Please keep up your efforts to contact your Congressmember and urge support for HR3826 which would add the names of our Lost 74 Heroes to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. I’m happy to answer any questions you have on how to make this happen.
You can find their contact information here: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Save the dates – September 11-14, 2024! More information to come.
Spokane by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images
Please check out our new video regarding our efforts to add the names of the Lost 74 to the Wall:
The land of Lincoln awaits your presence at this year’s USS Frank E. Evans Association Reunion. Our reunion starts Wednesday, September 27 in Springfield, Illinois at the Northfield Inn and Suites, the address is 3280 Northfield Dr. Springfield, Illinois 62702. Keeping the price as low as possible, yet providing a good place for our lodging, food and entertainment remains a high priority.
Shipmates, Members, Relatives of the Lost and Friends, your package will be in the mail the first week of June, if you do not receive a package by mid June, please contact Donna Kraus at krausdfm@gmail.com.
For our Australian Friends “Down Under” you can make you room reservation here Click Here to Book for the USS Frank E Evans Reunion
To say that we were disappointed to learn that neither of our Amendments were included in the NDAA cannot explain our frustration. As you may recall, our team had been working with the Ridge Group to advocate to congress to add two amendments; one amendment which would have added the names of the Lost 74 crew members to the Vietnam War Memorial wall and a second amendment designed to instruct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an analysis of the issues related to adding the Lost 74 names. Neither of the Amendments were included in the final version of the NDAA.
While not knowing exactly what transpired in the halls of congress this past week, what we understand is that after navigating the Armed Services Committee, concerns and questions on the amendments arose from the Energy & Natural Resources and National Parks subcommittee. We know that significant restructuring took place in this committee according to articles in the news, we believe this is where our amendments were dropped.
Indeed, this is disappointing! However, there are silver linings. First, this effort was supported or not opposed by Armed Services, a hurdle we had not overcome in the past. So, getting our cause in front of the other committees represents some level of progress. Second, we have been apprised that the Leadership of the Senate intends to submit a letter directly to the GAO that instructs the analysis to be completed. This approach is within the rules and does not require an amendment to the NDAA. Third, we also found out through the Ridge Group that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is not against adding the names to the wall.
There is still work to be done. As we have said in the past “We will not give up the fight to get the 74 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.” We will re-group early in the new year, as we better understand the process for the congressional leaderships letter to the GAO and how to best engage with the new congress.
I Dennis R. York was born 24 July 1946, at Watertown, South Dakota. My hair was brown and my eyes are hazel. I enlisted in the navy at Sioux Falls, South Dakota 8 August 1963, and went to boot camp in San Diego, California. On 25 November 1963, I reported on board USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) to 1 Division. I was a Boatswain Mate Striker.
Dennis currently resides at 709 1 St. SW., Watertown, SD, 57201- st 4714. You can reach him at 605-880-0287.
I Ken Thrailkill “Killer” was born 2 June 1943, at Colorado Springs, Colorado. My hair was brown, my eyes are blue. I enlisted in the Navy at Colorado Springs in September 1960
I had an
“Killer” currently resides at 118 E. Laura Lane, Knoxville, Iowa. You can reach him at kthrailkill@co.marion.ia.us or 641-842-4592 (home) or 641-828-2244 (business) or 641-891-5922 (cell).
I “Steve,” was born on a farm east of Bremen, Ohio, 26 June 1941. My hair and eyes were brown. I entered the Navy 12 August 1958, at Lancaster, Ohio and went to San Diego for recruit training because Great Lakes was closed for renovation. I was in Company 492
I joined the Navy to be a pilot via the Silver Eagles program but as you can see I wasn’t even close. My first ship was USS DEHAVEN (DD 727). I made Westpac cruises on her as well as put her through FRAM at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco. After 3+ years in her, I reenlisted for BT “B” school in Philadelphia. After graduating in February 1962 I received orders for USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754). I was a happy puppy to be going back to the 2200 ton destroyers.
As BT2 JERRY L. STEPHENSON, I was aboard USS FRANK E. EVANS for about nine months in 1962. I was assigned to “B” Division. Prior to departing for Westpac, all of the ORI drills for the steam plant, as well as the rest of the ship, had been conducted. During a full power run, the fuel oil heaters in the forward fireroom blew a gasket resulting in a fuel spill and a stop bell. I was assigned After Fireroom. Of
FRANK E. EVANS departed for Westpac in June 1962. During the deployment, while tied up
I eventually went to Nuclear Power school, stayed as an Instructor and then spent over four years on board USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9), including Vietnam deployments. My last ship was USS SPIEGEL GROVE LSD-32 out of Little Creek, Virginia. I had numerous Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises to go along with the Westpac tours.
I retired as a BTC with 22 years service, with 12 years active and 10 years reserve. I then spent the rest of my working life as a Stationary Engineer and a Boiler Inspector.
Currently, Jerry L. Stephenson, BTC USN Retired resides at 2340 Pumpkinvine Road SE, Lancaster, Ohio 43130-8010. You can reach him at JerryDD727@aol.com or by phone at Home 740-569-1053, or his Cell 740-503-2073.
