Vietnam
-
Fallen
Grand Forks
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.
Died along with Fellow ND Sailor PO3 Patrick G. Glennon
DPAA: Not listed. Not actively searching. Remains considered unrecoverable.
Biography:
Source: USSFEE.org
Born: 22 May 1948, Grand Forks ND to parents James & Arlete Searle. Graduated Great Falls High School and enlisted in Navy from Great Falls MT. Attended Bootcamp at NTC San Diego and served as a Boiler Tender FN. Married to Thema Ruth Jones had 2 children Terry and Jerry (Twins).
Robert enlisted in the Navy Reserves in 1967, graduated from boot camp, then Basic Propulsion & Engineering “A” School. He reported on board USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754) 11 May 1968. On 30 Dec 1968, he married Thelma and they lived in Torrance, CA. BTFN Searle was on watch in the Forward Fire Room with three other men when the collision occurred; there were no survivors. His twin boys were four months old.