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Title: Maerose J. Evans papers
Date (bulk): 1969-1975
Collection Number: 95049
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
13 manuscript boxes
(5.2 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Correspondence, minutes, reports, financial records, bulletins, newsletters, serial issues, clippings, and photographs relating
to efforts to secure the release of American prisoners of war in Vietnam, efforts to secure information on American servicemen
reported missing in action, and the families of those servicemen.
Creator:
Evans, Maerose J.
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual
or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1995.
[Identification of item], Maerose J. Evans papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Maerose J. Evans, originally from New Jersey, was the wife of Commander James J. Evans, United States Navy. Commander Evans
was a naval aviator whose aircraft was lost during a reconnaissance mission over Laos in 1965. In 1974 he was presumed killed
in action, and in 1977 his remains were positively identified and returned. At the time of his disappearance, the couple was
living in Alameda, California, with their two children, Monica and James.
Maerose Evans was involved with the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia during
its founding and incorporation in 1969 and 1970. She eventually became the Western Regional coordinator, which oversaw chapters
in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, and Hawaii.
She was heavily involved in the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action issue in the United States and gave many speeches and talks
about the inhumane treatment of prisoners and the need for a full accounting of the missing men. Evans even travelled to Laos
in 1972 in an attempt to gain more information about her missing husband. Eventually, she left the position of Regional Coordinator
and the National League of Families over a disagreement about the direction of the organization, and she believed that her
values no longer aligned with those of the League.
In 1984, Evans married George Humphreys, whom she remained with until her death in 1995. She was buried in Arlington National
Cemetery next to her first husband, Commander Evans.
Scope and Content of Collection
Correspondence, minutes, reports, financial records, bulletins, and newsletters from the National League of Families, supporting
committees, and the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action League of Santa Clara County. The majority of the collection is made
up of personal correspondence related to efforts to secure the release of American prisoners of war in Vietnam, efforts to
secure information on American servicemen reported missing in action, and the families of those servicemen. A small amount
of serial issues, clippings, and photographs related to the POW/MIA issue are also included.
Most of the materials focus on the Western Region or California families of servicemen who were prisoners of war or missing
in action. There is also some focus on the issue at a national and international level.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Prisoners of war
Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Prisoners and prisons, North Vietnamese
United States -- Armed Forces
Navy spouses
Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Missing in action
National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia