Scope and Contents

Military payment certificates and Singapore currency, a U.S. Navy belt buckle, a Western Union telegram, a photocopy of naval orders, and newspaper and newspaper clippings document Richard Burke's tour of duty aboard the USS Frank E. Evans and the Evans' subsequent collision with the Australian aircraft carrier Melbourne . The newspapers include a run from Pacific Stars and Stripes, June 4-8, 1969 purchased by Burke in the Philippines. There are also newspapers from the United States from June 1969 and May 27, 2001. All of the newspapers chronicle the Frank E. Evans ' collision. The Western Union telegram was sent by Burke to his parents on June 8, 1969 stating that he was safe following the collision.

Biographical / Historical

Richard Burke was aboard the USS Frank E. Evans when she was hit by the HMAS Melbourne on June 3, 1969.