74 Names Added to Vietnam Wall: USS Frank E. Evans Crew Finally Recognized After 55 Years

If you’re like most people, you probably haven’t spent much time thinking about the technical rules governing national monuments. But those rules can sometimes lead to decades of heartbreak for military families. The USS Frank E. Evans Act is a short, direct piece of legislation aimed at fixing a long-standing historical omission.

This bill mandates that the names of the 74 crew members who died when the destroyer USS Frank E. Evans sank on June 3, 1969, must be added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. The Secretary of Defense has a clear deadline: one year from the date the Act becomes law to get this done. This isn't just a symbolic gesture; it’s a specific, required action to formally recognize these lost sailors on the nation’s most prominent Vietnam memorial.

The Historical Footnote That Matters

For decades, the names of the Evans crew have been excluded from the Wall because of a technicality. The ship sank in the South China Sea, outside the official designated 'combat zone' used by the Department of Defense to determine eligibility for the memorial. These sailors were supporting the war effort, on patrol, and lost their lives in the line of duty, yet their names were left off the memorial.

This bill cuts through that bureaucratic red tape. It explicitly requires the addition of the 74 names, overriding the previous definition of the combat zone for this specific tragedy. For the families of those sailors—many of whom are now in their 70s and 80s—this means their loved ones will finally be memorialized alongside their peers who served and died in the same conflict.

Clearing the Path for Commemoration

One interesting detail in this bill is how it handles the logistics. Adding 74 names to an already existing, highly regulated national monument isn't easy. The Act requires the Secretary of Defense to consult with the Secretary of the Interior and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to manage any “space issues” on the Wall. This is the practical, real-world step needed to ensure the names can actually be inscribed.

Crucially, the bill includes an “Exception to Commemorative Works Act.” This means the standard, lengthy, and often complicated review process required by Chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code, for adding or changing national monuments is completely waived for this addition. Think of it as using the express lane to get this specific, necessary historical correction done quickly and without getting bogged down in years of regulatory review. This waiver is key to meeting that one-year deadline.

What This Means for Everyday People

While this bill doesn't affect your taxes or your commute, it’s a powerful example of how legislation can correct historical wrongs and bring closure to families. It’s a clear, low-vagueness mandate that forces the federal government to act decisively. The only potential snag is the one-year deadline; if the Secretary of Defense doesn't meet it, the bill doesn't specify a penalty. However, given the clarity and focus of the Act, the expectation is that this long-overdue recognition will finally be achieved, validating the sacrifice of the USS Frank E. Evans crew.