31 Aug 2003 Stephen was my best friend on the USS Forrestal and died during the tragic fire of July 29th, 1967 along with 133 other shipmates. Stephen left his area of safety and went aft to help fight the fires when he was overcome by chlorine gas and died. He is buried in his hometown in Oregon where he grew up. Stephen left a wife and infant son. I recently found out that the Navy named their fire fighting school in San Diego after Stephen. A friend and true hero who gave his life to save his shipmates ... May we meet again in God's eternity ... 20 Aug 2007 It has been 40 years since the terrible fire on the USS FORRESTAL off the coast of Vietnam in which 134 of the ship's crew were lost. My best friend on the ship was Stephen L. Hock who lost his life that day and helped save mine. He is at rest in Grant's Pass, Oregon where he grew up. His son, who was only 1 year old at the time, told me his Father is buried on a hill, and that you can see the Pacific Ocean from his grave. Just wanted to let you know that you are not forgotten even though so many years have gone by. Hope to see you in God's Eternity. Forever friends, Ronald Berry rberry8247@aol.com

 

Notes from The Virtual Wall On 29 July 1967 the USS FORRESTAL was conducting combat operations off the coast of North Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin. The ship was preparing to launch an ALPHA strike when a major fire broke out among the crowded aircraft on her deck, resulting in a series of 500 and 1000 pound bomb explosions. Thirteen hours later, the fires were extinguished - and 135 men were dead or dying, with hundreds more injured. DS2 Stephen Hock was one of the 135. Visit The Virtual Wall's USS FORRESTAL Memorial Page

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