USS Frank E. Evans Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
- Committees
- Energy and Natural Resources Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 21, 2026
Bottom line
This bill mandates the addition of 74 names from the USS Frank E. Evans incident to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, streamlining the process by exempting it from standard commemorative works regulations.
What it actually does
This bill directs the Secretary of Defense to authorize the inclusion of the names of the 74 crew members of the USS Frank E. Evans who were killed on June 3, 1969, on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. It mandates consultation with relevant authorities regarding the placement of these names and explicitly exempts these actions from the requirements of the Commemorative Works Act.
Section 2(a)
Inclusion of USS Frank E. Evans Crew Members' Names
This section mandates that within one year of the bill's enactment, the Secretary of Defense must authorize the addition of the names of the 74 crew members who died aboard the USS Frank E. Evans on June 3, 1969, to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. This provision directly addresses a long-standing issue regarding the eligibility of these names for inclusion, providing formal recognition for those lost in the incident.
Section 2(b)
Required Consultation for Placement
This subsection requires the Secretary of Defense to consult with the Secretary of the Interior, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, and other relevant authorities. The purpose of this consultation is to determine the appropriate nomenclature and placement of the additional names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, specifically addressing any potential space limitations or logistical challenges that may arise from adding 74 names.
Section 2(c)
Nonapplicability of Commemorative Works Act
This section explicitly states that Chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code (commonly known as the 'Commemorative Works Act'), shall not apply to any activities carried out under subsections (a) or (b) of this bill. This exemption streamlines the process for adding the names by bypassing the standard regulatory procedures and approvals typically required for new commemorative works or significant alterations to existing ones, thereby expediting the recognition.
Exempts the activities of adding names to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall under this Act from the requirements of the Commemorative Works Act (Chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code).
Section 2(c)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to ensure a specific action can proceed without being bogged down by existing general statutes that might otherwise apply. It's not necessarily evasive but ensures efficiency for this particular, narrow purpose.
Case for: Supporters would argue this exemption is necessary to expedite the long-overdue recognition for the USS Frank E. Evans crew members, preventing bureaucratic delays that could arise from the standard commemorative works approval process, which is designed for new memorials, not additions to existing ones.
Case against: Critics, if any, might contend that bypassing established procedures, even for a seemingly worthy cause, could set a precedent for future exemptions or reduce oversight on changes to national memorials. However, for this specific, narrow purpose, such criticism is unlikely to be significant.
Estimated impact: This provision primarily has a procedural impact, significantly shortening the timeline and reducing administrative hurdles for the inclusion of the names on the memorial.