Foot Locker Talk Newsletter

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1 U S S F R A N K E. E VA N S ( D D ) A S S O C I AT I O N, INC. Footlocker Talk Newsletter 2009 First Quarter 40th Memorials 3 June, 2009 Several of you have asked about the plans for the 40th memorial ceremonies this coming 3 June, As of this publishing here is the up-to-date information: IPSWICH, QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA June 3rd, 4th & 5th 2009 Commemorative Service 3 June, :00 A.M. at City Hall Mayoral Reception 4 June 2009, 6:30 P.M. at City Hall 5 June, Farewell BBQ, time & place TBD LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA USA 3 June, 2009 PENNSYLVANIA We have yet to confirm the exact date and location of the Memorial Ceremony for Pennsylvania, more information will be communicated once plans are firmed up. Commemorative Service: 10:00 AM at the Long Beach Navy MeOur Pennsylvania Lost morial at Pier Point Landing, 100 Aquar- Patrick Michael Corcoran ium Way Raymond Joseph Early Luncheon to Follow SN SA Stephen Don Fagan SA Donald Eugene Gearhart SA Victor Thomas Rikall RD2 OUR NEW TRAILOR IS COMPLETE AND READY TO HIT THE ROAD As you can see by the series of photo s our new trailer is complete and ready to hit the road. As indicated in our last publication, we had accumulated lots of valuable treasures, memorabilia and ships store items that made it impossible for us to transport all our items safely to reunions. Our new trailer was built by A & A Welding Co. (owner, Poggie Ames) and the finish work completed by Diamond C Co. (owner, John Campbell). Together both companies contributed over four thousand dollars worth of time and labor toward it s construction. The Associations heart filled thanks goes out to Poggie & John, Bravo Zulu, a job well done.! Inside this issue: 2009 Memorials / New Trailer In Memoriam 1 2&3 Walk Down Memory Ln. 3 Featured 50 s 4 Mail Call 5 Shipmates /POD 6 Special Memories 7 Featured 60 s 8 The trailers top raises up for easy ingress and egress, the ramp allows ease of loading and unloading. When the ramp is closed we have listed all the Reunions and Memorial destinations

2 In Memoriam Robert C. Olson XO Redlands, CA Deceased Robert C. Olson, association member, was born October 18, 1919 in Waukegan, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1941 and served on active duty in the Navy from in the Pacific theatre during WWII and again from , in the Korean Conflict. He was the executive officer on board USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) during this time. Following his tour of duty in Korea he worked for the US Gypsum Company in Chicago and Glendale California. He retired in 1985 after 33 years of service and moved to Redlands, California. Bob is survived by his wife of 56 years, Bobbie, four children and three grandchildren. William A Matheney BM Cullman, Alabama Deceased William Bill A Matheney, association member, of Cullman, Alabama passed away on Bill was a dues paying member since 1996 and never missed supporting the association by keeping his dues paid up. After Bill s military service he returned to Alabama were he worked in the private sector as a truck driver. Bill is survived by his wife Doris. Thomas E. McMillan BM Pearland, Texas Deceased Thomas E. Tom McMillan, Jr. 61, association member, of Pearland, Texas passed away Thursday, January 29, 2009 at M.D. Anderson Hospital. He was a Project Manager at Zachary Industrial, Inc. for 11 years, worked at Gulf States for 26 years and served as Brazoria County Fair President in Tom also served on board USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) from He is survived by his wife, Patricia Ann McMillan of Pearland; father, Thomas E. McMillan, Sr. and stepmother Lois of Wild Peach; mother, Ann Ringo Roberts of Angleton; sister, Mary Ann Inman of Hephziban, Georgia; children, Chad McMillan and wife, Lisa of Pearland; Jerusha Terry and husband, Steve of Houston; and Pam Pitts and husband, Mark of Denham Springs, La.; granddaughter, Erin Pitts and nephews, Ben Howard and Danny In. Richard A. Green Seaman Las Vegas, Nevada Deceased Richard A. Green, association member, was tragically shoot and killed on According to the Las Vegas Sun newspaper Richard was trying to protect his daughter from her husband, who was distraught over divorce proceedings. Richard died on Feb. 10, 2009 of a gunshot wound. His death has been ruled a homicide. Ricky Shadoan (Richard's son-in-law) evidently came to Richard's house, shot his daughter, Richard, and then turned the gun on himself. Richard served on board USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) from Richard is survived by his wife Terry and his daughter. Harold C. Hjerleid Seaman