the USS Forrestal was towed to Brownsville, Texas, to be scrapped.
February 2014: Departure for Scrapping in Brownsville
On February 4, 2014, the ex-Forrestal left the Philadelphia Naval Yard and arrived at All Star Metals in Brownsville on February 18, 2014 for final scrapping.
December 2015: Scrapping Completed
According to the Naval Vessel Register, scrapping of the ex-Forrestal was completed on December 15, 2015.
December 2015: Scrapping completed in December 2015
In December 2015, the scrapping of the USS Forrestal was completed in Brownsville, Texas.
July 2023: Anchors Preserved and Installed on USS John C. Stennis
In July 2023, The ships anchors were preserved and installed on USS John C. Stennis during refueling and complex overhaul.
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