USS Frank E. Evans Act
- Bill Number
- S. 3131
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-06: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-08T17:53:33Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The USS Frank E. Evans Act aims to honor 74 crew members of the USS Frank E. Evans who died on June 3, 1969, by adding their names to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. This recognizes their service and sacrifice during the Vietnam War era, addressing a historical omission in the memorial's inscriptions.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The legislation is titled the "USS Frank E. Evans Act."
- Authorization for Inclusion: The Secretary of Defense must approve and facilitate the addition of the 74 names to the memorial wall within one year of the bill's enactment.
- Consultation Requirement: The Secretary of Defense is required to consult with the Secretary of the Interior (who oversees national parks and memorials), the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (a nonprofit that helped build and maintains the memorial), and other relevant experts. This ensures any changes to name placement or wording account for limited space on the wall.
- Exemption from Regulations: The bill exempts these activities from the Commemorative Works Act (a federal law that sets rules for building and altering memorials on federal land, such as requiring approvals and design reviews). This streamlines the process without needing additional bureaucratic steps.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The bill introduces a specific exemption from the Commemorative Works Act for this addition, allowing quicker implementation without the usual restrictions on modifications to existing memorials.
- It effectively expands the scope of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial by including these sailors' names, who were previously not listed despite dying in a collision with an Australian vessel during a joint military exercise near the Vietnam War theater. This changes how the memorial reflects casualties from that conflict.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Defense takes the lead role in authorizing the change, while the Department of the Interior may assist with physical alterations to the memorial site. This could involve minor logistical costs for engraving and maintenance but avoids broader regulatory hurdles.
- On Citizens: Families and descendants of the 74 crew members gain formal recognition, providing closure and public acknowledgment of their loss. Veterans and the public benefit from a more complete tribute to Vietnam-era sacrifices.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it indirectly honors U.S.-Australia military cooperation during the incident (the collision involved an Australian ship), potentially reinforcing historical alliances without controversy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Families and Survivors: Direct relatives of the USS Frank E. Evans crew members, who have advocated for this inclusion.
- Veterans' Organizations: Groups like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, which will collaborate on implementation.
- Government Entities: Department of Defense and Department of the Interior, responsible for execution.
- Broader Public: Visitors to the memorial and the veteran community, who see an updated historical record.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The exemption from the Commemorative Works Act simplifies amendments to an existing national symbol, setting a precedent for honoring overlooked war casualties without full regulatory oversight. No challenges to constitutional free speech or memorial rights are evident.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority to manage federal memorials and honor military service, without raising separation of powers issues.
- Political: Represents bipartisan support (introduced by Senators Schiff, Cramer, and Schumer) for veterans' issues, potentially boosting morale among military families and signaling congressional commitment to correcting historical records from the Vietnam War era. It avoids partisan debate by focusing on remembrance rather than policy critique.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND], Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-06: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-11-06: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- USS Frank E. Evans Act — issued 2025-11-06 — PDF (2 pages)