Decorah, Iowa Deceased Harold C. Hjerleid of Decorah, Iowa passed away on April 3, 2008 at the age of 67 after 2 years of mesothelimoa (asbestos lung cancer). Harold attended the 1995 Charleston reunion but was unable to attend after that due to his wife s Colleen's health. Following his service in the Navy he worked as a meat packing clerk and then as a clerk in the US Post Office for 25 years. Harold was a VFW member and was still was able to wear his whites and blues as a color guard. Harvey Wein RD Los Angeles, CA Deceased August 08 Harvey J Wein of Los Angeles, California passed away last August, Harvey was always a very quite and private person. He joined the Navy as a reservist from Kansas City, Missouri. After boot camp he reported for duty to the cruiser Roanoke but was later transferred to USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754). He settled in Los Angeles to work in the private sector for 50 years after his military service. Chuck Swengal remembers Harvey as being very private and quite, even though Chuck and Harvey never saw each other after 1957, they did keep in touch. P a g e 2

3 In the Reunion Photo Book of our 9 th Annual Reunion held in Aurora, CO, there was a letter written by George Murphy who served on USS Kearsarge (CVS 33). The letter describes his feelings and observations on 3 June 1969, relative to the events surrounding the collision between USS Frank E Evans (DD 754) and HMAS Melbourne. In particular was George Murphy s description of his friendship and concern for Seaman Apprentice Jack Wimsett, a crewman aboard Evans. George had met Jack in 1968, in Long Beach, at an amusement park. Two single sailors met two girls, and they became a foursome. Survivors of the collision were eventually brought aboard Kearsarge. The motor whaleboats started to arrive and George was determined to see them all, but he had missed the first boat. He caught all the rest. He looked at every man. He looked for Jack Wimsett s face. Then the boats stopped coming. All the personnel who were coming to Kearsarge were In Memoriam (continued) John F. Stanahan SO Chicago, Illinois Deceased John F. Stanahan passed away on March of 2007 as reported by his friend and shore buddy Lynn S. Garrett. John served on board USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) from 1953 to 1956 as a Sonar man. He is survived by his son, Tim Stanahan. Clifton A. Bell MM Oklahoma City, OK Deceased Clifton A Bell passed away in August 2007 at the age of 78 as notified by his surviving spouse, Mary Lou. He was on board USS Frank E. Evans (DD t54) his entire enlistment as a Machinist Mate from 1959 to Clifton wanted to attend USS Frank E. Evans reunions; however, his dialysis requirements did not allow him to travel. Jettie Westbrook Seaman Knoxville, TN Deceased Jettie Mallette Westbrook passed away after being in a car accident on 25 March, 2008 as notified by his surviving spouse, Pasty. Mallette was brought on board USS Frank. E Evans (DD 754) to help re-commission the ship for the Korean Conflict. After being on Evans he was then transferred to the tender, Dixie where he served out his military time. WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE there...george had not seen Jack. At the memorial service the evening of 3 June 1969 George scanned again the faces he had seen throughout the day. In the eyes of all of those guys was a hollowness George will not forget. There were four or five rows of men from USS Frank E. Evans there that night. As he scanned the faces, another face peered around a man in the front row. It was George s friend JACK! He was there! Jack was there, and George saw Jack the same time he saw George! On 8 June 1969, Jack Wimsett, Peter Taylor Jr. Robert Benson, and George Murphy were sitting in the China Seas Club in Subic Bay, Philippines, when some person there asked them if they would like a picture taken. They did and all of them got a copy. They all signed it on the back, and said some day, they d all be back together again in the states, where they knew things would be better. The following day, Jack and Peter Taylor were gone. Bob Benson and George went back to sea, and the war, and their lives continued. Peter Taylor died in George never saw Jack again until June Bob Benson died from cancer in The real news about this article is the photo, In October 2007, Jack Wimsett and his wife, Gayle attended their first USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) Association reunion at the Excelsior Springs Hotel & Spa, Excelsior Springs, Missouri. At that time the identity of the sailors in the photos had yet to be determined. Jack remembered each sailor as if the photo had been just taken. P a g e 3

