The 74

A Short Documentary made in memory of the 74 US Sailors who died in a collision at sea, involving the USS Frank E. Evans and the HMAS Melbourne. The maritime accident happened on June 3rd 1969 off the coast of wartime Vietnam. The 74 dead were never recognized by the US government as dieing in "the warzone", and subsequently were never added to the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington DC.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• The 74
• USS Frank E. Evans
• HMAS Melbourne
• Vietnam Wall
• war memeorial
• destroyer
• aircraft carrier
• navy

[rbporsche914]

JagerGSD's assertion that because the 74 were not directly engaged in combat and therefore not eligible for inclusion on the Wall could be considered correct. EXCEPT for the fact that the war zone and the definition of combat operations is VERY fuzzy. If you look on a map the line determining the combat zone is arbitrary. In Junly 1967 the USS Forrestal accidently caught fire in the Gulf of Tonkin. The names of the 134 dead are on the wall. The names of the 74 belong there too!

[plki76]

While you are certainly entitled to your opinion, I'm surprised, confused, and disappointed by your thoughts here.

They were most clearly involved in the war, not sure why you would say otherwise. Additionally, they were clearly still on active deployment when the accident happened.

Asking to be included in a memorial whose purpose is to honor and respect the fallen is in no way akin to pretending to be special forces. Suggesting so is a disservice to these men and their sacrifice.

[triggerpointrelief]

Thank you for making this video. My brother was on that ship, and for about two days we didn't know if he was dead or alive. We finally got the word he was alive, and it was only through a twist of fate -- one of his shipmates had asked him to change watch with him, and that man died. Seeing the video allowed me to see what my brother went through in those hours. I am appalled that the men who died are not listed on the Vietnam War Memorial, and were not so lucky as us. They WERE at war!

[elaineuhlman]

My husband was on the USS Larson the night that the USS Evans was cut in half. I am appalled at our VA and Government for not putting these men's name on the Vietnam Memorial Wall. It is outrageous. Again it shows the action of our government and the lack of respect they had for the men that were REQUIRED via DRAFT to serve in a war that destroyed lives then and still now.

[OctoberGypsy]

My Uncle David Inman was aboard the Frank E Evans when this happened. I wanted to share this with all of my FB Friends.

[Robkat3751]

So not one of those draft dodging politicians would even vote on the bill. Why am I not surprised.

[realbogus]

Well done, Tom. Very well done!

I posted this on my site. More people need to see this.

May they get on the wall.

[TL23455]

Actually the USS Evans was operating as part of the Seventh fleet. Their names should be on the wall. I am a veteran of 20 plus years and served in country Vietnam.