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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | October 3, 2023 03:34 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Jared G. Solomon and Rep. Mark M. Gillen |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Remembering and Honoring the Lives of the Lost 74 |
| During the Vietnam War, service members aboard the USS Frank E. Evans Destroyer were partaking in a joint training exercise with the Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne. On June 3, 1969, the two ships collided in the South China Sea, causing part of the USS Frank E. Evans to sink in less than two minutes. Sadly, many service members aboard the ship were asleep at the time this occurred, and the sinking resulted in the drowning of 74 American sailors. Since this tragedy, these sailors have become known as the Lost 74. Unfortunately, the USS Frank E. Evans sank approximately 100 miles outside of an official combat zone, which has made these fallen heroes ineligible for certain military recognitions, such as inclusion on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, DC. We will soon be introducing a resolution to remember and honor the lives of the Lost 74. These brave service members provided naval support throughout the Vietnam War—including during the Tet Offensive—and ultimately gave their lives in service to our nation. Their sacrifice should be properly recognized regardless of a combat zone boundary. We hope you will join us in formally recognizing these 74 sailors who lost their lives while serving our country. |
Introduced as HR261