On 3 June 1969, having just completed a long tour of shore bombardment off the coast of Vietnam, The USS Frank E. Evans was operating with a multinational South East Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) task force of approximately 40 ships in the South China Sea off the coast of Vietnam, led by the Task Force Leader, HMAS MELBOURNE, an Australian aircraft carrier, in a “Show of Force” demonstration to the North Vietnamese. At approximately 0315 that dark morning during a change of station maneuver, FRANK E. EVANS and MELBOURNE were involved in a catastrophic collision. HMAS MELBOURNE struck USS FRANK E. EVANS amidships cutting her in half. Within minutes the forward half rolled to starboard and sank, taking with her 74 brave souls. total of 37 sailors on the forward section managed to escape and survive.
Had it not been for the courageous action of MELBOURNE’s sailors, many more lives would have been lost. There exists perhaps even a greater tragedy than the collision itself. That is, what for the most part, a lack of acknowledgment on the part of the U. S. Navy and the Department of Defense for the sacrifice these men, their parents, and loved ones have made. Even though FRANK E. EVANS had just completed an extended tour of shore bombardment off the Vietnam coast, and even though she was part of a SEATO Task Force making a “show of force” demonstration to the North Vietnamese, her sailors’ names are not on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington D.C. Drawing an arbitrary line in the water should not be the deciding factor when determining the Lost 74 mad the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country in the Vietnam War.
For so many years, we ourselves, USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754)shipmates and crew, were remiss in our duties and obligations. Like so many, our time aboard ship became a memory of the distant past. Then in 1992,
- Promote camaraderie among shipmates, family and friends of shipmates who served aboard USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754), as well as others with similar interest.
- Promote a spirit of national patriotism.
- Help assure that the history of USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) is maintained.
- Conduct research, communicate, appropriately publicize, help commemorate the deceased and those lost at sea. through timely ceremonies, publicity and memorials.
Reunions provide the place to renew old acquaintances and to make friends with
new shipmates and family members. Reunions bring us together as one extended family. The “bond” is still there that existed when we were all much younger!
Reunions and memorial services are important, especially when there has been a tragedy that has taken lives. Reunions provide an invaluable ingredient to the healing process. There have been many incidents of tears and release of the pain and suffering because of the sharing and caring by shipmates.
