Foot Locker Talk Newsletter

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1 USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) ASSOCIATION, INC. Foot Locker Talk Newsletter Newsletter Third Quarter TH REUNION GRAPEVINE, TEXAS SEPTEMBER The time is almost here for our 20 th Reunion. We will be meeting at the Hyatt Regency DFW Hotel located in the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (In the city of Grapevine, Texas). It was a short 20 years ago when our founder H. G. Nick Nichols gathered the first group of USS Frank E. Evans destroyermen for the very first reunion. The first meeting attendees were Plank Owners, 40 s, 50 s, 60 s and survivors of the 3 June 1969 collision. The tradition continues this year as we celebrate our 20th reunion. This year is a very special gathering and it will not be the same if you are not there to participate. From the first reunion until today there have been three days scheduled for the reunions. This year we are adding a fourth day for some more fun. On Wednesday evening, the 26 th, we will have a Pub Crawl. This should be a fun event; so plan on coming a day early for our first Pub Crawl. On Thursday we will have a tour of the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza where JFK was assassinated. On Friday we will head over to the Stockyard Station in Fort Worth which will include a historic commentary of the Stockyards National Historic District from the comfort of the bus. There will be some time for you to venture out on your own for shopping and lunch. It is looking like a very fun day. If you have not made your hotel room reservation you must do so prior to 31 August, Call the hotel at and make your reservation today! Please send in your meal and tour registration forms no later than 14 September, Please contact Donna Kraus at krausdf@cox.net or call her at or on her cell at if you have any questions Everyone is looking forward to seeing you in Grapevine. THE REUNION WON T BE THE SAME WITHOUT YOU SO...PLEASE MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS TODAY!!!

2 USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) THRITEENTH COMMANDING OFFICER COMMANDER HAROLD H. ELLISON.4 SEPTEMBER 1959 TO 20 MAY Change of Command, CDR RALPH G. JOHNS relieved by CDR HAROLD H. ELLISON, USN. Harold H. Ellison was born 16 June 1920, at Corning, New York. He entered naval service December Harold Huntington Ellison, Bud, Duck Bud, is a good man to know if you take the time and trouble. In his spare moments he may usually be found writing a letter, but is always willing to join in any form of recreation. He spent a year at Yale and coasted through the Academy until youngster year. At times Bud exhibits a weakness for Hot Swing or classics. Popular with both sexes, Duck is an easy man to like. Information taken from the USNA - Lucky Bag Yearbook, Class of 1942, Page 209. In 1945,after being commissioned 4 March 1920, USS STEWART (DD 224) was scuttled at Suri Baya, Java on 2 March The ship was raised by the Japanese, repaired, and renamed Patrol Boat 102. since the name STEWART was reassigned to a new destroyer escort USS STEWART (DE- 238). LT Harold H. Ellison became the Commanding Officer of DD-224. Although officially called simply (DD 224) she was nicknamed by her crew RAMP -224 standing for Recovered Allied Military Personnel. After a number of problems throughout she was decommissioned in March 1946 and on 24 May 1946, off San Francisco, she was sunk as a target ship by USN rocket firing F4U "Corsair" and F6F "Hellcat" fighters. A long and harrowing trip just to tow a target. Harold Ellison served aboard USS COMPTON (DD 705) 2 Sep Oct 1945; USS THEODORE E. CHANDLER (DD 717) 31 Jan Aug 1947; and USS OAKLAND (CL 95) 31 Jan Aug CDR Ellison was in command of USS BRADFORD (DD 545) in 1955, and USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) from 4 September 1959 through 20 May 1961, USS MONTI- CELLO (LSD 35) from November 1962 thru January CAPT Ellison received a Meritorious Service Medal while commanding major components of the U. S. Navy s counterintelligence and investigative service from March 1964 thru June Captain Ellison was awarded the following awards/medals: Navy Commendation with V, China Service, American Defense Service, American Campaign, Asiatic Pacific, World War II Victory, Navy Occupation, National Defense, Korean Service, and United Nations Medal. (Air Force Commendation, Philippine Service not shown) The Japanese surrendered the ship at Kure, Japan and returned her to American service. On 29 October 1945, Vice Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf, COMSOWESTJAPFOR, read the order recommissioning USS STEWART in the United States Navy simply as "DD-224" In July 1972, after having served for 29 years, Captain Ellison retired.

