Wow, your note gave me the shivers. You know, over the years this stuff keeps comming up.
Several years ago I signed up with the VA for medical and 8 months later they couldn't find that I was even on the KH! Ha! She had been my only duty station. Go figger.
Dale

An update concerning this fire in MMR1 is available on the Forum, subject "Fire in 1 Main machinery room" and dated Nov 24, 2007 - 7:57 PM.

Thank you for your service, you probably helped to eventually get my brother Michael Deverich home which took forever since the ship was out to sea. Long time before we were able to get his body home....someone told me they "dumped" them in the Phillipines or somewhere close to there first... So sad. December is always a terrible month for me, he was new on the ship, only 19. I was 12 when I was called out of class to get the news, numb, that's all I remember, was very hard to process & comprehend as a 12 year old... Thank you again for your service and any help you had getting my brother hone. My

I was in P1 Div 1MMr. I knew three of the men. We were close. The other three were new to the division. It still haunts me that I survived.

The only thing that I can lend is my friend Rick Parcells s account,from when they returned from the Med cruise back in 74.I left the ship in the summer of 73 while we were still in SF.Ricky told me that the fire killed several of our friends and that he had to assist in the identification of the bodies.Rick was out of #4MMR as was I.I cannot locate my friend Ricky.He is from So Cal,Huntington Beach is where he and his family lived.His Dad owned a used car buis.there.I saw him last in Long Beach in 83 when he stayed where I lived at the time.He and I were best friends.Would like to see him again someday.

I WAS ON THE MESS DECKS EATING SUPPER THAT NIGHT AND MY BROTHER, JOE, WAS ON DUTY IN THE PERSONNEL OFFICE. LIKE EVERYONE ELSE THAT ENDURED THAT CATASTROPHE, I WILL NEVER FORGET IT. IT SEEMS LIKE JUST YESTERDAY THAT IT HAPPENED. MY GQ STATION (7A, i BELIEVE) I WAS TOLD, WAS THE MAIN FIRE PARTY THAT FOUGHT THE FIRE, EVEN THOUGH AT A TIME OF CRISIS, THERE IS NO "MAIN PARTY". EVERY SAILOR HAS A JOB TO DO. I WAS THE NBC MONITOR MAN OF THE REPAIR PARTY, SO I HAD NO "REAL" PART IN THE ACTUAL FIGHTING. IT IS JUST A SHAME WE LOST SO MANY MEN.

I too was there. I was the Data Analyst for HS-4 and was working in my compartment when the first call for fire parties went out. And I was there when they called General Quarters. The others who shared my compartment were called to the flight deck, I was instructed to remain and man the compartment. After a time I too was ordered to the flight deck.

There we were, dead in the water, listing and smoking. Dark and eerie...a super carrier is not supposed to be dead in the water, listing and smoking.

When it was all contained and we were again underway I retired to my bunk and it was there that I heard the ship's chaplain naming those who had died. To this day my eyes still mist over thinking of that moment. And they always will.

Bless them and all who were there that night.

My brother was one who lost his life, only 19 years old, I was 12... God Bless you for trying to help but from what I've been able to dig up there was not much anyone could have done... God Bless You. I was just hoping to find any pictures of my brother or the cruise book from that year but have had no luck...

My brother Michael Deverich was killed in the fire, this is always the worst time of year for me.... I feel we never got answers or recognition from the government or those who were in charge at the time. Come to the conclusion we never will. My dad went to his grave at 80 years old in 2000 still writing the give rent, higher officials etc. but died with no answers... My mom is now 95 , we go see Mike every Sunday after church.. I still see the sadness, loss & pain in her eyes to this day... So sad... God Bless You...

My brother Michael Deverich was killed in the fire, this is always the worst time of year for me.... I feel we never got answers or recognition from the government or those who were in charge at the time. Come to the conclusion we never will. My dad went to his grave at 80 years old in 2000 still writing the give rent, higher officials etc. but died with no answers... My mom is now 95 , we go see Mike every Sunday after church.. I still see the sadness, loss & pain in her eyes to this day... So sad... God Bless You...