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Evans, Ernest Edwin "Chief"

Date of birth:
August 13th, 1908 (Pawnee/Oklahoma, United States)
Date of death:
October 26th, 1944 (off the coast of Samar, Philippines)
Mentioned on:
American Cemetery and Memorial Manila
Nationality:
American

Biography

Ernest E. Evans was of Native American ancestry (half Cherokee and one quarter Creek). During World War II, he commanded the destroyer USS Alden (DD-211), and later became the only skipper of the Fletcher-class destroyer USS Johnston (DD-557).
The USS Johnston (DD-557) sank during the Battle of Samur in the Gulf of Leyte on October 25th, 1944. Commanding Officer of the USS Johnston, Lieutenant Commander Ernest E. Evans who was seriously wounded in the battle got off the the destroyer before she sank, but was never heard of again.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Commander
Unit:
U.S.S. Johnston (DD-557), U.S. Navy
For meritorious achievement in action against a Japanese submarine on 16 May 1944.

Citation unavailable.
Bronze Star  Medal (BSM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Commander
Unit:
U.S.S. Johnston (DD-557), Task Unit 77.4.3 (Taffy III), U.S. Navy
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the USS 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. Commander 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, Commander 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."

Date of citation unknown.
Medal of Honor - Navy/Marine Corps (MoH)

Sources

  • Photo: Home of Heroes
  • - Jordan, Kenneth N., Yesterday’s Heroes – 433 men of World War II awarded the Medal of Honor 1941-1945, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., USA, 1996
    - Breuer, W.B., Retaking the Philippines - America's Return to Corregidor and Bataan: October 1944-March 1945, St. Martin’s Press, New York, U.S.A., 1986
    - American Battle Monuments Commission
    - The Battle Off Samar