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USS Frank E. Evans: Disaster in the South China SeaVietnam | 20 comments | Print This Post | Email This Post
The helicopters flew all day on June 3, 1969, landing for hot refueling and then returning to the search area. Petty Officer Baker spent the long hours sending hundreds of messages. He described that morning as something like a dream sequence. Baker reckoned the last of the 198 sailors saved from the South China Sea was Chief Petty Officer Larry Malilay. ‘Larry thought he was gone,’ Baker said. ‘He just drifted off, and for a while he could see and hear the choppers, but he was drifting away, and when he was finally rescued the pilot said, ‘Hang on, I think I can see someone swimming for the Philippines,’ and they winched him aboard.’ On board Melbourne the strangest scene was being played out. Captain Stevenson ordered the band onto the deck, and the beer vault was opened for the American survivors. Australian sailors recall their mates giving away the clothes from their backs. One sailor went below and brought up his entire kit, while the clothing store was opened and blankets were passed out. Eventually the survivors were lifted off and taken to USS Kearsarge. At that point, Baker heard a sound he’ll never forget: ‘As they were about to leave our ship, they stood on the quarterdeck and gave us three cheers. We had just cut their ship in half and here they were giving us three cheers.’ The end of USS Frank E. Evans was the beginning of an enduring bond between the two crews. Those who served aboard Melbourne have certainly suffered, but the survivors of the battered crew of Evans had it worse. ‘I think a lot of the crew suffered trauma,’ said Stevenson. ‘More so in the Evans than the Melbourne….A lot of them have lost wives and families, can’t work and are still having a bad time of it.’ Serving in her third conflict, the aging destroyer was on the gun line off the coast of Vietnam when she was moved out of the combat zone for Operation Sea Spirit. Like the two crews who’d served aboard Evans before them, the U.S. sailors had seen combat service. Yet the names of those who died in the collision have never been added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. ‘It’s a cause of great hurt to the American survivors,’ said Stevenson. ‘Their shipmates were lost, but their names are not on the Wall, and they’re working hard to get that done, but they’re not making much progress.’ A few members of the Melbourne Association made a point of seeking out members of the Evans Association and getting together. In Ipswich, Australia, Ron Baker struck upon the idea of a reunion to mark the 25th anniversary. ‘When I broached the subject of a reunion 24 years after it happened, a lot of people said, ‘Forget it, let it rest,’ and I wondered if perhaps I was opening old wounds,’ Baker said. Like Stevenson, Baker was well aware of how much former crewmen had suffered. Some had been in mental institutions, while others had become alcoholics. Nonetheless, a reunion was organized, and word came from the United States that members of the Evans Association would attend. Shortly after that, Baker received a phone call from a woman in Alice Springs, Australia. ‘She said her husband was on the Melbourne when it happened,’ he recalled. ‘It was his first voyage, he was 18, and this was his introduction to the navy, and he’d been carrying the ghost of this thing for all those years. She put him on a plane and flew him over, and I reckon he went away a different man.’ The following year, Australians attended a memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery, and a commitment was made that representatives of the two crews would meet each year. Although cleared of any blame, Captain Stevenson, the former skipper of Australia’s last aircraft carrier, had his own burden to bear. ‘At that point I had a wife and two kids and a mortgage and all the rest of that stuff,’ he recalled. ‘I went out and lost everything. I had no future, no career, no pension, no nothing. It was a very big bang.’ Stevenson believes the bond that has grown is easing the trauma. In 1999 he was in Sydney, along with many others from the United States, for a 30th anniversary memorial service. The retired captain said, ‘It was such a pleasure to see the Melbourne team again, and I have an expectation that they’ll bring great warmth and humanity to the survivors of the Evans, and that together, they can ease their own pain.’ While the battle to get recognition for the American sailors lost in the 1969 accident continues in the States, those fallen seamen have been honored in Australia. According to Ron Baker, ‘They were killed doing their duty for their country, and it doesn’t matter if you’re killed by an enemy bullet or a friendly ship.’ This article was written by Phil Smith and originally published in the August 2001 issue of Vietnam Magazine. For more great articles be sure to subscribe to Vietnam Magazine today! Subscribe Today
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20 Comments to “USS Frank E. Evans: Disaster in the South China Sea”
My brother-in-law, Dwight Scott Pattee 1968 graduate of Annapolis…23 years old) was killed on the Frank E. Evans….We have missed him terrible for nearly 40 years….such a great loss…. the men that were killed. Jane H. Pattee
By Jane H. Pattee on Jul 11, 2008 at 1:04 am
73 men went down that early morning. We have been looking for relatives of LTJG Pattee. Please contact me. Go to our site at http://www.ussfee.org
The Historian
By Frank Jablonski on Jul 28, 2008 at 6:28 pm
MY BROTHER BYRON R PRUDEN SM1 WAS A CREW MEMBER ABOARD THE EVANS. HE PASSED AWAY IN 1983. HE WAS CREMATED AND BURIED AT SEA. I HAVE A FEW MEMENTOS I WOULD SHARE IF SOME ONE WHO IS ON THE COMMITEE FOR THE EVANS WOULD CONTACT AND IDENIFLY HISSELF PROPERLY. MY PHONE NUMBER IS AS FOLLOWS 1-661-821-8969.. BY THE WAY I WAS IN THE NAVY. EM3RD USS NAVARRO APA215..MY FATHER IS A RETIREDED NAVY COMMANDER JOHN BYRON PRUDEN 1935 THRE 1958. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER…..
