Bacon Joins Act to Add Four Nebraska Sailors to Vietnam War Memorial

Washington – Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-02) today announced he is joining Rep. Adam Schiff’s bill H.R. 3826, To provide for the inclusion on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall of the names of the lost crew members of the USS Frank E. Evans Killed on June 3, 1969, as a cosponsor.

The USS Frank E. Evans was a super-destroyer launched in 1944 and used in WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. During the Vietnam war the ship was assigned to a combined training event with the light aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). During a night operation the two ships collided causing half of the Evans to sink. In total, 74 American’s lost their lives that day and only one body was found. 

The names of the 74 were not included on the wall because the ship was outside of the defined combat zone.

“Of the 74 who lost their lives, four were from Nebraska and three of those were brothers,” said Rep. Bacon. “The Vietnam Wall provides solace to families of Veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War, and I am pleased to give my support to this legislation so the sacrifice of all 74 is recognized and remembered.”

Gary, Greg and Kelly Jo Sage were from the north-central Nebraska community of Niobrara. Garry Hodgson had a Beatrice, Nebraska address.

The bill has bipartisan and bicameral support and the full text is available here. Rep. Bacon’s name will show up as a cosponsor sometime next week.

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