4 FEATURED FIFTIES CHARLES E. CLARK FT Lakes, Illinois. I went aboard USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) 14 January 1958, to serve in Fox (3 rd )Division. We departed the next day for Westpac, but before going on assignment, Destroyer Flotilla 13 went on a good-will tour to Pago Pago, Samoan Islands; Wellington, New Zealand; Hobart, Tasmania; Brisbane, Australia; and Manus Island. On the trip from Hawaii to Pago Pago, I will never forget when, on 24 January 1958, all the onboard Pollywogs became Shellbacks. I Charles E. Clark Chuck was born 1 September 1938 at Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Currently my hair is grey and I have blue eyes. I moved to the United States with my parents in 1954, graduated from Great Bend High School, and then enlisted in the Navy at Kansas City, Kansas on 23 October 1956, to see the world. I went to boot camp, and graduated from Gun Fire Control A and C Schools at Great Sometime in February 1958, we were on independent steaming south of Okinawa. A small craft with four fishermen aboard was spotted. The Fighter went into rescue mode. We took the fishermen and their boat aboard, fed them, and took them to Buckner Bay. The best information we could derive was that they had been adrift for approximately ten days. I regret that I did not take a picture of the broom hoisted on the mast declaring a clean sweep. All in all I made 3 Westpac tours, the first being the most Memorable. After the Navy I joined North American Aviation (Rockwell International) as a Senior Electronics Technician. I received a BA in Management from California State University, Fullerton. After 37 years I retired in November 1996 after having achieved the position of Business Manager, Tactical Missiles Systems. P a g e 4

5 The Frank E. Evans Group is like a big family - supporting and caring for one another thru all these years. We all have a bond, an unforgettable one. I hope that this friendship will continue to thrive. I plan on joining the group on June 3 in Long Beach. I now have 10 grandchildren. Mark and his family are back living in California. Regards, Susie Macayan Dear Sir/Madam, I stumbled across your website after wanting to learn more about USS Frank E Evans story, and after reading Michael Smiths personal story, it made me want to just rest my hand on his shoulder, to let him know that there are people so many miles away that are still affected by the tragedy that happened. You see, my father Skipper was a young sailor on the HMAS Melbourne. He was a real Aussie Larrikin who, loved a beer with his mates and was always the one with the jokes, but it was his family that saw the real Skipper, the nightmares he suffered and the cold sweats and the memories that visited him of a night. So I think what compelled me to you, I just wanted the men like Mike Smith to know that they are and always were in peoples thoughts over here in Australia Take care, kind regards, Kate The Tin Can sailor reports, Sonny Walker, president of the USS LAFFEY DD 724 wants everyone to know that the LAFFEY had severe flooding issues recently and was taking on a lot of water. The flooding has been controlled, but there is substantial amount of damage. To paraphrase what he wrote: SOS Save Our Ship!!! She has sprung some bad leaks and is need of dry dock service. The LAFFEY has been based at Patriots Point since She is the only SUMNER class destroyer left, the last of her kind. She was taking on water at an alarming rate. The flooding has been handled now but we need your MAIL CALL help. To dredge her out of her mooring, tow her up river to the dry dock and repair the bottom will cost at least $3 million. Patriots Point and the LAFFEY Association are looking for any donations we can get to save this important piece of naval history. Please make checks payable to : Patriots Point Development Authority and write Save the Laffey on the check and envelope. 40 Patriots Point Road Mount Pleasant. SC 9464 Mike Smith THE USS FRANK E EVANS (DD 754) ASSOCIATION DONATED $ 100. THE FOLLOWING IS THE RESPONSE FROM PATRIOTS POINT & THE LAFFEY ASSO- CIATION. Dear Members of the USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) Association, I want to extend our sincere thanks for your recent donation for the USS Laffey. This famous ship, known as the ship that wouldn't die, is a great testament to the resilience of the American people. At Patriots Point, our aim is to tell the stories of the sacrifice men & women in our armed forces who protect our freedom. Our mission at Patriots Point is to foster Patriotism, Honor & Character. Your generous contribution helps us to fulfill this mission. Hugh B. Tant Brigadier General. USA (Ret.) My name is Michael Branum, son of William H Branum Jr. I just wanted to