THE WALL OF FACES

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Never forgotten.

Semper Fortis

Dear FA Barry Myhr, Thank you for your service as a Fireman Apprentice Interior Communication Electrician Striker on the USS F D ROOSEVELT. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Happy New Year. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Fireman Apprentice Barry Berndt Myhr, Served aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, Carrier Aircraft Wing 1 (CVW-1), Task Force 77 (TF-77), 7th Fleet.

On November 4, 1966, while on station in the South China Sea, a flash fire broke out aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42) in a supply storeroom below the hangar deck and took the lives of eight crewmen. The fire was caused by the chemical calcium hypochlorite coming in contact with flammable liquids. The eight crewmen in the storeroom were asphyxiated when they attempted to seek shelter in a compartment adjacent to the storeroom. The lost crewmen included FN Thomas L. Blackman, SA Vincent C. Bourdeau, AA Sebern E. Graham Jr., SA Donald R. Johnston, FA Charles E. Mitcham, FA Barry B. Myhr, FA Allan A. Schwarzkopf, and FN Garry D. Tackett. [Taken from ussfranklindroosevelt.com] The following account was found on the electronic bulletin board at military.com and contains a distinct history from the official narrative: The fire happened in an oil/fuel storage compartment about 3 levels down from the hangar bay. It was a massive explosion, the compartment was sealed due to a flare locker next door. When the fire could not be contained, and in order to protect the ship, the compartments were flooded, and all vents were closed. Dozens of men suffered burns and hundreds from smoke inhalation. Two of the men were trapped in air passages and suffocated, two drowned from the flooding, even though newspapers claim all were killed instantly. Four were killed by fire, none instantly. [Taken from the Bulletin Board for USS Franklin D. Roosevelt - CV 42 at military.com]