USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) Association, INC.

USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) Association, INC.
Newsletter 52
First Quarter
2014
SHIPMATES, MEMBERS, FAMILY & FRIENDS... SEND
US YOUR NEWS!!!!!
Remember Virginia.....Think Seattle!
PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES NEW & IMPROVED WEBSITE - Ahoy Shipmates and Friends of the USS FRANK
E. EVANS (DD 754)Association. It is my pleasure to welcome you to our updated website! Several members have worked hard to
produce a variety of information for your viewing pleasure. Several new links can be found throughout the website. Please take the
time to check them out.
From “the 74" tab, you can now click on a specific “lost 74 Sailor” and see a copy of the display board we use during our reunion
memorial ceremony. As new information becomes available we update these story boards. The Ship Store is also back online. W e
limited the items available for immediate online purchase. At the request of our members we are in the process of ordering new items,
which, will be added to the online inventory. Payments for orders are made electronically. We have added the opportunity for those
interested in joining our association to do so online. Go to page 4 and meet Bill Thibeault, our new web administrator.
J. C. Campbell, President
Steve Kraus, Vice President
USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) - 18TH & LAST COMMANDING OFFICER
CDR ALBERT SYDNEY MCLEMORE 26 MARCH 1968 - 3 JUNE 1969
Change of Command - At sea, off the coast of Sasebo, Japan, CDR
CARL T. HANSON, relieved by CDR ALBERT S. MCLEMORE.
Albert Sydney McLemore was born 5 June 1929, at Toledo, Oregon.
He was commissioned 17 September 1949, upon graduation from the
California Maritime Academy as a merchant marine engineer, with
a third engineer’s license. From 1950 - 1955, Mr. McLemore
served aboard USS TITANIA (AKA 13), USS SUISUN (AVP 53), and
USS ARNOLD J. ISBELL (DD 869), all in the engineering
department, going from assistant engineer to chief engineer. In
1953, he qualified as OOD. He also served aboard USS BON HOMME
RICHARD (CVA 31)as chief engineer. Mr. Mclemore went to General
Line School and then became Officer-In-Charge Radarman School.
In 1956 he was XO of USS ALUDRA (AF 55), then staff of
Commander Cruiser Destroyer Squadron 25 Pearl Harbor as CSO and
Operations Officer. CDR McLemore assumed command of USS FRANK
E. EVANS (DD 754) 26 March 1968. He was almost 40 years old.CDR
McLemore lived with his wife at 2654 Mariner Ave. in San Pedro,
California. They had five sons. The oldest, Albert Jr. went
away to school at the California Maritime Academy, and another
was at Coronado, in high school. His significant awards include the Republic of Vietnam
Distinguished Service, Navy Commendation (2), Navy Unit Commendation, China Service, American
Defense, Navy Occupation, National Defense, Korean Service (5 stars), Vietnam Service (5
stars), Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, UN Service, and Republic
of Vietnam Campaign.
A collision between USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) and HMAS MELBOURNE occurred about 0315 on 3
June 1969, in the South China Sea, about 650 miles south-west of Manila, Philippine Islands,
(240 miles south-east of Saigon) when FRANK E.EVANS ran under MELBOURNE’s bow in the course
of changing station from ahead to astern of MELBOURNE. FRANK E. EVANS was cut in two. The
forward part sank shortly afterwards while the after part of the ship swung around and was
secured to MELBOURNE’s starboard side aft. Seventy-three U. S. sailors were lost at sea. One
body was recovered. FRANK E. EVANS had a 278-man crew with 273 aboard. U. S. Navy personnel
were rescued from the water or were removed from the fantail for transfer aboard MELBOURNE.
After a search confirmed no one remained in FRANK E. EVANS, she was let go by MELBOURNE to
later be secured to USS EVERETT F. LARSON (DD 830) until being towed to Subic Bay. MELBOURNE
suffered no personnel injuries. On 11 September 1969, LTJG Ramsey, the Officer of the Deck,
entered a plea of guilty to charges of dereliction in the performance of duty and negligently
hazarding a vessel before a general court-martial. He was sentenced to be reprimanded and to
lose 1,000 numbers of the unrestricted line. Ramsey subsequently resigned his commission.