compliment you on a wonderful and informative web page about the USS Frank E Evans. My Father brought over a DVD the other day and we both watched about the history of the ship and those who served aboard. It brought into light all the stories he has told me over the years. Thank You Again Michael Greetings VFW Magazine Mail Call: I was onboard the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge CVS-33 in the South China Sea on June 3, 1969 when one of our destroyer escorts the USS Frank E. Evans DD-754 collided with the Australian aircraft carrier HMS Melbourne. The front half of the Evans sank almost immediately taking with her 74 American sailors including the three Sage brothers from Niobrara, Nebraska. At the time the Evans was part of an Allied exercise that included the Australian, British and New Zealand Navy's. Previously the Evans had been in the war zone bombarding enemy coastal positions. There will be several 40th anniversary memorial services on June 3, 2009 and I think it would be very special to the survivors, their families and the families of the 74 that were lost if the VFW magazine would pay tribute to the memory of the USS Frank E. Evans. If you need any further information please sylviajc@lakegranbury.com. Sylvia is the secretary of the Evans survivors association Randy Slaughter. ********************************** Thanks, to the membership for your nice response to the recent dues notices. The membership's response to the letters and notices has been great. We enjoy your short notes updating us on your family members, please keep us updated. The extra donations are appreciated greatly. The extra dollars for the association s general fund, Cal Rankin Memorial Fund, and the trailer has been gratifying. As always we will use them in the best interest of the association. I am pleased to report the association has 11 New Members. These new members are shipmates, wives of shipmates and family members of the 74 Lost Shipmates. Also 12 past members have rejoined the Association this year. The officers and board of directors extend a warm welcome to each of you. Donna Kraus, Treasurer Lest We Forget P a g e 5

6 IDENTIFIED SHIPMATES Since our last edition the following shipmates have been identified Terry Vejr & Henry West. Missing person is Gary Horn, where is he now? Terry Vejr (Survivor) found this among his mementos and wanted to share with the Association. POD 28 May 1969 Robert Petty & Robert Boughman Welcome New Members James Bourke Pensacola, FL Dale Brandon Tustin, CA Charles Cunningham Long Beach, CA Eugene W. Garrity Weymouth, MA Steve Kawelmacher Ridgecrest, CA Janice Lehman Minneapolis, MN Tony Mason South Bend, IN Betsy Smith McCorkle Durham, NC Benjamin E. Steagail Gaffney, SC Doug Runion Summerville, SC Thomas Vargo Cresson, PA If you have an article or a memorabilia piece you would like to have published, please send to our Historian Frank Jablonski, he will make sure your article or memorabilia is published. Page 6

7 Memories of USS FRANK E. EV- ANS (DD 754) returned to me as my wife and sons toured USS LAFFEY (DD 724) at Patriots Point in Charleston about seven years ago. This was my first time on a destroyer since that night of June 3. I asked my family rd to go on ahead and let me stay a few more minutes and reflect on events, since this was Memorial Day. After one final walk through the ship, I slowly started back toward the prow that led to the pier where reality starts again. I had to stop and look back one more time, for I was sure I heard a voice from the past call out, "Get a haircut Postman." I was confident that no one was there, but I could feel the old crew watching me. I was convinced that we had spent the last MEMORIES OF USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) by PC3 Charles Michael Mike Smith hours mingling in the presence of heroes. I was aware that many of the words I spoke that day were not for anyone present in the flesh. I know that our 74 brave sailors rest in glory down in King Neptune's hallowed ground and their souls are in Heaven sitting at the right hand of our God, but their memories will follow me and the other EVANS survivors, forever. As we walked the decks of this old destroyer, memories had started flowing from somewhere in the back of my mind where I had buried them so long ago. This day is not a day for selfish thoughts so I turned my remembrances to the crew, ports, and pleasant things and this is what I wrote. I remember USS FRANK E. EV- ANS in Long Beach shipyard so far out on the mole that we had to take the old raggedy Navy bus out to her. I remember EVANS in the shipyard covered with the orange and yellow primer and soon afterward, she was completely gray with all new equipment and modern