The Honorable Rob Simmons gave a telling account of the 74 navy men who died on the destroyer U.S.S. Frank E. Evans in his Extension of Remarks on June 20, 2003.

His story began:

"For those who are not familiar with this story, in the spring of 1969, the destroyer Evans sailed from the Port of Long Beach, CA to Vietnam. After experiencing fierce combat off the coast of vietnam, the Evans was sent to a brief training exercise called 'Operation Sea Spirit' with over 40 ships of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization. On the morning of June 3, 1969, the crew of the Evans awoke to the sounds of its hull splitting in half. Inexplicably, the Australian carrier, Melbourne, had rammed the American destroyer Evans. The forward half of the ship sank within three minutes, taking 74 sailors with it. Although they were in the South China Sea, these lost sailors have been excluded from the wall because their sunk vessel was just outside the designated combat zone that determines inclusion on the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Wall.

Although these men did not die in direct combat, they were instrumental in forwarding the American objectives in Vietnam and participated in conflict just days before the collision that claimed their lives. In reviewing the historical and personal records of the Evans, I see a story of valor and patriotism, and, for 74 sailors, the ultimate sacrifice for their country."