This online news website is owned and operated by Becky Watts. If you enjoy reading Pike County Times, consider buying an advertisement for your business or sending a donation to support the only free online newspaper in Pike County. Donations can be sent to: The Pike County Times, PO Box 843, Zebulon, Georgia 30295. Click here to donate through PayPal. Thanks for supporting Pike County's only free online newspaper!
By Editor Becky Watts
ZEBULON - On the morning of June 3, 1969, the American Destroyer USS FRANK E. EVANS was participating in the "Operation Sea Spirit" activities with more than 40 other ships in the waters of the South China Sea. The Australian carrier HMAS MELBOURNE and the FRANK E. EVANS collided during those early morning hours. Seventy-four men lost their lives that day as the American destroyer was cut in two and the bow section of the boat sank beneath the waves in the span of just three minutes. One of those sailors was Chief Boatswains Mate Willie "Shorty" Lee King of Meansville, Georgia. (History from www.ussfee.org/History.html)
On the afternoon on June 3, 2014, a dedication was held in Meansville for a monument to honor one of Meansville's own. American Legion Pike Post 197 conducted the monument ceremony for Chief Boatswains Mate King from the posting of the colors to the unveiling of the monument for the King family. Around one hundred family members, relatives, friends, and members of the public attended this memorial service in the Meansville Memorial Garden.
Family friend and American Legion Pike Post 197 member Roy Hughley said that he hopes that this is a closure for the King family. He gave a prayer for closure for this family and for our troops overseas as well.
John Coffey, Communications, USS Frank E Evans DD754 Association, read Chief Boatswains Mate King's resume aloud. He noted that Chief Boatswains Mate King had said that if anything happened to him, he would be dying for his country and doing what he wanted to do. Coffey wasn't there on the ship with Chief Boatswains Mate King, but these are some of the things that were said: He knew his stuff, he made Boatswains Mate in thirteen years, he always had a smile on his face, he was a good teacher, he was a true warrior in the highest traditions of the Navy, and he was a loving husband and father.
Two of the survivors attended the memorial ceremony. Joe Sissel told several stories of heroism from that fateful night. To read more about the accident that killed Chief Boatswains Mate Willie "Shorty" Lee King and seventy three others in 1969, click here.
Pike Post 197 Commander Billy Payton, Sr. gave a welcome home to our Vietnam Vets and told the audience to remember those who have given their lives for our freedom. "We pay tribute to a man who greatly deserves it," he said. Payton thanked those who have served for their service prior to the unveiling of the memorial before King's family. To read more about the USS Frank E Evans, go to www.ussfrankeevansassociationdd754.org/the74.html.
Korean War Veteran Graham Bell and his son David Bell, who is a Lebanon Crisis veteran, attended the event. Clint Harper, both son and grandson to these veterans, is also a Navy veteran who served during the Persian Gulf War.
Left: Randy Martin, Jr. and Robert E. Adams, Jr. are pictured with Rufus Durrah from Barnesville who is 102 years old. He will be 103 in August!
Picture right and all pictures below are courtesy of Teri Totten.