By JOHN HAROLD PRUDEN on Aug 29, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I am looking for all list of the ships that were in Operation Sea Spirit in June of 1969. Espec ially those that were in company with the HMAS Melbourne. It is very important that I can not only find the names, but the records that would confim those ships. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
By Patrick Stevenson on Sep 14, 2008 at 12:02 am
To Patrick Stevenson,(Comments above), I was serving on HMNZS Blackpool, (in company with FEE & Melbourne) on the night of 2/3 June 1969. I actually saw the incident unfold and my Bridge Communications Log was taken to the official enquiry after. Unfortunately, I do not recall the names of the other ships in our Task Force.
Regards
Stanley G Foster
ASG B18677
RNZN (Rt’rd)
By Stanley G Foster on Oct 4, 2008 at 12:50 am
In 1969 I was stationed on board the USS PICKING out of Long Beach, California. I was going to reenlist but needed to find someone that was willing to swap duty stations and on a ship going to Vietnam so I could take advantage of the reenlistment bonus. I remember finding a sailor that matched up with my credentials on board the FRANK E. EVANS. I had to go and meet with him and his Communications Officer to confirm we both met the criteria for this swap. Based on my interview with his communications officer and some unknown intervention I choose not to go ahead with this. I was on duty in the early hours of this tragedy and received the flash message coming across the teletype machine. Needless to say I was emotionally distraught both for my good fortune and their bad fortune. I don’t remember the sailors name that I would have replaced nor do I remember if he survived. If anyone has the list of names I would like to know. Its been over 39 years and the tragedy is still fresh in my mind. I also have more details about this event that some people may not know. If anyone would like to communicate with me I can be reached at PGINTENN@AIM.CO
By GARY JOHNSON on Oct 5, 2008 at 9:37 am
Can someone please help me. After the Frank E Evans was sunk, I spent some 8 hrs in our ships boat (HMNZS Blackpool), and we picked up 1 survivor. I cannot remember what ship he was from, (originally thought he was from the FEE), but do not know for sure.
Can anyone please shed some light on this for me.
Regards
Stanley G Foster
By Stanley G Foster on Oct 6, 2008 at 8:06 pm
To Patrick Stevenson:
Ships in company with HMAS Melbourne on night of 2 – 3 June
1969.
HMAS Melbourne; HMNZS Blackpool; HMS Cleopatra;
USS Frank E Evans; USS Everett F Larson; USS James E Keyes.
I trust this is of some help to you.
Regards
Stanley G Foster
By Stanley G Foster on Oct 23, 2008 at 8:22 pm
May God always remember our shipmates. I worked plane guard during vietnam and was inport in the Philipines when this tragedy happened. I will never forget the sight of my shipmates ship, or should i say half a ship being towed to port as we left. Fair wind, and following sees to my shipmates.
By jesse mccracken on Feb 14, 2009 at 1:00 am
I am still disapointed that the names of the departed sailors, did not get on the memorial wall in DC. The Sage brothers, that
did not survive the colision, were the sons of my first cousin. Mrs. Ernest Sage. I was at the dedication of the Memorial in Niobrara, Neb. and met a lot of the survivors, and I want to thank all of them for the kindness that they showed to Eunice Sage. I am still hopefull that the lost members of ;the Evans will someday be put on the WALL. I know that Sen. Hagle of Neb. has tried, but with no results. If anyone has any info on what might be done to get the names on, I will try to contact my state’s legislators to try to get the job done.
JIMMIE JOHNSON tinsmith@q.com
By JIMMIE O. J;OHNSON on Feb 16, 2009 at 8:05 pm
My sister’s boyfriend was killed on the Frank E Evans….Jim Kerr. He will always be in our hearts and memories!
By Jennifer Chadney on Mar 12, 2009 at 11:42 pm
My brother was/is Jim Kerr. 40 years has not lessened the void. He was just a big kid and yes,LaurelChadney was the love of his life.Nice to connect with you Jennifer! Drop me a note. I will attend the FEE memorial on 6/3 in LB. Lest we forget.
By Fred Kerr on May 24, 2009 at 11:25 pm
I was on the Evans 1960 to 1963. Took her thru FRAMII shipyard. The gray ghost came out very beautiful. We proudly sailed her to Westpac cruise in 62. For an old tin can, there was a lot of love for her. I was ASW Officer and shipyard gave her a refit sonar that could actually pickup subs. She was a great ship and the collison hit me and a few of the other officers of that day very hard. What’s more, Admiral King’s hearing proceedings were a disgrace. The two people who coud have shed light on the whole mess were excused because they might have future legal problems. Is their careers more important that the lives that the evans lost?
