Vietnam Vet Haunted By Mass Casualty Disaster | Full Interview

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.”

Chapters:
0:00 - Thought I Was Crazy
2:47 - Surveillance & Rescue Operations
3:57 - Mass Casualty Disaster
11:08 - Rough Welcome Home
12:52 - Reflections

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[jeffbones]

Flew back into the states from Iraq and was welcomed home by a line of Vietnam Vets coming off the plane. They served us breakfast and went above and beyond to give us what they didn’t receive coming back home. Almost 15 years later and it still makes me emotional to think about.

[markberryhill]

Snake fascinating account of his days in Vietnam. It used to bother me when someone asked a Vietnam vet how they were treated when they got back, because everyone already knows the answer, but now I see it's usefulness in educating those that don't know about how shameful it really was.

[miduv]

My dad who served in Vietnam with the 2nd Battalion 5th Marines 1st Marine division did two tours around 67 and 68 never really talked about the war until his later years. He just recently passed from Parkinson's this past November probably from the agent orange crap but he never once complained about it. He was one hell of a good dad and taught me how to shoot as he qualified expert with the M14. God bless you and all the vets who serve with hidden wounds.

[Neverest-hc]

" 2 most important days of your life, The day you were born and the day you figure out why " thats a hardcore quote from someone you should listen to.

[pastorjonrhinehart]

You are all heroes! Thanks for your service!!

[mikeb]

Mike, Thank You for your service. As I was a 5-year old kid the year you enlisted, I COULD NOT understand how you and your brothers were treated upon your return. I still can't understand. It seems "Thank You" just isn't enough.

[goldmedals]

From one former cop to another I'm glad you were there at those times of horrific loss. I'm sure you did so much for survivors that it would surprise you and maybe overwhelm you sir.

Bravo Zulu

[Tony-sjon]

I was with the 9th infantry division in 1968 and my first heavy combat fight didn't really scare me until the Vietcong started coming up out of their hidden tunnels underneath us and made things terrifying and it was late in the evening and then all of a sudden they disappeared. I can still hear combat some nights before bed.

[glennlarson]

Very well spoken. Thanks for who you are.

[usmc-veteran-]

Yes, Welcome Home Brothers and Sisters

[philbrown]

First, from one Nam Vet to another…Welcome Home Brother. Unlike most Nam Vets coming home, I wasn’t harassed in the 2 airports I went through and I was in my uniform. I was lucky I guess. As for any acknowledgment of my time in Nam, in ‘91 a doctor who was a Corpsman in Nam and a comic at a night club in ‘93, both thanked me for going over. I can’t remember when I actually heard, “Welcome Home” but it was YEARS after I came home.

[ejsocci]

Welcome home, thank you so much for your service.👊🏻🇺🇸

[severianthefool]

My uncle passed away this week. He was a Nam vet, a Purple Heart recipient. And he was a great man. His name was Charles Flynn. I never said it to him, but I was, and am, proud of him, and very thankful for having him in my life. Thank you to Uncle Chuck and to all our veterans out there.

[barrymuskus]

Thank you for your service from a brother Vietnam Vet

[SirCarlosMusicBMI]

❤❤❤❤ Tons of love and respect to all the Veterans out there. Blessings, Carlos ✝️🙏❤️😊🇺🇸

[tonyhill]

I was a dependent of a Vietnam veteran. I remember when you guys started the welcome home movement. I applaud you, as my father did not receive a welcome home at all. It was just back to business as usual. But I wasn't stupid, I knew my father had risked his life for me and my country. So thanks to you who began welcoming veterans home.

[gilwhitmore]

This is the first I have heard of this tragedy. Seems like death is always just around the corner looking for a place to strike. Thank you for your service, and for what you continue to do.

[richlohr]

Thank you for sharing your Vietnam Experience. I salute you sir! I'm 74 now, I came in the Air Force in 1972. Then Honorably discharged in '79. Time flies. I pray you are @ peace.

[EdZiomek]

Mike, God Bless You, and your fellow sailors, those that came home and those that paid the ultimate sacrifice. Need more of this.

[garywheeler]

Thank you for your service in the military and law enforcement. Respect to both 🇨🇦🍻