Commander McLemore entered a plea of not guilty but was found guilty of the same charges as
Ramsey. McLemore was sentenced to be reprimanded. CDR McLemore was transferred ashore. He was
never promoted to Captain. He left the U. S. Navy in 1976, and in 1998 was living in
retirement in Nevada. CDR Albert Sydney McLemore died 30 September 2001. He was 72 years old.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
A hearty welcome and warm wishes to all new members. Interested in joining? Contact
Donna Kraus at [email protected] or 760-941-8184, or go to the website www.ussfee.org
NAME
RELATIONSHIP
CITY
Gale Dale
Daughter/Burton F. Latham ‘45 Houston
Texas
Robert E. Mitchell
Friend/Association
Illinois
Arlington Hts
STATE
“Bob” was a RT2c aboard USS ALBERT T. HARRIS (DE 442) 43-46. Bob learned about USS FRANK
E. EVANS and became interested in the ship and our cause to get the “Lost 74” names on
the Wall. Bob has contacted the DOD and asked hard questions about why the names are not
on the wall, response pending. “Welcome aboard Bob,” our newest Second Watch member.
2
CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS - In
the previous edition of the newsletter,
2009 was listed as the year of CDR C. T. Hanson’s death; it should read
2008. Thanks to MM1 Charles Caroll 66-68 for his keen observation.
Yet another correction... The photo of Mrs. Frank E. Evans, identified
as Esther Caldwell Townsend Evans Stewart is in fact Alleen Fisk
Lambert, Frank E. Evans’ second wife who he married 16 Jun 1937. So
Alleen is the one who christened the ship back in 1944, and who stood in
the front line next to CDR Christie when our ship was recommissioned in
1950. Thanks to Louise Esola for the information.
During the 2011 reunion in Waterloo, IA, the association placed a
temporary monument in Waterloo Memorial Park to memorialize all who
served aboard FRANK E. EVANS. Since then, the permanent monument has
been placed. An unknown shipmate took this picture of it. “Thanks
unknown,” for your continued interest and participation.
Before
Alleen Fisk Lambert
Mrs. Frank E. Evans #2
Univ of Georgia 1933
After
IN MEMORY OF ALL VETERANS,
especially our “74 Lost.” Thank you for your service!
"If you can't accept death, you'll never get over it.... So what
the Memorial's about is honesty... You have to accept, and admit
that this pain has occurred in order for it to be healed, in order
for it to be cathartic... All I was saying in this piece was the
cost of war is these individuals. And we have to remember them
first." Maya Lin....designer... Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall
Maya Lin
She remained ruthlessly focused on her objective... like a
blade.... It was one of the most bitterly disputed public monuments
in American history. Only 21 when her design for the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial was chosen in 1981, Maya Lin has never shied away
from controversy. Her starkly simple slash of polished black
granite inscribed with the 57,661 names of those who died in
Vietnam was viciously attacked as "dishonorable," "a scar," and "a
black hole," but Lin remained committed to her vision, and the
Memorial, a moving tribute to sacrifice and quiet heroism, was
built as planned. The word for Maya is courage ..........WE MUST
BE LIKEWISE TO GET OUR 74 NAMES ON THE WALL!
Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision (NETFLIX)...Highly recommended!
3
MEETING WITH CONGRESSMAN ADAM SCHIFF
On 4 October 2013, Association members Steve, Donna, Jess, Gary
and Meredith Kraus had the opportunity to meet with Congressman
Adam Schiff in his Washington D.C. office.
As planned,
Congressman Schiff was going to provide a tour of the capital
however due to the government shut down he was unable to make the
arrangements.
In lieu of the tour, Congressman Schiff and his
military staffer, Cameron Gallagher talked future strategies to
get the names of the “Lost 74” on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.
Congressman Schiff indicated he wanted to make another run at the
Department of Defense. He believes Secretary Chuck Hagel might be
more receptive to our story than the previous Secretaries. Steve
Kraus explained to Congressman Schiff about a recent radio
interview between Bill Thibeault and Del Francis with a local
station in Connecticut wherein it was mentioned that in 1999, at the rededication
ceremony in Niobrara, Nebraska then Senator Chuck Hagel had mentioned he supported
getting the names on the Wall. Congressman Schiff asked if the FEE association could
obtain affidavits from the attendees as to what they heard Senator Hagel say, then he
would address it to Secretary of Defense Hagel.
