CRAMER LETTER URGES NDAA CONFEREES TO INCLUDE U.S.S. FRANK E. EVANS AMENDMENT IN FINAL BILL

Recording: Download Letter  

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kevin Cramer led a letter to conferees on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) encouraging them to include language in the final bill allowing the names of U.S.S. Frank E. Evans veterans to be added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Cramer sponsored this amendment, which was included in the House version of the bill, but not in the Senate bill.    

In the letter, Cramer and his House and Senate colleagues outline the criteria which must be met for the Secretary of Defense to add the names of the crew members to the wall. Cramer said, “The U.S.S. Frank E. Evans had just exited the combat zone at the time of the wreckage. Having the names of the lost heroes memorialized is an honor I hope we can achieve for their friends and family.” 

Cramer’s amendment in the NDAA was approved by the House on May 24, and the Senate approved its version of the legislation on June 18. House and Senate leaders will now select members to serve on a conference committee to work out the differences between the bills.

A total of 74 crew members died in the sinking of the U.S.S. Frank E. Evans, while the ship provided naval gun fire off the coast of Vietnam. While conducting friendly maneuvers with the Australian and New Zealand navies outside of the combat zone on June 3, 1969, it collided with the HMAS Melbourne aircraft carrier causing the wreckage. To read more click here.           

Since introducing the bill to honor the heroes of the U.S.S. Frank E. Evans, H.R. 5689, Cramer has heard from veterans who survived the tragedy, as well as family members of those who perished. Cramer noted it was through his weekly talk radio town hall that he learned of a Fargo veteran and survivor from the ship, Richard Grant, who supported the legislation.     

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