On July 29, 1967, McCain was a lieutenant commander when he was near the center of the USS "Forrestal" fire. He escaped from his burning jet and was trying to help another pilot escape when a bomb exploded; McCain was struck in the legs and chest by fragments. The ensuing fire killed 134 sailors and took 24 hours to control. With the "Forrestal" out of commission, McCain volunteered for assignment with the , another aircraft carrier employed in Operation Rolling Thunder. There, he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star Medal for missions flown over North Vietnam.