Steve agreed to contact the people who attended the ceremony and obtain affidavits.
Congressman Schiff is arranging a meeting with Secretary Hagel. In the meantime all
association members and interested parties should continue applying pressure on their
congress person to support Congressman Schiff’s efforts.
NEW WEB ADMINISTRATOR -
Survivor
Bill
Thibeault, our association’s troubadour, is
our web administrator. Bill has worked with Jen
Kraus to modify the appearance of our website:
www.ussfee.org He started by consolidating some
links on the home page.
The goal is to keep the site fresh and
interesting. We will have a link to each of the
Lost 74, kind of like with the birthdays on
Facebook. Another long overdue change will be
updating the ship store.
We intend to make
this the best web site around and it will be
because you shared your “stuff.”
If you notice the History tab, the 50’s guys
are the most represented. You WWII and Vietnam
guys
need
to
be
added
too.
Please
send
me,
([email protected]),
or
Bill
([email protected]) your stories about anything and everything....adventures,
experiences and – since the statute of limitations has run out – your fun times on liberty.
Tell us about the night of 3 June. Tell us how you, as a family, learned the news. This is
a history of our ship, made up from guys and gals like you. Let your family...the world know
your story. If you have trouble putting it into words, call me at 706-335-0724, and I will
help you get it on paper. Send your pictures
too, to me or Bill. We will add them to the
web site and/or the newsletter and put them in
the archives. Also, to be kind of morose, we
are running out of time and your legacy needs
to be placed where others can honor you and…
in my case… laugh at you... Send the stuff,
Mates. When changes or additions are made, I
will let you know so you can go check it out.
“Lest We Forget”
John Coffey
4
USS KIDD (DDG 100) DEPLOYS TO WESTPAC 7 January 2014
On a crystal clear San Diego morning FEE Association members Randy Martin and Steve Kraus
attended the deployment ceremony for USS KIDD. They arrived early in the morning in time to
meet Captain Varela and Executive Officer Zerr. The captain suggested we all meet on the
bridge to witness preparation for getting underway. As always, the officers and crew were
professional by extending thanks and appreciation to the USS Frank E. Evans Association for
all the kindness and support throughout the years.
The Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS
KIDD (DDG 100) and USS PINCKNEY (DDG
91) departed Naval Base San Diego
together on independent deployments to
WestPac. Both ships have crews of more
than 300 Sailors and are designed to
operate
independently
or
with
an
associated strike group. Both ships
will
conduct
theater
security
cooperation
and
maritime
presence
operations with partner nations.
"USS
KIDD
spent
the
last
year
preparing
for
our
upcoming
deployment,”
said
CDR
Gabriel
A.
Varela, commanding officer. "KIDD is
looking forward to a deployment in the
7th Fleet area of responsibility and
working closely with our friends and
allies in the region."
KIDD is named in honor of Rear Adm. Isaac C. Kidd who was killed on board USS ARIZONA (BB
39), during the attack on Pearl Harbor. You can follow KIDD’s deployment by logging onto
KIDD’s Facebook page. She is expected to return to San Diego late this summer.
5
SIGNAL FLAGS & CALL SIGNS
- From time to time, shipmate FT3 Nolan Craig 55-57, has
contributed to this newsletter, e. g. 4 th Qtr 2010 and 3 rd
Qtr 2011, wherein the topic has included signal flags. Here
is another tidbit...
I liked the display of November Tango Kilo Bravo (sometimes
I get the kilo and tare flags reversed) the flag
representation of DD 754, at the hotel in Virginia Beach
during the last association meeting. I was particularly
happy to see the display in San Diego and Dallas too. This
display, and for any ship in the world, can be looked up
in a navigation identification manual, and identify NTKB
as FRANK E. EVANS.
USS KIDD (DDG 100) has a yellow flag with a black ball
(forgot that one) [I or India,] but this is an example the
design can determine the letter.
USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754)
NTKB
The flags can be identified even if you are color blind or
at a distance because of the distinct patterns. The
November, or Nancy, flag is a checker board of blue and
white, the flag that begins all U. S. Navy Ships’ visual
identification. The checker board pattern can be observed
even if the colors cannot be distinguished. Flying from
starboard yardarm means going to sea; flying from port
yardarm, coming in to port.
The Baker Pennant is flown by itself on a separate halyard
any time danger such as refueling at sea, when firing
weapons, and of course the smoking lamp is out any time
Baker is flying.
For a period of time at least through the 50's, and part of
the 60's, the radio call sign was Swallow. I wondered how
EVANS had come up with that designation when I noticed the
order of flags in the visual call sign; the “B” Baker
(Bravo) “flag” was at the bottom. Baker is actually a solid
red colored “pennant.” Not only that but the Baker or Bravo
is a swallow tail pennant (double pennant), hence the radio
call sign “Swallow.” I suspect EVANS was the only ship in
the squadron with Bravo/Baker and hence this is how I
believe the call sign became Swallow; don't know but this
is my speculation. I was told but forgot the call sign of
EVANS after the Fram conversion in 1962. [“Assault”]
For the record, USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754)'s visual call
sign always has been NTKB. The phonetic alphabet used
during WW II, was changed to the present system in 1957.
Nolan is more familiar with the WW II system.
USS KIDD (DDG 100)
NKID
Nolan, thanks for your continued support and accolades.
AMERICAN BOYS
- The True Story of the Lost 74 of the
Vietnam War...Louise Esola’s Web site and blog are up! As some
of you know, the countdown is on for the release of her book
American Boys, coming fall of 2014. The goal of the book is to
raise awareness about the 74 men who were killed aboard USS
FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) on 3 Jun 1969--and to convince the
world they did, in fact, die in the Vietnam War. It's a story
that's been obscured for 45 years. Louise became a journalist
a long time ago because she wanted to tell these kinds of
stories. Please help spread the word! www.louiseesola.com
6
3 JUNE 2014 SIDNEY AUSTRALIA MEMORIAL CEREMONY -
Several former
shipmates of HMAS Melbourne (R 21) have formed an organizing committee to host a 3 June
Memorial Ceremony to pay tribute to the “Lost 74” and the crew of USS Frank E. Evans.
Several events are being planned for the week of 1 June through 6 June 2014. The host
city is Sidney. In addition, the Australian National Maritime Museum is planning a display
of USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) and HMAS Melbourne (R 21) memorabilia. It is anticipated
the artefacts and other information will be on display for about nine months.
The
Australian National Maritime Museum is located in Darling Harbor, Sidney.
Anyone who has ever considered a trip to Australia should take advantage of
opportunity. So far,a few members have indicated they will attend. Interested?
this
Contact Rear Admiral Tony Horton (Primary Organizer) or Ron Baker (Association Liaison
to Australia).
Tony Horton
Ron Baker
[email protected]
[email protected]
19 McLeod Avenue
9 Holmes street
Roseville
Raymond Hill
Sidney, NSW 2069
Queensland, 4305
Australia
Australia
EMMETT & MUGGS STILL GOING STRONG On 6 October 2013 members Steve and Donna Kraus
visited Annapolis, Maryland to see Vice Admiral
Emmett Tidd and his wife Muggs. They live in a
lovely retirement center on the outskirts of
Annapolis. The day was very special as Emmett
celebrated his 90th birthday. Donna and Steve
visited for a couple of hours and went over old
times. Emmitt was an advisor to the Associations
Board of Directors and they both attended many
reunions.
Emmett and Muggs are so proud of their children,
VADM Kurt W. Tidd, assistant to the Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Pentagon, Washington,
D.C., and RADM Mark Tidd, Chief of Navy Chaplains.
See the details below.
On behalf of Emmett and Mugs, they miss being able to attend reunions but traveling is
no longer something they are able to do. They are proud of the association’s progress
and has truly developed into a very fine patriotic military organization.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
MAJ Carl M. Phillips
VADM Kurt W . Tidd
RADM Mark L. Tidd
7
CHAPLAIN MAJOR CARL M. PHILLIPS
- We were first introduced to U.S. Army Chaplain Major
Carl M. Phillips in the 1st Quarter 2012 Newsletter. Nephew to Association member Ed
Holsopple, he was one of the first active duty servicemen featured in the newsletter. He has
been deployed to South Korea, along with his wife, Deanna, for almost two years, soon to
return stateside. His next duty station is unknown. Major Phillips has served in Iraq,
Afghanistan, and many stateside locations. He began his military career in the USAF.
