I’ve been reading this memoir and thinking about how life can hit you out of nowhere—even when you think you’ve got it all figured out. “My Final Re-Spot: A Young Sailor’s Misfortune on the Flight Deck of the USS Forrestal CV-59” by John Pugioti and Wesley E Etheridge Sr. is a raw and honest account of a young sailor’s misfortune on the flight deck of the USS Forrestal CV-59. The book is packed with real-life moments, quirky military humor, and hard lessons learned on the job. It shows you that even in the chaos of Navy life, there’s a story worth telling about resilience, brotherhood, and finding the strength to keep going despite the setbacks.
“From my clearest military recollection, when I last observed John, he was lying severely (gravely, in my mind) injured on the flight deck in the Fly-2 area, outside the foul line, and screaming, “My legs! My legs! I can’t play basketball anymore!” hysterically and in shock just moments after completing his final re-spot. “
– an excerpt from the book
This memoir dives deep into the unexpected twists that can turn a routine day into a life-changing event. It takes you back to those early, wild days of military service when youthful bravado sometimes meets harsh reality. The story is told like a conversation with a friend, mixing candid admissions with a playful spirit—even when recounting painful moments.
One thing that really stands out is the way the book captures the shock of sudden misfortune. It makes you feel as if you’re right there on the flight deck, experiencing that moment of disbelief and pain alongside the sailor. It’s a reminder that life, especially in the military, is unpredictable and sometimes downright brutal.
Another major point is the lesson of personal accountability. The narrative doesn’t shy away from the consequences of poor decisions and youthful recklessness. It shows how even when you’re caught up in the moment, there’s always a price to pay, and sometimes those experiences shape you in ways you never expected.
What I found most engaging is how the memoir balances humor with gravity. The authors share stories of mischief and camaraderie that seem light at first but quickly reveal deeper truths about loyalty, the pressure of duty, and the cost of survival. It’s a mix of laughter and tears, and that balance makes the whole journey relatable.
The memoir also emphasizes the importance of resilience. Amid the chaos and even after facing disciplinary action, there’s a strong undercurrent of hope and determination. The story encourages readers to learn from every setback, no matter how painful, and to grow stronger because of it.
Finally, the book speaks to the power of reflection. It’s not just about what happened on that fateful day; it’s about how those events ripple through a lifetime. The lessons learned on the flight deck become a metaphor for life’s larger challenges—reminding us that sometimes our biggest setbacks can lead to our greatest comebacks.
My Final Re-Spot: A Young Sailor’s Misfortune on the Flight Deck of the USS Forrestal CV-59 by John Pugioti and Wesley E Etheridge Sr. is now available for purchase at the Kravitz and Sons Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.
My Final Re-Spot: A Young Sailor’s Misfortune on the Flight Deck of the USS Forrestal CV-59
Survivors of the January 15th 1978 mishap believe that what happened on that evening was one of the greatest cover up’s in US Naval Aviation history. But what really happened on that tragic evening when the FID was on Sea Trials off the coast of St. Augustine, Florida? History and eye witness accounts reveal that unbeknownst to the Ship’s Company and Carrier Air Wing Seventeen personnel that they would become participants of the second worst documented aviation mishap on the flight deck of the USS Forrestal CV-59. Our story is literally unknown. It’s a contrast in the directions of the…