Gerald Albert Wehde

Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class
VA-65, CVW-17, USS FORRESTAL
United States Navy
24 December 1943 - 29 July 1967
Old Monroe, MO
Panel 24E Line 048

USS FORRESTAL

VA-65
National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Gerald Albert Wehde

30 Sepember 2003

Four of my squadronmates died on 29 July 1967,
in the fire aboard USS FORRESTAL on Yankee Station:

Lieutenant Robert E Geller

Petty Officer 2nd Class Thomas J Dawson

Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph C Shartzer

Petty Officer 3nd Class Gerald A Wehde

They are remembered.

Mark Whitworth
Attack Squadron 65, 1966-70
E-mail address is not available.

A Note from The Virtual Wall

USS FORRESTAL arrived on Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin on 25 July 1967 and immediately began combat operations. The first four days were routine; the fifth day, 29 July, was not.

At 10:52 AM a 5-inch Zuni rocket accidentally fired across the crowded flight deck, impacting an armed A-4 Skyhawk. The resulting explosions and fires raged for 13 hours and more, killing 135 crewmen with hundreds more injured.

More information and a list of the dead are on The Virtual Wall's
USS FORRESTAL Memorial





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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Channing Prothro, former CAP Marine
Last updated 08/10/2009