Memories of USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) returned to me as my wife and sons toured USS LAFFEY (DD 724) at Patriots Point in Charleston about seven years ago. This was my first time on a destroyer since that night of June
After one final walk through the ship, I slowly started back toward the prow that led to the pier where reality starts again. I had to stop and look back one more time, for I was sure I heard a voice from the past call out, “Get a haircut
As we walked the decks of this old destroyer, memories had started flowing from somewhere in the back of my mind where I had buried them so long ago. This day is not a day for selfish thoughts so I turned my remembrances to the crew, ports, and pleasant things and this is what I wrote. I remember USS FRANK E. EVANS in Long Beach shipyard so far out on the mole that we had to take the old raggedy Navy bus out to her.
I remember EVANS in the shipyard covered with the orange and yellow primer and soon
I remember my first rack, top bunk under the 1MC loud speaker. When reveille was sounded the next morning, I jumped up and hit my head on one of the overhead pipes.
Then there were the short cold showers, the distinct stench of the scullery, and standing fire watches for the civilian welders as they transformed our old tin can into a superior fighting ship.
I remember how amazed I was to see EVANS in dry dock with no water to float her. Then the first time we went out past the breakwater, which would determine if I was going to be
I remember the calm beauty of the sea, but I couldn’t comprehend how angry and deadly it could get. I feared the lightning storms and the concern of the restless waves that washed up on the bridge and drenched all of us on watch.
I remember our cruise to Hawaii and taking bearings of Diamond Head for the XO. One of the greatest
and most humbling experiences was the manning the rails in dress whites with an appreciated and
reverend salute to USS ARIZONA and all who perished that December day.
The Post Office where I handed out the mail, the only links we had to love ones back home and how frustrated and angry I was when I learn that our mail had been
I remember the glorious
I remember the big five-inch guns blasting away at the coastline of Vietnam and then at night firing illuminating shells so the Marines could see to continue their battle. That’s when I moved to a lower bunk because my top rack was filled with paint chips and asbestos dust.
I remember buying the Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club patch to go on my work jacket with the other patches as a map of memories to all the places I had been.
Then there was an oyster I purchased in Japan that was guaranteed to have a pearl growing in it; a material reminder from King Solomon that God has treasures hidden all over his beautiful earth. I sent it back home to my
I remember how lonely Christmas was as we sat gazing at the decorated tree with festive holiday music tenderly playing in the background. Even though the adorned mess decks were crowded, it was unusually quiet throughout. No one was talking, and we all wondered if our family would think of us during this special season. I overheard Melvin softly whisper, “Happy Birthday Jesus!” God, we were so young and innocent.
I remembered how awful it was the first time we ran out of milk and eggs and went to powered, but then I remember how good ice cream was and how enjoyable the weekly “Star Trek” and “Mission Impossible” TV series could be.
Learning new card games from friends on the mess decks. I didn’t realize then, but we were becoming more than just friends; we were an elite Destroyer Family.
Finally, I remembered my last evening aboard EVANS, a new movie on the mess decks, then laughing, talking and playing cards in a
Life on a small ship like our destroyer goes deep in your blood, and of all the men aboard, I hate that I can remember so few, especially on this Memorial Day when as the postal clerk, I should be able to remember everyone onboard USS FRANK E. EVANS. I don’t want to spoil it by forgetting any crew member especially one of the 74, for this is their day.
On the 3rd day of every June, I’ll be up early to pay my respects. I’ll be up late remembering. SALUTE!
After completing RM “A” school in November 1964, I
We were running a port & starboard watch. I had showered, shaved, and was ready to head for the chow line. I chose to go
Needless to say, I next heard, “General Quarters,” (twice) “All hands man your battle station… This is not a drill…
The year 1966; location Taiwan Straits; area between mainland China and the island of Taiwan. We’d been on the Taiwan patrol for almost two weeks. The captain is “upset” to put it
Mid-watch 24 September 1966, I’m called to the teletype to witness an amazing happening. “Look at this Rodman,” it’s a message from the Red Cross informing me of the birth of our first baby, a healthy girl. Every number and letter is in its proper location, a perfect receipt of “Traffic.”
Well! Damn! The “old man” wants to see immediately all messages that are decipherable. I call the bridge, reluctantly, to let Capt. Hanson know I’m coming up with “A” just received
I put the message on the routing board and I’m off to the bridge. It’s a beautiful night, calm sea, clear, lots of stars. He’s waiting for me and says, “Let’s see what you’ve got there Rodman.” I hand him the board, he reads the message, smiles and says, “You know what this is Rodman?! This is divine intervention. Congratulations!”
Tom and his wife Sandy celebrated 42 years of marriage and currently reside at 10849 Prescott Road in Licking, Missouri 65542. That’s in the Ozarks where Tom built a log home from trees cut on the property using the Scandinavian scribe method. You can reach him at tjsjrodman@yahoo.com or 573-674-4449.
