Elsewhere around the globe, the Navy patrolled the world's oceans as well as conducted humanitarian and cold war missions and exercises. Two US submarines were lost during this period while submerged. Two surveillance vessels were attacked, and a number of 'close encounters' occurred. Although many people think of the cold war as an actionless pushover, it was still dangerous. Accidents took the lives of many officers and sailors, such as the tragedy of the Newport News in 1972, and the sinking of the USS Frank E. Evans in 1969. Simply put, the men and women who served the Navy are often unsung, but they were willing to fight had the cold war turned hot (thankfully it did not).