Update (8/2026): We are continuing our efforts to add the Lost 74 to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Recently US Senator Adam Schiff testified before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks on our behalf: https://f.io/ql8rbzJV. We have also answered questions from the Senate Armed Services Committee staff in response to Senators Kevin Cramer and Schiff’s bipartisan efforts to include an amendment for the Lost 74 in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Senator Schiff also met with Senator Reed, who in the past opposed our efforts in the Senate, and now has agreed to stay neutral. We are also continuing to follow-up with the Navy for action out of our meeting the Acting-Assistant Secretary. Please keep sharing our story with your representatives in Congress. Please see below for an overview of our efforts.
Overview of Efforts to remember the Lost 74
We are continuing our efforts to remember the Lost 74 on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, and appreciate all of your efforts. Here’s our current approaches:
· NDAA: Senators Cramer and Schiff are continuing bipartisan efforts to amend this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which is a must-pass bill to fund our country’s military. If our amendment survives the legislative process to the President’s desk for signing, we will have reached the finish line.
· Navy: In parallel, we are looking to gain the Navy’s support to our efforts. Steve Kraus, Tim Wendler, and David Grannis from Senator Schiff’s office met with then Acting-Assistant Secretary of the Navy Duncan last September, and this has led to a connection with Navy Chief of Staff Mahan. Past Navy Secretary Mabus supported our efforts, and by reengaging and gaining their support again, we might achieve an administrative solution (i.e., refining the criteria for being on the Wall), and at least would have a lot better chance to pass the NDAA amendment.
· Stand-alone Legislation: Many of you have reached out to your Congressmembers asking to support bipartisan legislation that has been introduced to add the Lost 74 to the Wall: SB3131 USS Frank E. Evans Act (introduced in the Senate by Senators Cramer, Schiff, Schumer) and HR5945 (introduced in the House by Congressmembers Chu and Flood). Please keep up your efforts (instructions at https://www.ussfee.org/project-74/). Not only would it achieve our goal if this legislation was passed, it keeps the pressure on the Navy and makes the NDAA path easier.
· Executive Order: It is challenging to gain any President’s attention to sign an executive order, but this would be the quickest route if we could achieve it. We have sent letters and approached through intermediaries, but have yet to achieve any traction with this route. Recently, we have requested that Senator Cramer take the lead on this initiative.
We will keep at this!
Lest we forget,
-Tim Wendler
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