LEE-WILLIAM

DIED  IN  FIRE  ON  USS  FORRESTAL  -  7/29/1967

On July 29, 1967 during the Vietnam War, the carrier USS Forrestal was in the Gulf of Tonkin preparing to launch a major strike and many fully fueled and armed aircraft were on the flight deck when a 5” Zuni rocket experienced an accidentally electrical surge causing the rocket to fire and impact an armed A-4 Skyhawk.  Although the rocket did not explode the rocket’s impact ruptured a 400-gallon external fuel tank and ignited the jet fuel as it poured out.  A 1,000-pound bomb also fell into the spreading flaming fuel.  As the first responders rushed to the scene the bomb exploded instantly killing the group.  A second wave of personnel followed and were also wiped from view by an explosion.  Continually responding sailors were driven back by explosions, growing flames, and tremendous heat.  Within the first few minutes of the fire nine 500 and 1,000 pound bombs exploded.  The ship’s crew valiantly fought the fire, and it was almost 18-hours before the last fire was extinguished.  The damage was extensive, 134 were dead, 161 more injured, and 21 aircraft destroyed.  Forrestal was able to steam from the scene under her own power, was later repaired, and continued to serve until 1993 when the carrier was decommissioned after 38 years of active service.  Repairs from the fire damage took five months, cost $72 million, and was the worst carrier fire since World War II.

Unfortunately. ABEAN William Lee was one of the fatalities.  Readily available historical records contain little concerning him in addition to the details of his death.  Records report he was posthumously awarded the Navy and  Marine Corps Medal for his actions during the fire.  He is buried at Chesterton Cemetery in Chesterton, Indiana, where his grave marker carries the inscription:  ABEAN  -  US NAVY  -  VIETNAM.

NAVY  AND  MARINE  CORPS  MEDAL  CITATION

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Aviation Boatswain's Mate Airman William Lee (NSN: B-517679), United States Navy, for heroism on 29 July 1967, while serving aboard USS FORRESTAL (CVA-59).  When a fire-swept through bomb-laden aircraft on the flight deck, Airman Lee ran to the nearest fog/foam station and attempted to bring the hose to bear on the burning aircraft.  As he neared the plane, he was fatally injured when a bomb detonated.

                        

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)