Ernest E. Evans

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LCdr. Ernest E. Evans at the commissioning ceremonies of USS Johnston (DD-557), Seattle, Washington, 27 October 1943

Ernest Edwin Evans (13 August 1908 – 25 October 1944) was an officer of the United States Navy during World War II, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

A full-blooded Cherokee Indian, Evans was born in Pawnee, Oklahoma. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1931. During World War II, he commanded the destroyer Alden (DD-211), and later became the first and only skipper of the Fletcher-class destroyer Johnston (DD-557). Commanding Johnston, he was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in action against a Japanese submarine on 16 May 1944.

In the Battle off Samar, a part of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Evans fought his ship gallantly until it was sunk, 25 October 1944, by the Japanese force superior in number, firepower, and armor. Johnston, together with the destroyers Hoel (DD-533) and Heermann (DD-532), four destroyer escorts and six escort carriers (CVEs) formed the task unit 77.4.3, known as Taffy 3. This group, together with planes from Taffy 2 (TU 77.4.2), ultimately forced a vastly superior Japanese battlegroup comprised of several battleships, heavy cruisers, light cruisers and destroyers to abort their original mission to attack the landing beaches at Leyte under the command of General Douglas MacArthur and retreat.

What fate befell the Johnston's legendary captain was never conclusively established, and remains the subject of continuing conjecture among the ship's survivors. Some claim that he was hit by Japanese naval shellfire; others that he was able to jump into a damaged motor whaleboat. What is known is that he was seriously wounded during the battle; that he lived long enough to give the abandon ship order; and that he was not among those rescued. Commander Evans was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his material contribution to the decisive victory won in Leyte Gulf and shared in the Presidential Unit Citation awarded his group for this action in which he gave his life.

In 1955, the destroyer escort USS Evans (DE-1023) was named in his honor.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Johnston in action against major units of the enemy Japanese fleet during the battle off Samar on 25 October 1944. The first to lay a smokescreen and to open fire as an enemy task force, vastly superior in number, firepower and armor, rapidly approached. Comdr. Evans gallantly diverted the powerful blasts of hostile guns from the lightly armed and armored carriers under his protection, launching the first torpedo attack when the Johnston came under straddling Japanese shellfire. Undaunted by damage sustained under the terrific volume of fire, he unhesitatingly joined others of his group to provide fire support during subsequent torpedo attacks against the Japanese and, outshooting and outmaneuvering the enemy as he consistently interposed his vessel between the hostile fleet units and our carriers despite the crippling loss of engine power and communications with steering aft, shifted command to the fantail, shouted steering orders through an open hatch to men turning the rudder by hand and battled furiously until the Johnston, burning and shuddering from a mortal blow, lay dead in the water after 3 hours of fierce combat. Seriously wounded early in the engagement, Comdr. Evans, by his indomitable courage and brilliant professional skill, aided materially in turning back the enemy during a critical phase of the action. His valiant fighting spirit throughout this historic battle will venture as an inspiration to all who served with him.

[edit] See also

• USS Johnston (DD-557)

[edit] References

• James D. Hornfischer The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors Bantam Books, 2004. ISBN 0-553-80257-7

[edit] External links

• history.navy.mil: USS Evans