The fire on the USS Forrestal occurred while the aircraft carrier was operating in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War. The incident began shortly after 10:50 AM when a crewman accidentally activated a Zuni rocket, which struck an F-4 Phantom II aircraft parked on the flight deck. The explosion ignited fuel and bombs, creating a catastrophic fire that engulfed the deck, aircraft, and portions of the ship. As firefighters and crew members responded quickly to combat the blaze, they were met with extreme heat and smoke. Rescue efforts, compounded by the chaos of the situation, led to further fatalities as ignited ammunition exploded.In total, the fire left 134 crew members dead, and hundreds more were injured. The USS Forrestal suffered significant damage, leading to substantial repairs and a temporary withdrawal from active combat operations. This incident became the worst naval disaster for the U.S. Navy since World War II, raising serious questions about operational safety and contingency planning aboard aircraft carriers. The aftermath of the fire prompted inquiries and a reevaluation of standards for fire safety and emergency response aboard naval vessels, reflecting the larger challenges faced by the military during the Vietnam War.