Forrestal (CVA 59) - Naval Cruise Book

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Dedication XRD E K Il Q V I 52 1

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i'il Um Decommissioning Annual 4 Fen 1992 - 30 Sept 1993 ' V if . Q.,-,mgQ,,g - , V - .

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CCD' Dedication This book chronicles the jinal accomplishments of the United States Ship Forrestal CAVT-591 Between its covers is the F orrestal's joyous arrival in Pensacola, dramatic training and fleet carrier qualwcations, our adventurous New Orleans port visit, educational dependents, cruise and the daily workings of the crew. This book contains many fond memories and records the accomplishments of a great, proud warship and the exceptional crew that gave her lure. Many memories lie within every corner of F orrestal. . .from her highest mast to the keel 22 stories below, from the unforgiving flight deck to the round-the-clock crew services provided on the second deck, there was pride and an immortal commitment to tradition and nation that remains the heart and soul ofForrestal. Uher bulkheads and deck plates could speak, they would tell ofForrestal's commissioning in 1955, 21 forward deployments, the tragic 1967 fire, her mission upgrades, overhauls and homeport changes. The FID - First in Dqfense - has been called home', by thousands of sailors. She has visited many lands, dqfended freedom over six oceans and seas, hosted countless visitors and bonded many sailors as shipmates and lufe-long friends. Her decommissioning is a sad event. Never again will she sail the seas or protect the innocent from persecutors. . . her engines are now silent, the steam from the catapults that drwfed across the flight deck has evoporated and the smell of freshly baked bread from the Galley is only a memory. And yet, while 1 walked Forrestal's empty and silent decks these last remaining weeks, I can almost hear the laughter ofthe crew, the general alarm during training drills and the boatswain's pipe signaling mail call. Being the final commanding ojjicer for the FID has been a proud and momumental honor - one I shall never forget. To me and many others, the F orrestal's decommissioning is like saying farewell to a very good friend. But, as with all things, 1 believe that as long as we hold our fondest memories within our hearts, the tradition and hertiage of F orrestal will never end. It is appropriate 1 take this opportunity to express my most sincere gratitude to each and every officer, sailor and family member. Your sacrwces have been many. While all of us are going our seperate ways, 1 feel uplwed by the fact that the heart and soul of F orrestal, her excellence, is being trancyferred throughout the fleet. You truly are the finest crew in the Navy and that will be proven as F orrestal sailors begin their new assignments. I hope you will take this Decommissioning Annual from your bookshebf from time to time, dust it off and reminisce about the many memories, history and traditions it contains. Again, my fondest regards for each of you and for the spirit of the Mighty F orrestal. May she sail with fair winds and fm? Captain Robert L. fohnson,jr. Commanding Ojjicer following seas, forever in dignity. Dedication 3