Patrick G. Glennon

Patrick Glennon

Vietnam
-
Fallen

County:
Wells

Date of Loss:

Recovered:
Remains not recovered

Branch of Service:
Navy

Rank:
Boatswain's Mate Third Class

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent:
USS Frank E Evans

Listed on/in the:
All Veterans Memorial, State Capitol, Bismarck, ND
Register of North Dakota Veterans Vietnam Conflict 1964-1973, published 1981
Other

Major Battle/Theatre:
South China Sea Tet Offensive

Circumstances:

Reported Dead in South China Sea.

In the early morning hours of June 3, 1969, the Australian aircraft carrier Melbourne collided with the American destroyer Frank E. Evans (DD-754) during a training exercise in the South China Sea, splitting the ship in half and causing the drowning deaths of 74 American sailors.

“While the incident occurred approximately 100 miles outside of the official combat zone, the ship and a majority of the deceased sailors had previously provided naval gunfire off the coast of Vietnam, including during the Tet Offensive.”

“74 U.S. Navy Sailors, including two Granite Staters, who conducted and supported operations during the Vietnam War gave their lives in service to our nation, but their valor goes unrecognized on the Vietnam Memorial because of an invisible line on a map – that’s unacceptable," Shaheen’s office said in a statement to Military Times.

Biography:

From ND Vietnam Veterans Book

  • Born Philadelphia, PA on 22 August 1945; Resident Wells County ND. 
  • Entered US Navy in Fargo ND on 10 May 1966.
  • Served Vietnam. Reported Dead South China Sea, 2 June 1969 BM3 55131

Name NOT included on Vietnam Veteran Memorial wall in Washington DC as the USS Frank E Evans was outside the combat zone conducting training exercises. Had previously served in the Vietnam combat zone.

Efforts are underway to have the 74 members killed in collision added to the wall. referred to as the "Lost 74".

2023: ND legislative assembly approved naming bridge on state highway 30 as the "Petty Officer Third Class Patrick G. Glennon Vietnam Bridge" HB 1352

Petty Officer Third Class Patrick G. Glennon Vietnam Bridge.

Sign dedication ceremony held: 9/30/2023.

Facebook for Lost 74

Patrick was born in Philadelphia. His family moved to Fessenden, North Dakota when he was young. He joined the Navy 10 May 1966. After boot camp he was assigned to USS GRIDLEY (DLG 21) where he was a Boatswain Mate striker. He remained there until 10 Sep 1968. He was received for duty on board USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) 3 Oct 1968. He was promoted to BM3 on April 16, 1969. BM3 Glennon was asleep in 1st Division at the time of the collision.