3 OLD GUY AND A BUCKET OF SHRIMP Submitted by Harold Higginbottom 3 This is a true story, Hope you appreciate it and want to pass it along. It happened every Friday evening, almost without fail, when the sun resembled a giant orange and was starting to dip into the blue ocean. Old Ed came strolling along the beach to his favorite pier. Clutched in his bony hand was a bucket of shrimp. Ed walks out to the end of the pier, where it seems he almost has the world to himself. The glow of the sun is a golden bronze now. Everybody's gone, except for a few joggers on the beach. Standing out on the end of the pier, Ed is alone with his thoughts...and his bucket of shrimp. Before long, however, he is no longer alone. Up in the sky a thousand white dots come screeching and squawking, winging their way toward that lanky frame standing there on the end of the pier. Before long, dozens of seagulls have enveloped him, their wings fluttering and flapping wildly. Ed stands there tossing shrimp to the hungry birds. As he does, if you listen closely, you can hear him say with a smile, 'Thank you. Thank you.' In a few short minutes the bucket is empty. But Ed doesn't leave. He stands there lost in thought, as though transported to another time and place. When he finally turns around and begins to walk back toward the beach, a few of the birds hop along the pier with him until he gets to the stairs, and then they, too, fly away. Old Ed quietly makes his way down to the end of the beach and on home. If you were sitting there on the pier with your fishing line in the water, Ed might seem like 'a funny old duck,' as my dad used to say. Or, 'a guy who's a sandwich shy of a picnic,' as my kids might say. To onlookers, he's just another old codger, lost in his own weird world, feeding the seagulls with a bucket full of shrimp. To the onlooker, rituals can look either very strange or very empty. They can seem altogether unimportant... maybe even a lot of nonsense. Old folks often do strange things, at least in the eyes of Boomers and Busters. Most of them would probably write Old Ed off, down there in Florida. That's too bad. They'd do well to know him better. His full name:eddie Rickenbacker. He was a famous hero back in World War II. On one of his flying missions across the Pacific, he and his seven-member crew went down. Miraculously, all of the men survived, crawled out of their plane, and climbed into a life raft. Captain Rickenbacker and his crew floated for days on the rough waters of the Pacific. They fought the sun. They fought sharks. Most of all, they fought hunger. By the eighth day their rations ran out. No food. No water. They were hundreds of miles from land and no one knew where they were. They needed a miracle. That afternoon they had a simple devotional service and prayed for a miracle. They tried to nap. Eddie leaned back and pulled his military cap over his nose. Time dragged. All he could hear was the slap of the waves against the raft. Suddenly, Eddie felt something land on the top of his cap. It was a seagull! Old Ed would later describe how he sat perfectly still, planning his next move. With a flash of his hand and a squawk from the gull, he managed to grab it and wring its neck. He tore the feathers off, and he and his starving crew made a meal, a very slight meal for eight men. Then they used the intestines for bait. With it, they caught fish, which gave them food and more bait...and the cycle continued. With that simple survival technique, they were able to endure the rigors of the sea until they were found and rescued (after 24 days at sea). Eddie Rickenbacker lived many years beyond that ordeal, but he never forgot the sacrifice of that first life-saving seagull. He never stopped saying, 'Thank you.' That's why almost every Friday night he would walk to the end of the pier with a bucket full of shrimp and a heart full of gratitude. Reference:(Max Lucado, "In The Eye of the Storm",pp..221, )PS: Eddie started Eastern Airlines.

4 EVANS By Frank J. Jablonski Will the Real EVANS Please Stand Up! 4 Between 1918 and 1969, five ships in the United States Navy have carried the name EVANS. The first two ships, USS EVANS (DD 78), and USS EVANS (DD 552) were named for Robley Dunglison Evans. The third, USS EVANS (DE 1023), was named for Ernest E. Evans. The fourth was USS CLARENCE L. EVANS (DE 113), and the fifth was USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754). USS EVANS (DD 78), was a WICKES class destroyer launched in 1918, and transferred in 1940 to the Royal Navy as HMS MANSFIELD. She was decommissioned In USS EVANS (DD 552), was a FLETCHER class destroyer, launched in 1942 and sold for scrap in USS EVANS (DE1023), was a DEALEY class destroyer escort named for Medal of Honor winner Ernest E. Evans. She was launched in 1955 and stricken in USS CLARENCE L. EVANS (DE 113) was a CANNON class destroyer escort. She was launched in 1944, lent to France as BERBERE in 1952 USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) was an ALLEN M. SMMNER class destroyer. She was launched in 1944 and sunk in 1969.