weapons. I remember my first rack, top bunk under the 1MC loud speaker. When reveille was sounded the next morning, I jumped up and hit my head on one of the overhead pipes. Then there were the short cold showers, the distinct stench of the scullery, and standing fire watches for the civilian welders as they transformed our old tin can into a superior fighting ship. USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) ASSOCIATION S SHIP STORE IS NOW OPEN ON-LINE! Want a hard copy of all the ship store items, call Sylvia at or her at sylviajc@lakegranbury.com Go to Click on Ship Store Introductory offer: Same prices we charge at reunions Free shipping Free handling (Sylvia s labor of love) On May 1 st our price per item will increase to help recover the cost of using PayPal. is the Official Website for the Association. Don t be fooled by other websites using the name of USS Frank E. Evans to sell their products. P a g e 7

8 I Richard F. Burke was born 15 March 1949 at Lynwood, CA. My hair was brown and my eyes are too. I grew up in South Gate, CA. An avid surfer since 13, I loved the ocean so enlisting in the Navy came naturally. My friends Bob and Craig Pratt, enlisted with me on 18 September After boot camp, now SN Burke, I was assigned to Fire Control Technician Class A School at Mare Island, CA. After graduating, now FTGSN, I reported aboard USS Frank E. Evans (DD-754). It was 16 March My days on board were filled with learning about the gun fire control systems and adapting to shipboard life. While underway to Hawaii, I took the fleet wide FTG3 exam. On the night of 2-3 June, I was scheduled to stand the Mid-Watch in the gun director. Prior to midnight the watch schedule was changed to normal steaming watch. When the collision with HMAS Melbourne occurred, I was thrown from my bunk to the deck. At first, I thought I had over slept for my watch. The battle lanterns came on and I could see my shipmates scrambling to their feet and there was debris everywhere. The main hatch was closed as the birthing compartment was air conditioned. I grabbed clothing items that were close, my blue jacket and boon Dockers. I have no idea why I grabbed those two items. I climbed up on deck to be greeted by lots of confusion and the sight of the Melbourne right next to us. We seemed to slide along side the Melbourne. A gunner's mate and I climbed up to the DASH deck and went forward to just in front of the aft stack. There was nothing forward of where we stood! I remember being scared, yet oddly calm. We went back to the fantail and the organized chaos. I found my friends FTG2 Dean Wyse and FTG3 Rolf Buchner. We stood on the fantail for what seemed like eternity. Melbourne lowered cargo nets over the side and we climbed up the netting to her flight deck. We sat there grouped in our divisions. There were endless head counts. We were constantly asking about friends in other divisions. Around sunrise, Melbourne s band came out and played for VALENTINE FAIRYTALE WEDDING us. By this time the enormity of what had happened had sunk in to all of us. Melbourne s crew passed cans of beer to us. I drank two large cans of Fosters and it had no affect on me. We were told USS Kearsarge (CVS 33) was on her way to the collision scene. I was happy at that news. My childhood friend Bob Pratt was serving aboard Kearsarge as a Fire Control Technician. On board Kearsarge, we were able to get something to eat, clothing, Bob gave me one of his dungaree shirts and a pair of dungaree trousers. I was able to send short telegrams to our families letting them know we were safe aboard Kearsarge. Upon arrival to the United States, I embarked on 20 days leave. I was assigned to USS COWELL (DD 547), a reserve training ship at Treasure Island, California. While in transit, I learned that I had passed the FTG3 exam and was promoted to FTG3 at the time of the collision. I served out my enlistment aboard USS Cowell. After being discharged from the US Navy, I enlisted in the US Army and served a total of 16 years in the Army. In September 1989, I was able to retire from the US Army as First Sergeant, Field Artillery. Richard and Wendy were married on 14 February, 2009 in Carmichael, California. Rich and Wendy had been best friends for many years. Wendy lived in Ventura and Rich in Folsom, California, some 300 miles apart. All the pieces of the puzzle came together when Wendy found a job in Northern California, so they decided to tie the knot. The wedding day was perfect, the ceremony elegant and all in attendance knew this was truly a fairytale wedding. Attending the wedding were many family and friends. Dean & Cheryl Wyse, Pete & Karen Peters and Steve & Donna Kraus were all present to represent the association. P a g e 8 P a g e 8