CVA-59 USS Forrestal

In April 1972, I received orders detaching me from ASO (Aviation Supply Office, Philadelphia), Fran and I would pack and drive to Virginia Beach and look for housing. We were pressed; selling our house in Willingboro, NJ before making the financial arraignments to buy a home in Virginia Beach.

When writing about this, remembering the pressure we felt then, I am proud how we did it. I reported to the Forrestal on Monday 8 May 1972. The ship was a bee hive of activity: me in meeting and getting to know my five officers and 70 enlisted personnel. We worked very hard expediting aviation critical repair parts and making sure the Forrestal was read for an extended cruise to the Mediterranean.

Early Monday morning when I reported to the Forrestal, moored at Pier 12, Norfolk, the pier was closed by shore patrol and local police. The entire O3 level was on fire. I met the XO at the foot of the gangway. The Shore patrol offered the use of their shore patrol vehicle as a gathering point for arriving officers and men. Should additional manpower be needed as firefighters, they would be immediately available. When asked about how many men were aboard, the XO speculated between 300 and 400. With that, the XO demanded to be taken to whoever was in charge of the fire fighting Teams and away they went.

A hole was cut into the flight deck to reach the fire from above and hundreds of gallons of water was pumped in thus ruining millions of dollars of sensitive computer/ electronic equipment. The ship had to return to the shipyard for three months of extensive repairs to the O3 Level. That was a difficult time for everyone until my relief arrived.

From the Forrestal, I was transferred to the Naval Air Station Patuxent River from 1974 until 1976 and from there to the Naval Supply Center San Diego, CA for a twilight tour where I retired after 23 Years active duty as a Regular Officer USN. When I submitted my request for retirement papers to the CO’s office, his secretary asked me if I had job offer. I said that Frances and I were having dinner with a head hunter from Houston that evening.
A few days passed, and the CO’s secretary

We had a private retirement ceremony, officiated by the CO of the Supply Center with Frances, Rod and David accompanying me. Sometime later that afternoon, the CO asked me if I had job offer, and how much would the oil company in Houston would be paying me. I could have told him, that’s none of your business. Being rude is not my way. Besides the Navy had treated me very well. I realized a boyhood dream of attending the USNA Graduating in the Class of 1957. The Navy sent me to post graduate school at the University of Kansas where I received master of science degree in Petroleum Management. I volunteered for a one tour in Viet Nam and served a two yr tour as the Supply Officer of the Forrestal CVA 59.