West Freemason in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

USS Forrestal CVA/CV/AVT-59

October 1955 -September 1993

— First in Defense -Forever in Dignity —

USS Forrestal CVA/CV/AVT-59 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 11, 2010

1. USS Forrestal CVA/CV/AVT-59 Marker

Inscription. In memory of the 134 men that died on 29 July 1967 during a tragic fire on board the USS Forrestal CVA-59 while conducting combat operations against North Vietnam. An additional 142 shipmates lost their lives while serving on USS Forrestal during her 38 years of commissioned service to our great country. No words can adequately express what our hearts feel. We remember their spirit, love for their shipmates, pride in the USS Forrestal, dedication to the U.S. Navy, and their country.
They are remembered by all of their shipmates of The USS Forrestal CVA/CV/AVT-59.

Erected 2002 by They are remembered by all of their shipmates of The USS Forrestal CVA/CV/AVT-59.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Notable Events • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is July 29, 1967.

Location. 36° 50.921′ N, 76° 17.665′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in West Freemason. It is on Bousch Street near Wisconsin Square, foot of Harbour St.. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: USS Liberty AGTR-5 (here,

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next to this marker); USS Scorpion (SSN-589) (here, next to this marker); USS Nimitz (CVN-68) (here, next to this marker); USS Cole (DDG 67) (here, next to this marker); USS Belknap (CG 26) (here, next to this marker); USS Iowa (BB-61) (here, next to this marker); USS Newport News CA-148 (here, next to this marker); The Pentagon (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia: USS Forrestal (CV-59). Forrestal was the first American aircraft carrier to be constructed with an angled flight deck, steam catapult, and landing signal lights, as opposed to having them installed after launching (Submitted on August 27, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

2. NavSourch Online:Aircraft Carrier Photo Archive. CVA-59 was named after James Vincent Forrestal (1892-1949). He became the first Under Secretary of the Navy in August 1940, charged with building the world's largest Fleet. (Submitted on August 27, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

3. USS Forrestal on Navsource. In addition to a wide collection of

USS Forrestal CVA/CV/AVT-59 Marker (Right) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, January 19, 2022

2. USS Forrestal CVA/CV/AVT-59 Marker (Right)

photos of the ship, the ship's logs from the time period of the fire are hosted here. There is also a link to a notable documentary. (Submitted on June 25, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.)

Additional commentary.
1. John McCain's Involvement
Contrary to the smear campaign of 2000, the fire aboard Forrestal was in no way caused by the late Senator John McCain, who was aboard as a pilot at the time of the accident. In fact, it was McCain's aircraft that was hit by the Zuni rocket errantly fired from across the deck - his plane was not the source, nor was he in any way involved in the series of events that led to the rocket launching.

— Submitted June 25, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.

USS Forrestal (CVA-59) Underway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by USS Forrestal Photo Lab, circa 1957

3. USS Forrestal (CVA-59) Underway

Photo lab serial # CVA-59-6321-L-7-57. US Navy, Public Domain via navsource.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 937 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 27, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2. submitted on January 22, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on June 25, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.