74 Sailors Killed in Forgotten Vietnam War Disaster

After being rejected by the Marine Corps due to an existing college football injury, Mike Jones enlisted in the United States Navy in 1967. Jones secured an aviation billet and was soon flying missions over Vietnam as a back-seater on an S-2E Tracker with VS-21.

On June 3, 1969, after returning from a routine mission, VS-21 was placed on alert and Jones witnessed the aftermath of a collision between two allied ships. The USS Frank E. Evans Association describes the event as follows:

“In the early morning hours of 3 June 1969, off the coast of Vietnam, USS Frank E Evans (DD 754) was steaming, in darkened condition, engaged in ‘Operation Sea Spirit’ with more than 40 ships of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) nations.

“In the act of taking a new station 1,000 yards astern of the Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne (R21), the two ships were soon on a collision course. The Melbourne struck the Evans amidship cutting her in half. The forward section of Evans sank in 3 minutes. The stern section remained afloat. 74 Evans sailors were killed. Only 1 body was recovered. 73 Evans sailors were lost at sea, including 3 brothers from Niobrara, Nebraska: Gary 22, Greg 21 and Kelly Jo Sage 19.

“The 199 survivors boarded Melbourne and were soon transferred to the American aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge (CVS 33) and transported to Subic Bay, Philippines. A salvage party from the USS Everett F. Larson (DD 830) controlled flooding in the stern section before Evans was taken in tow to Subic Bay by fleet tug USS Tawasa (AFT 92).

“The aft section of Evans arrived in Subic Bay 9 June 1969 where she was put into floating dry dock USS Windsor (ARD 22) and stripped of valuable equipment. Evans was decommissioned 1 July 1969 and was struck from the Navy list the same day. On 10 October 1969 the stern section of Evans was towed out to sea and sunk in fleet target practice by USS John R. Craig (DD 885).

“The ‘Lost 74’ came from 28 states. Years ago, because their names are not included on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, DC the USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) Association decided to place a memorial stone, in their honor, in each of their home states. The shipmates, families and friends of the ‘Lost 74’ continue to fight for the recognition they deserve.”

[donniepippin]

My great uncle lost his life in that collision. Its nice knowing other people are still thinking of those men.

[unclepetescomedy]

Those combat warriors that died 50+ years later from agent orange should be on "The Wall".

[sheilaminer]

I agree.
Has anyone started a letter writing campaign? The power of the pen is awesome if used right. Get everyone to send at least 2 letters a month. It’s worth the effort

[danielponiatowski]

i remember that, i was fairly young. my cousin was in the aussie navy around then and served on the melbourne for awhile but never asked if he saw that.

[kevinmiller]

Couldn’t agree more!👍😉. Our cousin is on the wall.

[jamescarlson]

I was in Vietnam 1969-70 and I resent this too. Our country then and now is still pretty much against Vietnam. I am writing this in 2024. However I do know that since the Wall was constructed I understand that subsequently after its construction that those committing suicide were to entered.

[Zman]

Dude what…
Is there a memorial for all the troops lost outside of combat?
I think of all the marines who died in their aquatic “mraps”, those half aquatic, APCs. Or what about those who died just recently in California in an Osprey?
Even if you’re not killed in battle, you served the country. That deserves a memorial.

Mistakes happen. And those who passed due to mistakes still deserve the respect. They took a call, and that call was to defend. Simply said.

[monicavanopdurp]

I totally AGREE!! What is the reason for those 74 sailors are not on the wall? There's no Justifiable reason.

[DarrenBoughen-gg]

God bless all vets that have lost their lives

[tnwhiskey]

On the way to and from combat should be included. Is it that tough to have them added?

[JustJimmy]

And the ways our boys were and are treated keeps coming out.

[jamescarlson]

I entered another comment above . In reading other comments there is one who "consider not to list Navy" not to be official veterans. I am not sure about that (and have been in groups for 15 plus years prior to cofid when they stopped) but in those groups I do not recall anyone of the navy people stating this. And another delineation -- there is another group of veterans that are listed as Non-Vietnam ERA "veterans" and that has been the case for many years. However I do agree with the man per this video that those on the ship Evans that I would hope the wall could also be modified to list those killed on this instance BE ADDED to the names/dates of the Vietnam Wall. And to further continue I would encourage him to contact the Vietnam Veterans of America as the organization is continuing to remain in existence and speak with them about it.

[earlhester]

Im a army Vietnam veteran Im torn on this. I do not consider us navy sailors as Vietnam veterans if they were on ships out in the ocean. If they were navy c.b's or serving on river patrol boats or flying combat missions over Vietnam I consider them Vietnam veterans. But on board ships many miles off shore I dont consider these people combat veterans. Definitely not like army or marine veterans. I feel the same for the air force.

[nikkizwijacz]

I believe it😡ln my opinion only i think the government didn’t want to be embarrassed

[CharleneMartin-ms]

So sad, these young men gave their lives and nothing.🙏🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸

[bruce]

Saddly, there is such a thing as a fog of war, and this can't be refuted. They weren't forgotten, folks. Their names each and every single one are on The Wall at THE Vietnam War Memorial...
But reality is this, we can't remember and mark every battle or skirmish ever had in every war we've ever been in.
We need to individually remember the war and tell the stories that were told us by OUR LOVED ONE'S who served and fought in any every war that this country has been engaged in.
Please remember your family's warriors who have sacrificed so much for everyone in this nation (love it or not - we are the land of the free).
Semper Fi... Semper Fi, mine is not to ask why but to do or die Semper Fi, America...

[John-wmd]

Was it common for large ships in a huge ocean, be so close to one another?

[peterkuppen]

The Melbourne had the same thing happen in 1964 with HMAS Voyager in Australian waters, Voyager sunk with 84 lives lost … only Australian warship to sink 2 other warships !

[trueXMotionFitness]

I don't understand. Why are they not on the wall??!!

[tonytaylor]

Put their names they were there but for their role in combat.