Nowadays you can’t buy many things for one penny. But if you have good connection with the US Navy you can buy yourself the USS Forrestal, the Navy first Supercarrier.The Navy awarded a $0.01 delivery order Oct. 22 for dismantling and recycling ex-USS Forrestal (AVT 59).
Accordingly to the Navy statement: “The delivery order was made under an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract to All Star Metals for the towing, dismantling and recycling of conventionally powered aircraft carriers stricken from the Naval Vessel Register.The price of the delivery order reflects the net price proposed by All Star Metals, which considered the estimated proceeds from the sale of the scrap metal to be generated from dismantling.”
The Forrestal was decommissioned Sept. 11, 1993, after more than 38 years of service. On June 16, 1999, the Navy announced the ship would be available for donation to an eligible organization for use as a museum or memorial. However, no viable applications were received and the vessel was removed from donation hold in December 2003 and redesignated for disposal. The first of the “supercarriers,” Forrestal was launched Dec. 11, 1954, by Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., and commissioned Sept. 29, 1955.
Many remember the Forrestal for the fire which erupted in 1967.The Forrestal was in the Gulf of Tonkin the morning of July 29, 1967, for the Vietnam War effort when stray voltage triggered a rocket to launch from an F-4 Phantom on the flight deck.The rocket struck an armed A-4 Skyhawk — piloted by a young Lt. Cmdr. John S. McCain III — rupturing the fuel tanks and sparking a chain reaction of fires and explosions on the deck, which was parked full of planes.
The crew fought the flight deck fire for an hour, but other fires blazed into the next day.In the aftermath, 134 men were killed and more than 300 injured. The ship was heavily damaged, and more than 26 aircraft were destroyed and more than 30 damaged. More importantly, the Forrestal fire prompted changes to the way the Navy handles damage control and helped improve disaster training.
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
they wonder why us baby boomers have so much hatred for our government. all the men that served on that ship to protect and defend our great nation. all the billions of taxpayer dollars spent to build and operate that magnificent ship. all the lives that were lost during her service. when do we the people get our money back? when and where do all those who served on her get there presence honored? the department of the navy has shown the world just exactly what it all meant and its true worth. 1 cent. no pride, no honor, no respect, no dignity, no justice, no care. just 1 cent.
shame on you senator McCain for allowing this to happen !
My father served on this ship before the fire and we never got a penny from it. It was the 1st badass aircraft carrier of it’s time and deserves an astronomical amount of respect it deserves but will never receive. God bless all who served. Daughter of LT COMMANDER Frederick W. KERR Jr. CVA59.