VICE ADMIRAL KURT W. TIDD
- the son of Emmett and Muggs, is the assistant to the
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. In this capacity,
he serves as the Chairman’s direct representative to the Secretary of State. He is also the
designated U. S. roadmap monitor for the Middle East Peace Process.
As the former director for Operations (J3), Joint Staff, Kurt assisted the Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff in fulfilling his responsibilities as the principal military advisor
to the President and the Secretary of Defense in developing and providing operational
guidance, and in fostering clear communication between the President, Secretary of Defense,
Unified Commanders, and Services.
Vice Admiral Tidd graduated in 1974 from Porter Gaud School, Charleston, South Carolina and
was commissioned from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1978, with a degree in Foreign Area Studies.
Selected in 1984 as an Olmsted Foundation Scholar, Tidd has a master's degree in Political
Science from the University of Bordeaux, France. He has been awarded the Legion of Honor by
the government of France. He is a French linguist, and a proven sub-specialist in Strategic
Planning and Europe/Russia area studies. He is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College
and was a federal executive fellow at the Atlantic Council of the United States.
REAR ADMIRAL MARK L. TIDD
- the son of Emmett & Muggs Tidd, is Chief of Navy Chaplains,
Chaplain Corps. He is a graduate of Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. He
received his Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Master of Theology
from Princeton Theological Seminary. Mark is a graduate of the National War College in
Washington, DC, with a Master of Science in National Security Strategy and a graduate of the
Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the Armed Forces Staff College.
Rear Admiral Tidd’s Navy tours include Naval Air Station Moffett Field, California with
Patrol Wing 10 and the light cruiser USS REEVES (CG 24), home ported Yokosuka, Japan. During
his time aboard, REEVES he visited Qingdao, China, as part of the first port visit by U.S.
warships to that country in 39 years. He went on to serve as deputy command chaplain aboard
the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71).
Rear Admiral Tidd has served in leadership positions on the chief of Chaplain’s staff as the
branch head for Professional Development and Religious Programs and as the Advanced Training
officer at Navy Chaplain School. Tidd was assigned as the force chaplain for U.S. Naval
Forces Central Command and the fleet chaplain for U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in the
Kingdom of Bahrain. After serving as command chaplain for the U.S. European Command, he
became deputy chief of Navy Chaplains and Chaplain of the Marine Corps.
AIRMAN 1ST CLASS EVAN M. WHITE
- son of
Anne Messier-White, recently enlisted in the Air
Force Reserve at the Quonset Point Naval Air
Station in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. After
successfully
completing
Basic
Training
at
Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Evan is
currently enrolled in Cyber Security Training in
Biloxi, MS. He is expected home at the end of
February. As a younger man, Evan had hoped to
join the Marines along with his long time buddy
right after high school in 1997. Anne was
vehemently opposed to it and he abandoned his
dream out of respect for the anguish the family
went through after Dick’s death. Anne knows now
that the resentment in her heart caused her son
to give up the plans he had carefully made for
his future. Finding the USS FRANK E. EVANS
(DD754) Association changed her life. She now has
8
peace knowing her brother Dick did not serve and die in vain, which in turn gave Evan the
determination to pursue his dream once again. Anne says she is glad Evan has gone forward
with his dream, albeit down a slightly different path. She knows this new chapter in his life
will be fulfilling and thankfully, finally, she is delighted and proud to support and
encourage his decision. “Lest We Forget” ...Thanks Anne for your kind words.
ANNOUNCING THE NAVY GARDEN,
THE N A TIO N A L V IETNAM W AR
MUSEUM - Mineral Wells, Texas...
Completed and opened to the public on 30 May
2009, is the 300-foot long, 1/2 scale
replica
of
the
Vietnam
Memorial
in
Washington, D.C. The Wall is permanent,
unique, and updated annually to ensure
everything is accurate.
