The ongoing battle to honor 74 Navy sailors who perished in a 1969 ship collision continues, as families and advocates push for their inclusion on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. Among those sailors was Terry Lee Henderson from Westfield, NY, whose family remains committed to this cause.

Local and National Efforts

The USS Frank E. Evans Association, alongside families like Henderson’s, has been advocating for the recognition of these sailors. The collision occurred during a nighttime training exercise in the South China Sea, involving the USS Frank E. Evans and the Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne. Despite their service in the Vietnam War, the sailors’ names are absent from the memorial due to Pentagon policies that define combat zones.

In Buffalo, New York, a memorial at the Naval and Military Park pays tribute to these sailors, reflecting the broader effort to honor them nationally. Shane Stephenson, curator at the Buffalo Naval Park Museum, highlighted the sailors’ diverse origins, with memorials placed in 28 states.

Challenges and Advocacy

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer has been involved in the efforts, meeting with families and advocating for policy changes. The Pentagon’s current stance is that the sailors were outside the combat zone at the time of the collision, despite their active combat status shortly before the incident.

Bill Thibeault, a surviving sailor from the collision, has been vocal in his advocacy, composing songs and seeking to tell the sailors’ story through film. He draws parallels to the Sullivan brothers, who were honored posthumously after perishing together in World War II.

Continued Legislative Efforts

Despite setbacks, bipartisan measures continue in Congress to revise combat zone policies and include the sailors’ names on the Vietnam Memorial Wall. Advocates like Thibeault emphasize the importance of recognizing the sailors’ sacrifices and ensuring their rightful place in history.

Original reporting: WQAD (Quad Cities) — read the source article.