Register of the Maerose J. Evans papers
Finding aid prepared by Amanda Mellinger
Hoover Institution Library and Archives
© 2008, 2015
434 Galvez Mall
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003
hoover-library-archives@stanford.edu
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
Access
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.
Use
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquisition Information
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1995.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Maerose J. Evans papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Biographical Note
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
Correspondence
1965-1989
Scope and Contents note
Correspondence between Maerose Evans and various others, organized alphabetically by organization or correspondent's last
name. When possible, the original order of the creator was maintained.
box 1, folder 5
Change of Command invitations,
1965-1973
box 1, folder 6
Christmas cards
1967-1972
box 1, folder 9
Correspondence from bracelet wearers
1972-1976
Scope and Contents note
POW/MIA bracelets were first created in May 1970 by the group Voices in Vital America (VIVA). They sold for $2.50 or $3.00
and were engraved with the rank, name, and loss date of an American serviceman who was captured or went missing during the
Vietnam War.
box 2, folder 5
Families for Immediate Release,
1972
box 2, folder 7
Goldsmith, John A.
1976-1978
box 2, folder 8-9
Gratch, Archie William,
1972-1979
box 3, folder 3
Ketchum, William M.,
1974
box 3, folder 5
Lawson, Richard L.
1974-1975
box 3, folder 8
McCloskey, Paul
1976-1978
box 3, folder 9
Miscellaneous
1972-1974
Scope and Contents
Correspondence that was written and sent to people other than the creator and not related to any of the organizations represented
in the collection.
box 3, folder 11
United States Department of the Navy
1968-1973
box 3, folder 14
Percy, Charles H.
1973-1975
box 4, folder 5
Scott, James H.
1971-1974
box 4, folder 7
Sieverts, Frank
1973-1975
box 4, folder 10
Stratton, Richard A.
1974-1979
box 4, folder 12
Tenoso, Ed and Kathy
1972
box 4, folder 16
Williams, Jerry A.
1972-1974
box 4, folder 19
Zacharies, J. M.
1972-1975
National League of Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Families File
1969-1976
Scope and Contents note
Contains correspondence, meeting minutes, mailings and promotional material, printed matter, and organizational documents
for the National League of Families of Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (NLF) during its founding and early years. There
is more emphasis on the Western Region and California state chapter than any other part of the organization.
The NLF is an organization that was formed in the late 1960s and formally incorporated in 1970. Membership was for family
or close relatives of military personnel that were listed as a prisoner of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA). The organization
was headed by a National Board of Directors and divided into four regions, each headed by a Regional Coordinator. Each state
within the region elected a State Coordinator that worked with the Regional Coordinator and Board of Directors to raise awareness
about the POW/MIA issue in America.
The NLF believed that the American government was too complacent in its negotiations for the humane treatment and release
of POWs during the Vietnam War. Indochinese countries were accused of violating the Geneva Convention by not issuing a complete
list of POWs captured, not providing adequate food or medical treatment, refusing to allow the Red Cross to inspect POW camps,
and not allowing mail to reach POWs. The NLF was organized to raise awareness of these issues and pressure both the American
government and foreign governments to account for the missing men.
Correspondence
1970-1974
Scope and Contents note
Correspondence related to the functions of the National League of Families (NLF). Letters sent and received are between or
on behalf of members of the governing board of NLF. Coordinator and Regional letters are between the numerous State and Region
Coordinators.
box 5, folder 1
Regional letters
1971-1973
box 5, folder 3
Letters received
1971-1974
box 5, folder 4
Coordinator letters
1970-1974
box 5, folder 6
Western Coordinator expenses
1971-1974
box 5, folder 7
Member mailings
1970-1974
box 5, folder 8
National conventions
1971-1973
box 5, folder 9
Special reports and league mailings
1969-1974
Board meetings file
1971-1974
Scope and Contents
Meeting minutes, agendas, and special reports prepared for the Board of Directors meetings of the National League of Families.
box 6, folder 12
Promotional material
1970-1975
box 6, folder 13
House of Representatives Bill 16520
1974
box 6, folder 14
Support Our Prisoners of War campaign
1974-1976
State folders file
1971-1975
Scope and Contents
Materials related to the various state chapters of the National League of Families.
box 7, folder 1
Northern California
1970-1974
box 7, folder 2
Southern California
1971-1974
box 7, folder 17
Printed matter
1971-1974
Scope and Contents note
Informational brochures and pamphlets of Freedom Tree dedications and luncheons.
Committees File
1972-1974
Scope and Contents note
Contains materials from different committees and groups that were involved with the POW/MIA issue and with the National League
of Families.
box 7, folder 18
Forgotten Americans Committee of Kansas
1972-1974
box 7, folder 19
Forgotten Americans Committee
1972-1973
box 8, folder 1-2
Voices in Vital America
1972-1974
box 8, folder 3
Freedom Tree Dedication
1972-1974
box 8, folder 4
Concern for Prisoners of War
1972
box 8, folder 5
Repatriation, Rehabilitation, and Readjustment Committee
1972
box 8, folder 6
Northern California Peace Action Coalition
1972-1973
box 8, folder 7
Committee of Liaison with Families of Servicemen Detained in North Vietnam
1973
box 8, folder 8
Remember the Pueblo Committee
1973
box 8, folder 11
Help Hospitalized Veterans
1973
Prisoners of War/Missing in Action League of Santa Clara File
1970-1975
Scope and Contents note
The Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) League of Santa Clara County is a now defunct organization with similar goals
as the National League of Families. They represented the servicemen of Santa Clara County who were POW/MIA. The organization
sold POW/MIA bracelets, sponsored a letter writing campaign, hosted talks and support groups, and coordinated with the National
League of Families on events. Their two goals were to get all American POWs released and to get a full accounting of all the
MIA servicemen. By the time the organization closed in 1974 they believed only the first goal had been completed.
box 9, folder 4
Board meeting minutes
1971-1974
box 9, folder 7
Presidio Action League
1973
box 9, folder 8
Prisoners of War/Missing in Action International
1972-1973
box 10, folder 1
City proclamations
1970
Scope and Contents note
Official proclamations from various American cities that call for the accounting of missing men and humane treatment of prisoners
of war.
box 10, folder 2
Congress
1969-1975
Scope and Contents
A small number of Congressional publications and reports related to the POW/MIA issue.
box 10, folder 3
Evans, James J.