5 USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) - PROTOCOL NAVY SHIP NAMES, THE & CAPITALIZATION By Frank J. Jablonski 5 It is important to know how to address our ship when writing articles, s or any other piece of correspondence. Evans - There were five destroyer type vessels named Evans: USS EVANS (DD 78), USS EVANS (DD 552), USS EVANS (DE 1023),USS EVANS (DE 113), and USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754). To avoid confusion and give proper credit, all written references to our ship should be the entire name USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754). For variation, USS and (DD 754) may be omitted. U. S. Navy ships, no matter the name, are considered persons, females; therefore, are referred to as such: serving in her, not on her; she departed, not it departed, etc. The in front of a ship s name is INCORRECT! The Evans, The Frank E. Evans, are both incorrect. It would be like referring to J. C. as The J.C., or Steve as The Steve... U. S. Navy ship names are either italicized or capitalized. USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754), or USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754). The key is to establish a style and stick with it. USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) is the correct (official) name of our ship. Navy ships are considered to be female persons and are to be referred to as such. The should never precede the name of a Navy ship. Either italicize or capitalize the names of U. S. Navy ships; be consistent. This information applies to all variations of maritime ships. References: U. S. Navy Style Guide (On line for free) They also use the Associated Press Style Book Note: Among the Navy community e.g. the Navy itself, All Hands Magazine, Tin Can Sailors, they all use similar but not identical styles. Their key is to pick a style and follow it. This makes an article, or even a treatise, uniformly easier to edit and presents a more professional looking and sounding product. We may even be perceived to be people who know what we are doing! SAILOR S SWILL Submitted by Chuck Huber AUTHOR UNKNOWN The Old Salt spat at a passing rat, and borrowed a match from me: Then scratched a match where his pants were tight, and spake quite fervently; I ll swear by gum, that it strikes me dumb this kind of dang navee. With not a sail, nor even a brail, and dog watches drinking tea. Twas some years back that I took a crack at serving Uncle Sam; An taint the same except maybe the name as twere in them days, by damn! We went aloft if the Old Man coughed, or if it began to blow; And got a root from a gov-ment boot if maybe we went too slow. A trick at the wheel took an arm o steel, and lots of plain beef y see. But now it s did by a high school kid, and patent lectricitee. We got our rum an slap o slum almost every day or so, An mouldy bits of ship s biskits if stores was running low. Today I seed how these youngsters feed the mess what they get each day, An strike me pink, if I don t think I d bin in a swell cafay.

6 DEPATMENT OF DEFENSE REJECTS PETITION 6 The following was sent to the membership on 25 July 2012 informing everyone about the Department of Defense s rejection of our petition to have the Lost 74 names added to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. Hi Everyone, I received a phone call from Congressman Schiff yesterday confirming the Department of Defense has once again turned down our association s request to have the "Lost 74" names added to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC. I expressed my sincere disappointment in receiving the news. The DOD is sticking with their original findings regarding the position of the ship at the time of the collision i.e. "outside the combat zone" and that we were not immediately in route from or to a combat/combat support mission. Congressman Schiff indicated he wanted to brain storm on what our next steps should be in making this objective a reality so we will be talking with him in the next month regarding our next steps. We are still searching through Navy records in an attempt to find documented proof Exercise Sea Spirit had ties as a combat support mission to the war. Many of the SEATO records for 1969 have yet to be located. We believe they are not in the archives yet because they may not have been totally declassified. Congressman Schiff has indicated his office will help with that undertaking. If you followed the most recent additions to the Vietnam Memorial you will find the crew from the plane had left Cubi Point (outside the combat zone) was headed to conduct radio jamming tactics and had engine problems. Part of the crew was ordered to bail out of the plane. Their bodies were never found. Since their mission was to or from the zone and in support of the Vietnam War, their names were added to the wall. We need to find all the "Exercise Sea Spirit" operational documents to determine if any of the ships had conducted any war related tactics. This may be the source of information which has been missing to support our cause. If you know of any such exercises that were conducted during Exercise Sea Spirit, please let me know the details so we can perform a more detailed search. Steve Kraus, Vices President USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) Association RESPONSES TO THE ABOVE NOTICE Very disappointing... I did have lunch with Louise a few weeks back in Hemet. What a treasure she is for the association. I got her some of my brother s letters and will get her some from boot camp too. Talk to you soon. Stay the course. We know good things do not come easy. We appreciate all you do. Fred Kerr, Brother of Jim Kerr, Lost 74 Thanks for all your efforts Steve. I am sure one of these days those retards will realize "Lost 74" names belong on Vietnam Wall. Harlan Dell (63-64) YN3 Hi Steve, Good hard work on this important endeavor to get our Brothers the recognition they so deserve. Please know that everyone who is working on this has our continued respect and gratitude. You will prevail. Thanks again, Bill Sullivan Thanks Steve for the update, I am extremely saddened by the DOD response, in my opinion, they are carefully wording their responses to our request so as to cover the responses to other situation of names that have since been added to the "Wall". My thought processes may be in left field, just how I feel...i hope the DOD realizes the FEE Association is not going away... LWF Ed Holsopple Hi Steve, I was stationed on KEARSARGE so I will check my records for anything to

7 7 do with Sea Spirit. Knowing our mission that night and proving what we were doing is going to be tricky. Like you at the EVANS group, I have felt the frustration with those responsible for the wall. In my book I chronicle a two tour fighter pilot who lost his life as a Blue Angel. In interviewing his mother, she was not able to get him on the wall because of the same technicality that you are facing. With this disappointment she gave us her position as an officer of the Gold Star Mothers. We all lost so many brothers and it is time for those people in DC to honor our shipmates and friends who lost their lives in service to our country. Get more Gabbro stone and chisel in the names of the deserving souls who need to be remembered with honor. Fair Winds. Richard Cooke Friends, I too received a call from Congressman Schiff and I could tell he is profoundly disappointed but also the word "quit" isn't in his vocabulary. And of course needless to say, I am very disappointed but more for the families of the "74" as well as the survivors and their families. But I know the word "quit" is not in any of your vocabulary's so we will "fight on." "Lest We Forget" Randy Slaughter MORE S Dear Friends and Shipmates, After a CT Scan two weeks ago, I was sent for PET CT Scan. That s the one where they pump you full of radioactive isotopes that won t hurt you, but keep away from pregnant women, in case your radiation causes harm to her unborn fetus. My oncologist informed me yesterday, that I have what appear to be secondary cancer polyps in my lungs, and a suspicious something on my liver (again!). He asked what my travel plans were for the rest of this year, and I told him that I would be going to the States for 3 weeks in September and that it was not negotiable. We agreed that I should see him on my return, so that he can check the growth of the polyps and, most likely, re-commence chemotherapy sometime in October. I will be arriving at DFW on September 8, and flying out again on September 30. I hope to be able to get to 3 or 4 States between Sep 8 and 25, when I am checked in to the Hotel for the reunion. I look forward to seeing all of you again. Lest We Forget Cheers Ron Baker To JC, Greetings and Salutations to All. Del Francis recalls being in convoy with USS Vogelgesang DD 862 when he was 'Boston' Ships Company -'69 to '72. I note that she had been in the South China Sea where she served as plane guard carriers on "Yankee Station in the Tonkin Gulf, Tis surely a small world. I play bridge 'on-line' every day and yesterday I joined a table with a partner code named DD862. I had to ask, it was just too coincidental. Turned out he knew little of your tragedy as, at the time, the ship was in Antarctic waters. I sent him Links for your DD754 site, a Wikipedia 'DD754' article, my facebook, The '74' video and a selection of photos. Sadly, JC, Parkinson's precludes me from travel over such a distance which would also deprive me of access to the DVA team of Medical Professionals who regularly visit me at home. I have a video which clearly shows my apartment building which I will send with this. Del Francis plans to come 'down under' for the 45th and I suggested a mini reunion at the Southport - my birthplace - RSL Club (Returned Services League) which could be bought forward to coincide with a major Military Memorial Event - ANZAC (Australia & New Zealand Army Corp-formed in WW1) Day, on 25 April. While Del & his wife Loretta are here I would love to be able to co-ordinate the logistics of a road trip 1100 miles down the East Coast via many tourist meccas to