We have identified Con Wesley Warnock with
Texas roots. The Association has been
working to place and dedicate a stone
memorial and tree in his honor at the War
Museum
Park
which
is
located
about
45-minutes west of Fort Worth. The site is
where the majority of helicopter pilots who
flew in Vietnam were trained.
The main museum building has not yet been built. Its construction awaits the completion of
an ongoing fund-raising effort. Needing about $25 million, over $1 million has already been
raised and has funded the construction of the first three gardens, two parking lots and the
new Visitor Center. The fourth and fifth gardens are now under construction.
On 7 June 2014, the Museum will be dedicating and opening a new section of the park, the U.
S. Navy Garden. We anticipate setting the memorial stone at this time. In addition, we are
seriously considering the placement of a “missing panel,” similar to the one in Mt.
Washington Forever cemetery in Independence, Missouri. The panel may be the centerpiece of
the Navy Section. The cost is in excess of $5,000.
The Association had a successful reunion auction in 2013, collecting a little more than
$3,000.00. We have established a “project fund” titled Lost Panel for Texas with $1,595.00
seed money to start this fund, with the balance going to the “general fund.” We will not
make a firm commitment to the National Vietnam Memorial Park until the funding is within
sight, hopefully after the 2014 reunion. In the meantime, you can get more information about
the museum by visiting their website at www.nationalvnwarmuseum.org
Z IP P O
- the Sound Heard ‘Round the World
Open the lid, listen to the
unmistakable sound of a Zippo!
"clink,"
close
it
and
listen
to
the
“clunk.”
It’s
the
Zippo - a reusable metal lighter manufactured by
Zippo
Manufacturing
Company
of
Bradford,
Pennsylvania. The design was inspired by an Austrian
lighter of similar design. George Blaisdell founded
Zippo Manufacturing Co. in 1932, and produced the
first Zippo in early 1933. Blaisdell liked the sound
of the word "zipper" and "zippo" sounded modern;
therefore, “Zippo.” On 3 Mar 1936, a patent was
granted for the Zippo “windproof” lighter, able to
stay lit in harsh/cold weather and high altitudes,
due to the windscreen and adequate rate of fuel
delivery. The basic mechanism of the Zippo has
remained unchanged although thousands of different
styles and designs have been made in the eight
decades since its introduction. Since 1933, over
500,000,000 Zippo lighters have been produced. With
9
pressure on people not to smoke, production has changed from 18 million lighters a year in
the mid-1990s to about 12 million lighters in 2012.
In Wallace Terry's book, Bloods: An
describes the use of Zippo lighters
"When you say ‘level a village’, you
That's the way we did it. That's why
burnin' shit down."
Oral History of the Vietnam War by Black Veterans, he
in Search and Destroy missions during the Vietnam War.
don't use torches; it's not the 1800s. You use a Zippo!
people bought Zippos. Everybody had a Zippo. It was for
A museum called Zippo/Case visitors center is located in Bradford, Pennsylvania at 1932 Zippo
Drive. This 15,000 square foot building contains rare and custom made Zippo lighters, and
also sells the entire Zippo line. The museum was featured on the NPR program Weekend Edition
Sunday 25 Jan 2009. In 2001, a 1933 model Zippo was purchased for $18,000 at a swap meet, and
in 2002 the company bought one valued at $12,000 for its own collection. During the 2007,
75th anniversary celebration, Zippo sold a near mint 1933 model for $37,000. A classic Zippo
costs about $20.00 and is still made in the USA, complete with an unlimited
lifetime
guarantee. "It works or we fix it for free."
CHALLENGE COINS -
During the reunion in
Virginia
Beach,
Jerry
Reilly,
Chief
Larry
Reilly’s son, a fire fighter with the BexarBulverde Volunteer Fire Department, San Antonio,
Texas awarded a “challenge coin” inscribed
“Office of the Fire Chief” to various officers of
the USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) Association.
Soldiers in active combat originally popularized
the tradition of the challenge coin, which served
as an identifying token signifying membership in
an elite combat or flying unit. Now, nearly every
squadron
or
unit
possess
such
coins.