1965-1977
Scope and Contents
Documents related to Commander James J. Evans, who went missing in action in 1965. Includes a copy of the telegram sent to
his wife informing her of his status.
box 10, folder 3
Laos meeting
1973
Scope and Contents note
Transcript, clippings, and written report on a meeting in Laos with members of the National League of Families and a Laos
official.
box 10, folder 5-6
Military social events
1969-1972
Scope and Contents
Invitations and announcements to lunches and other social events at military bases in Northern California.
box 10, folder 7
Peace movements
1971
Scope and Contents
Materials related to American citizen peace efforts in order to stop the war in Vietnam.
box 10, folder 8-10
Prisoners of War/Missing in Action
1970-1974
Scope and Contents
Materials related to the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action movement in the United States but not directly related to the National
League of Families or the POW/MIA League of Santa Clara County.
box 11, folder 1
United States Department of Defense
1971-1973
Scope and Contents note
Publications and statistic sheets produced by the Department of Defense about American servicemen that were prisoners of war
or missing in action.
Photographs
1966-1972
Scope and Contents note
Photographs of prisoners of war and the conditions they were kept in, a photo contact sheet and altered photo from the
Navy Times, and photographs from Family Day at the Naval Air Station in Alameda, California.
box 11, folder 2
Prisoners of war
1966-1970
Scope and Contents
Photographs include Lieutenant Commander H. A. Stafford, Lieutenant Commander John S. McCain, Lieutenant James J. Connell,
Lieutenant D. G. Rehman, D. B. Hegdahl, Captain M. N. Jones, Lieutenant Robert F. Frishman, and Lieutenant Colonel J. L. Hughes
as prisoners of war. Folder also contains four negatives and two slides.
box 11, folder 3
General
1969
Scope and Contents
Two images of unidentified servicemen, one image of an unidentified group of people, an image with accompanying letter from
an Open House at the California Air Station in 1969, and a photohraph of a political cartoon with accompanying letter from
1974.
box 11, folder 5
Family Day
undated
Scope and Contents
Six photographs from a Family day at the Naval Air Station in Alameda, California. The photographs are undated but most likely
between the years of 1968 and 1977.
Printed Matter
1965-1994
Scope and Contents note
The bulk of the series is comprised of pamphlets related to the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action issue and the conflict in
Southeast Asia from 1960 through 1975. Additionally, there are a few periodicals and unpublished fact sheets.
Clippings
1969-1994
Scope and Contents note
Contains newspaper clippings collected by the creator. Original folder titles have been retained when possible, and loose
clippings were put into a general folder. Arranged alphabetically following the general folder.
box 12, folder 8
Missing in action
1973-1982
box 12, folder 9-10
Prisoners of war
1971-1982
box 12, folder 11
United States and Nixon
1972-1981
box 13, folder 3
Wives and families
1972-1981
box 13, folder 4
Air Force and Space Digest
1969-1970
box 13, folder 5
Cal-Vet Newsletter
1972-1973
box 13, folder 6
Newsweek
1973 February 26
box 13, folder 7
In Brief for the P.O.W.: A Catch-Up on News from Missing Years
1965-1972
box 13, folder 8
Commanders Digest
1972-1974
box 13, folder 11
The Oak Leaf
1973 February 23
box 13, folder 12
Medical Service Digest
1973 November
box 13, folder 13
Missing in Action, Prisoner of War: A Primer
1971
box 13, folder 14
Hanoi, Release the Prisoners
1971-1972
box 13, folder 15
Aerospace Speech Series: Prisoner of War/Missing in Action
1971 September
box 13, folder 16
Snapshots of Life of Captured United States Pilots in the Detention Camps of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam
1969-1974
box 13, folder 17
Prisoner of War/Missing in Action fact sheets
1970-1972
box 13, folder 18
Department of Defense Information Pamphlet for Families of United States Servicemen Who Are Prisoners of War or Are Missing
in Action in Southeast Asia
1972 September 22
box 13, folder 19
Miscellaneous
1969-1973
Scope and Contents note
Four pamphlets not related to POWs or MIAs. The titles include the
Fremont Rotary Opinion from 17 January 1973,
If You Want Air Time: A Handbook for Publicity Chairmen,
Alameda Meals-On-Wheels, and
How to Display and Respect the Flag of the United States.
box 13, folder 20
Gist: A Quick Reference Aid on United States Foreign Relations Primarily for Government Use
1971 September
box 13, folder 21
Citizens Prisoner of War and Missing in Action Assistance Program
1970 March
box 13, folder 22
In the Name of Humanity...Write On!
1971 March
box 13, folder 23
Birth of a Cause: Colorado Springs and the American Prisoner of War
1970-1973
box 13, folder 24
Ten Myths About Vietnam
1969 December
box 13, folder 25
Legislative Guide for the Military
1971 January
box 13, folder 26
National Guard Association of the United States: 24th Annual Conference
1972 September