That the OOD was writing his log when the orders came t go to lifeguard station. And the JOD was also excused even tho he was the person with the “con” and had not passed his lifeguard qualifications two weeks prior.. The stationing from the screen station to lifeguard is very easy…but ony when you know what the carrier is doing.
Oh man, excuse the rant. It helps naught.
John Lucas, LTJG Gun Officer Uss Frank E. Evans DD754 (very retired.)
By John Lucas on May 26, 2009 at 12:24 am
My Brother was Kenneth W. Glines . He was a Great Brother and Person to all. I was only 9 yrs old when he died .It was a Great lost to Our Family . And He and all the other Men died for us and Our Freedom & Country. All their names should be on The Wall in D.C. I wish that my Parents could have been here for the memorial at Mt. Washington Cemetery ,in Kansas City , Mo . They were so Proud of Kenny and all those men that Lost their lives . It’s hard to believe that it’s been 40 Years . It’s seem forever !!!
By Jackie (Glines) Holland on May 26, 2009 at 11:28 pm
My Father is Florentino F. Macayan, BTCS USN and the Chief of the watch on the Evans the night of the accident. He carried the scars of that night (physical and mental) all the way to his passing in Feb. 2000. Our family didn’t know anything about the Evan’s accident until right before his passing. All we knew was that our Mom and Dad went to Navy reunions for one of the ships our Dad served on called the Evans. Our Mom shared the story of the accident, as told to her by our Father, of the events the morning of June 3, 1969 and subsequent events after the accident. She told us that He carried guilt and remorse for the 73 lives lost and that’s why he never talked about it with us. He viewed the scars on his body from the accident as badges of shame that he saw every day for the rest of his life for not being able to do more to help the 73.
Unfortunately our Dad was unable to communicate directly to use the events of that day due to his deteriorating health so we will never exactly how he felt. Since his passing I have researched the accident, spoke with previous Service Men who served on the Evans including survivors and Melbourne and have attended 2 Evans Reunions. The guilt and remorse that my Father felt seems to be a common theme among the survivors. It really is a shame that the US Government and Navy will not recognize the 73 lives lost on the Evans by adding their names to the Vietnam War memorial. One day I hope the Government will recongize the sacrafice they gave and give them recognition they rightly deserve.
By Mark Macayan on May 29, 2009 at 1:51 pm
My cousins, Gary, Gregory and Kelly Sage were killed in the Evans collision. I first found the Navy’s website on the Evans’ disaster about 10 years ago. I was 16 years old when this happened in 1969 and it was such a tragedy for our family. I am so thankful to have been able to meet many of the survivors of the crash when we had a memorial celebration for my cousins in Niobrara Nebraska in 1999. My aunt, Eunice Sage, is still alive and well as is their brother Douglas and, of course, many many relatives. I also am grateful to Pete Peters for all he did to bring us all together in 1999. We miss them all dearly and will never forget them, nor will we forget this horrible tragedy. My heart and best wishes go out to all of the survivors and their families. I recently lost my 26 year old son, Kelly (yes, named after Kelly) in an accident and I have an idea of what my aunt and uncle went through when their three sons were killed. It is such a horrible ordeal.
Best wishes to you all!
By Gayle Pierce on May 29, 2009 at 9:43 pm
My father was on the Frank E. Evans in 1969. He took leave the week of the wreck. His name was Frank G. Young PO 1st Class. He was a cook and other odd jobs. I learned, as a Rn at a local hosptial, that the service man that filled my father’s position that week survived but was later killed on land when he was mobbed. And today I ran into another serviceman today that served under the commander of the Evans. My father passed away a few weeks ago, and it is nice to run into him memory for while it lasts.
By Cindy Trese on Jul 16, 2009 at 4:11 pm
To Jackie Glines Holland: Hi Jackie, I was the skipper of the HMAS Melbournes first rescue boat in the water after the collision in 1969 and we recovered the body of your brother Ken, and 29 survivors.
It was such a bad time for all of us, and I really felt for the families of those guys who didn’t make it. i agree with you about their names missing from the Vietnam Memorial wall, it is such a bloody shame and really an insult to their memory.
I will remember Kens name until the day I die!
I wish you good luck. Peter Varley
By Peter Varley on Aug 4, 2009 at 2:49 am
To any of the guys from USS Frank E Evans who were picked up by the Melbournes rescue boat: I was the skipper of the first rescue boat in the water, and we were pretty overloaded when we went back to the Melbourne, to offload survivors and Ken Glines body.
If you would like to make contact with me I would be happy to respond. I live in Perth Western Australia.
Peter Varley
varley1@ozemail.com.au
By Peter Varley on Aug 4, 2009 at 3:01 am
I served abourd Uss.Walke DD723 . Evans was sister ship.I wittnest 1/2 of Evans after strike.
By Pete Townsend on Nov 8, 2009 at 3:42 am