8 S CONTINUED Melbourne which boasts the Shrine of Remembrance, Flinders Naval Depot (The Cradle of the Navy) which has a beautiful stone and stained glass Chapel whose interior curved timbers resemble an upturned ship, and the Navy Museum. I began my Navy career there in '64. Finally, JC, were you able to 'post' the 'Voyager' Link in an appropriate position on your site. I hope I have covered everything. The hour is now 05:45L and I rose at 03:20 so I feel I've earned myself a coffee. From early morning 'til mid afternoon is my best time pain wise so it is naturally when I'm most able to achieve my best. Fair Winds, Yours, Aye, Dutchy Hey John, I just got off the phone with Bob Richmond and he says to tell everyone that he appreciates the kind thoughts and prayers. He is still doing the chemo treatments with his doctor making some adjustments as needed. I told him that we missed him at the June 3 Ceremony and that we were thinking of him. He appreciates the phone calls. Lest We Forget, Pete John, After this number of years most of what I remember is like a dream. Just wondering, were you on watch in the engine room during the collision? Bob Berweger Response Bob, I was a radarman on board from 62 to 64. My buddy from that time was Gary Hodgson, who was lost that night. Joe Mulitsch, Bob Lockwood, Pete Peters and Chief Macayan were in the forward engine room that night. Ahoy, Captain John Stevenson, Kerry, Brian (your spouses) and Jo's sand Skipper's grandchildren. The messenger of the watch, Phil Whitton has informed our ships company, USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754), the loss of Captain John Stevenson s wife. We have developed a keen association with the officers and crew of HMAS MELBOURNE as our lives are intertwined. We were aware in the immediate past of the condition of Jo and the fragile expectation of recovery. Our hearts and minds were touched with this development and our prayers were that she would recover. Tis indeed heavy weather off of the port bow. And Heavy seas follow. Our Ships Company join with you in sorrow in your loss of Jo known to you as mom, grandma, and life's companion. We are also aware of the treasure, Captain Stevenson, you and Jo accomplished in Brian and Kerry and your grandchildren. We ask God's blessings on you, your family and nation. We thank you for your service. The Frank E. Evans Association are intertwined with the HMAS Melbourne and will be forever and thus share in this loss. We look for hope in the Southern Cross As a side note, I was in the crew of the Evans that went to Melbourne in 1956 for the Olympic Games. Two weeks of liberty and wonderment. Captain, our captain at the time was John Chase and returning to Brisbane in 1957 aboard USS GEORGE K. McKENZIE. The Evans and the squadron of destroyers and the Cruiser Bremerton were the first ship to dock in Australia since the beginning of WW 11. Yes Admiral Perry led an expedition to Antarctica, but those ships were refueled at sea and no liberty was given. Our ships coming up the Melbourne river were the first televised event at the beginning of the Olympic Games. USS FRANK E. EVANS began a tradition in Melbourne in We are looking forward to strengthening this tradition this September in Dallas. God's Speed to you Captain, your family and the crew of HMAS MELBOURNE. 8 John Coffey H. Nolan Craig

9 Some of you have asked exactly where the front half of our ship lies. Frank Jablonski has published the location in his book showing the designated war zone and location of the collision by the latitude and longitude as: deg., 47.7 min East longitude 08 deg., 59.2 min North latitude Major O'Donnell was listed as MIA while piloting a helicopter on a mission in Cambodia on 24 March His remains were recovered and interned at Arlington National Cemetery on 16 August A gentle hero who gave his life for an undeserving country. Remembrance: If you are able, save them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go. Be not ashamed to say, you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own. And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind. Major Michael Davis O'Donnell 1 January 1970 Dak To, Vietnam 170TH AVN CO, 52ND AVN BN, 17TH AVN GRP, 1 AVN BDE US Army 13 August March 1970 Springfield, IL Panel 12W Line 040 Lest We Forget Navy Term of the Day As the crow flies In a straight line, the shortest route between two points. It was common for 18th and 19th century ships to carry crows on board for use as a last resort when other attempts at navigation failed. When released, a crow will instinctively head to the nearest food supply which would be shore if it is near. Navigators would often time the crow s flight as a means of measuring the distance from ship to shore.

10 Just wanted to let you know that my son Johnnie called me today from his ship somewhere in the Atlantic. He was promoted to Chief! "Hoo-Yah The Chief is required to be a fountain of wisdom, the ambassador of good will, and the authority on personnel relations as well as the technical expert. OUR SERVING VETERANS "Ask the Chief" is a household word in and out of the Navy. For those Sailors selected, being advanced is the result of years of hard work, dedication, and help from those before them. Prior to putting the gold anchors on their uniforms, selectees CHIEF JOHNNIE SMITH must go through an induction process. The next six weeks will be challenging as they dive into the roles and responsibilities of a chief petty officer. By Mike Smith stunned when the Base CO called him with orders to immediately report to the SEAL team commandant at Little Creek Amphib Base. Chief Lehman, the son of Eugene Lehman one of our 74, had requested OSSN Johnnie Smith attend his retirement ceremony where he assumed the watch from the Chief and swore to keep freedoms torch burning. ( Page 166 of The 278 Men of USS FRANK E EVANS ) Johnnie s first ship was USS COLE DDG 67. After the attack in Yemen, he transferred to USS BULKELY (DDG 84) as a plank owner. He is currently a plank owner stationed on the USS GRAVELY (DDG 107), home ported in Norfolk and is scheduled to deploy to the Med in February He is proud to be a Tin Can Sailor! The picture below is Johnnie with his nephew at the commissioning of the USS GRAVELY (DDG 107) in NC. 10 During the induction process, selectees receive physical training, mentoring, and training in the various new responsibilities that they will take on with the gold anchors, followed by a pinning ceremony in September. Johnnie said he is proud to serve in the world s finest Navy and he is absolutely honored to have been selected to join the distinguished ranks of a United States Navy Chief Petty Officer. I would not have this opportunity without the help and encouragement from my God, my family, my friends, and my fellow sailors with whom I've served. Surprisingly some of my best advice was received from the sailors of the old Navy, thanks to USS Frank E Evans Association. The following picture is Diane and I standing proudly with our son. Out of boot camp at the Lakes, Johnnie attended A school at D Neck in Virginia Beach. During his final week he was

11 IN MEMORIAM 11 Joanne (Jo) Stevenson Burradoo, New South Wales Deceased 6/26/12 Joanne Stevenson, passed away peacefully 26 June She was a star of screen and stage, USA and Australia, best selling author and wife of John Philip (Steve) Stevenson, mother of Bryan and Kerry and beloved mother-in-law of Ivy, Grandmother to Henry, James, Georgia and Ethan. Joanne will be sadly missed. Throughout her life she stood by her man in defense of mis-justice stemming from the results of the court of inquiry in 1969 regarding the collision of USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) and HMAS Melbourne. Family and friends attended her Funeral Service on Wednesday 4 July 2012, at St Stephens Anglican Church, Main Street, Mittagong, Australia. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS We offer a special Welcome Aboard to our second watch member Gerald Reilly, son of lost shipmate, Lawrence J. Reilly and grandson of Chief Reilly. If you know of anyone who is interested in joining our association, please have them contact Donna Kraus at or her at krausdf@cox.net. NAME RELATIONSHIP CITY STATE SECOND WATCH Gerald Reilly Lost Relative San Antonio Texas KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR MONTHLY CREDIT CARD STATEMENTS FOR CREDIT CARD SCAMS Check your credit and/or debit card statements closely each month. Consumers nationwide are finding charges for $19.95 or more for credit reports they never ordered. The charges appear to be from Experian, Consumerinfo.com or Creditreport.com. Creditreport.com is part of a family of credit reporting sites belonging to Consumerinfo.com, Inc. an Experian company. Falsely charged consumers contacted Experian at the phone number listed on their debit/credit card statement and learned that their card number was used to purchase a credit report for another person. The false charges likely stemmed from a security breach. If you spot a charge on your statement from Experian, Consumerinfo.com or Creditreport.com, you should: Call the number listed next to the merchant's name on your credit or debit card statements. The representative will ask for your name and debit or credit card number. If your name and the name on the purchased credit report are not the same, a refund will be issued within 7-14 days. The representative may also ask for your social security number for further verification. Immediately contact your debit or credit card issuer to report the misuse and request a new card. Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through their ID Theft Clearinghouse athttp:// id theft. This will allow the FTC to identify patterns associated with the unauthorized transactions and investigate the source of the data breach.

12 12 Their are many ways we can keep in touch with each other, and one of the best, easiest and fastest ways to get to many of your shipmates and friends is through Facebook. You set up and have your own site for your friends and family to visit. The association has its own site: It is being used by many of the members, their families and friends. Through this media we have posted many pictures sent in by various people, and we have welcomed many Australian Sailors to the site. By being on Facebook, you can see everything posted and you can reach so many at one time by posting your comments, stories and pictures. If you are not on Facebook and would like to become a member, see John Coffey at the reunion or contact John at johnjudyc@hotmail.com FORWARDING SERVICE REQUESTED USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) ASSOCIATION, INC BLACKWELL RD. OCEANSIDE, CA LEST WE FORGET: OUR LOST 74 EARNED THEIR PLACE ON THE VIETNAM MEMORIAL WALL