Bill Thibeault is a guitarist, singer, songwriter, and Vietnam Veteran from Norwich, CT. In 1969 he was stationed aboard the US destroyer USS Frank E. Evans. On June 3, 1969 while on a training exercise with Australian, British, and New Zealand Navy ships, the Evans was escorting the Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne and at around 3:15 am accidentally crossed the bow of the Melbourne. The aircraft carrier slammed into the Evans, sinking the front half of the ship in minutes. The collision resulted in the loss of 74 sailors aboard and is known as the worst naval disaster of the Vietnam War. The names of the lost 74 have been excluded from the Vietnam Wall in Washington because the collision occurred about 100 miles outside the combat zone. The surviving crew members and families of the 74 have been struggling ever since to get the names on the wall. Bill has been a crusader of the cause and has written a new song "Recognition" which honors his lost shipmates.
Bill will be joining his shipmates for the 50th Anniversary of the accident at a Memorial ceremony in Long Beach, CA. He will be working his way across the United States on a solo tour beginning in May, 2019. He will perform at the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum on Wednesday, May 22nd at 9am.
All Veterans are invited to attend free of charge. Any other guest will be required to pay regular admission, members as always are free. Complimentary coffee & rolls for all.