The
tradition spread to many fire departments, police
departments and elsewhere as a natural extension
to express pride and belonging. Unlike other
types of gifts, a coin is a permanent and
valuable object that will remain prized for
generations. It can appreciate in value and be
sought by collectors.
For your information, our Association has two
similar coins/pins available for sale in the ship
store for a nominal cost.
CHAPLAIN NAMESAKES
The bravery of four Catholic chaplains in the line of duty has
been recognized by U. S. Navy ships named in their honor.
Father Aloysius H. Schmitt - USS SCHMITT (DE 676) [1943]
Aloysius H. Schmitt was born in 1909. As LTJG, he was appointed chaplain in 1939. He was
hearing confessions on board the battleship USS OKLAHOMA (BB 37) when the Japanese attacked
Pearl Harbor. The ship capsized. Father Schmitt was entrapped along with several other crew
in a compartment with only a small porthole to escape. He assisted others, giving up his own
chance to escape, so more men might be rescued. LTJG Schmitt received the Navy and Marine
Corps Medal posthumously for his courage and self-sacrifice. The destroyer escort USS SCHMITT
(DE 676) was commissioned 24 Jul 1943, and was struck from the Navy list 1 May 1967.
There were three others: Father Joseph T. O'Callahan from Boston, Massachusetts - destroyer
escort USS O'CALLAHAN (DE 1051) [1964]; Father Vincent R. Capodanno from Richmond County,
New York, destroyer escort USS CAPODANNO (DE 1093)[1973]; and Father John Francis Laboon,
Jr., from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania guided missile destroyer USS LABOON (DDG 58)[1995].
Contributed by Association member Gail Muranyi; thanks Gail!
10
IN MEMORIAM
Grief is not a problem to be cured...but simply that you have loved someone...
Nettie Vejr
Mother of Terry Vejr
Portland, OR
Deceased 9/21/2013
Nettie Vejr, age 86, mother of association member and survivor Terry Vejr, died September
21, 2013. Besides Terry, there is a daughter Roberta. A memorial service will be held in
Michigan this spring.
Stephen Coffey
Brother of John Coffey
Commerce, GA
Deceased 9/27/2013
Stephen Coffey, age 65, brother of association’s communications director, John Coffey died
on Thursday September 27, 2013.
John was at the reunion in Virginia Beach when he
received notice.
Ironically, Stephen died on John’s birthday. Stephen was a 30 year
utility employee who was medically retired due to Parkinson Disease. He also was a member
of the Atlanta Symphony Chorus, and traveled the world singing with them. Stephen never
married and is survived by his only sibling, John.
Gary Etheridge
Grandson of Frank & Terri Jablonski
Aurora, IL Deceased 11/28/2013
Gary Wayne Etheridge Jr., age 36, passed away unexpectedly on Thanksgiving Day November
28, 2013 in Aurora, Illinois. As reported by his roommate, Gary had gone to bed on
Wednesday evening. When he failed to awaken Thursday morning his roommate found him not
breathing. An emergency call was made to 911 but he was DOA. Preliminary reports from the
coroner’s office indicate Gary died from diabetic coma. Gary is survived by his
grandparents Frank & Terri Jablonski, Mother Dominee Rompel, two sisters Shauna and
Taylor, several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
We all die twice...when our soul leaves the body...and then when no one ever
utters our name again..Lest We Forget
REUNION — 2014 — SEATTLE
SAVE THESE DATES
OCTOBER 1 THROUGH 4
DOUBLETREE SUITES HOTEL
16500 SOUTHCENTER PARKWAY, SEATTLE
$99.OO (w/Hot Buffet Breakfast)
FREE PARKING
FREE AIRPORT SHUTTLE
DETAILS WILL BE MAILED OUT BY 1 MAY 2014
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USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) ASSOCIATION, INC.
4587 BLACKWELL RD.
OCEANSIDE, CA 92056
WWW.USSFEE.ORG
FORWARDING SERVICE REQUESTED
1965
- USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) returning
from Westpac..Thanks to Chuck Huber
LEST WE FORGET...
OUR “LOST 74" EARNED THEIR PLACE ON THE VIETNAM MEMORIAL WALL
WWW.USSFEE.ORG
12