397:
135:
1231:, "The crew were informed over the loudspeaker system at the beginning of the action, of the Commanding Officer's estimate of the situation, that is, a fight against overwhelming odds from which survival could not be expected, during which time we would do what damage we could. In the face of this knowledge, the men zealously manned their stations wherever they might be, and fought and worked with such calmness, courage, and efficiency that no higher honor could be conceived than to command such a group of men." USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413), "Combined Action Report, Surface Engagement off Samar, Philippine Islands, and Report of Loss of USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413), on 25 October 1944," November 20, 1944, Serial X001, page 14.
797:
856:
822:
865:
831:
774:
806:
536:
to make a torpedo attack. Some claim that Evans told his crew over the ship's intercom: "A large
Japanese fleet has been contacted. They are fifteen miles away and headed in our direction. They are believed to have four battleships, eight cruisers, and a number of destroyers. This will be a fight against overwhelming odds from which survival cannot be expected. We will do what damage we can." However, contemporaneous sources credit the latter part of this dramatic announcement to lieutenant commander
783:
843:
790:
875:
850:
816:
1009:
25:
881:
1031:, 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.
1359:
1044:
1021:
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
535:
When the
Japanese fleet was first sighted, Evans did not hesitate. After laying a smoke screen to help hide the escort carriers from enemy gunfire, he ordered his helm hard to port and he led his destroyer out of the task unit's circular antiaircraft disposition in favor of charging the enemy alone
1027:
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
1026:
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
433:
at her commissioning on
October 27, 1943, declaring to the assembled crew, "this is going to be a fighting ship. I intend to go in harm's way, and anyone who doesn't want to go along had better get off right now". He was awarded the
669:
s captain was never conclusively established, and remains the subject of continuing conjecture among the ship's survivors. Some say that he was hit by
Japanese naval shellfire; others that he was able to jump into a damaged motor
1171:
1131:
396:
590:
secondary battery hit the bridge, which blew off two of Evan's fingers and his entire shirt. Despite severe injuries, Evans refused pain killers, instead directing all medical attention to
1163:
674:. What is known is that he was seriously wounded during the battle; that he lived long enough to give the order to abandon ship; and that he was not among those rescued. Evans was
560:, hitting the heavy cruiser with at least 45 5-inch (127 mm) shells, before Evans ordered the torpedo battery to be launched. At least one, but more likely two or three hit
1546:
1511:
1551:
1536:
1526:
500:
77.4.3, known as Taffy 3. This group, together with planes from Taffy 2 (TU 77.4.2), ultimately forced a
Japanese battlegroup consisting of 4
1202:
1057:
1340:
1506:
1246:
1496:
1531:
1369:
1276:
1017:
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.
978:
911:
1501:
579:
was suddenly blasted almost simultaneously by three 18.1-inch (46 cm) shells and three 6.1-inch (155 mm) shells from the
422:
89:
1516:
1141:
529:
525:
338:
61:
1541:
1281:
1022:
hostile guns from the lightly armed and armored carriers under his protection, launching the first torpedo attack when the
1481:
751:
353:
and graduated from
Muskogee Central High School. After one year of enlisted service in the Navy, he was appointed to the
1271:
1285:
1198:
1167:
649:
68:
1408:
1389:
1308:"Designate a future Arleigh-Burke class destroyer to be named USS Evans for Medal of Honor recipient Ernest E. Evans"
1114:
575:
to escort the crippled warship. However, celebration was cut short as Evans and his staff were severely injured when
468:
until it was sunk on
October 25, 1944, by a Japanese force that was vastly superior in number, firepower, and armor.
108:
134:
42:
687:
627:
75:
1194:
1224:
951:
923:
634:
569:
541:
46:
1491:
758:
57:
1521:
983:
354:
298:
796:
609:
580:
1325:
Edward A. Sherman
Publishing Co. (June 7, 2013). "SWOS simulator renamed after heroic destroyerman".
842:
1080:
439:
409:
944:
709:
was named in Evans' honor. It was decommissioned in 1968, and no active ship carries the name of
602:
554:
493:
35:
874:
849:
815:
757:
announced another ship would be named after Evans. The ship, to be known as DDG-141, will be an
675:
314:
729:
725:
416:
251:
82:
1486:
1476:
1307:
683:
461:
1008:
8:
918:
702:
426:
1133:
History of United States Naval Operations in World War II: Leyte, June 1944-January 1945
855:
821:
721:
and her crew. On November 12, 2013, a petition was started to name a ship after Evans.
537:
310:
216:
1404:
1385:
1341:"SECNAV Names Ship After World War II Hero, Medal of Honor Recipient Ernest E. Evans"
1137:
1110:
901:
521:
477:
435:
390:
864:
357:, entering as a Midshipman on June 29, 1927. He graduated from the academy in 1931.
1049:
699:
489:
457:
451:
350:
322:
274:
270:
197:
remains not recovered; listed on the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery
165:
586:
at a distance of 20,300 yards. In particular, a 6.1-inch (155 mm) shell from
830:
754:
733:
616:
894:
679:
381:
on March 14, 1942, and held that position until July 7, 1943. While serving on
318:
290:
1444:
1470:
1365:
1105:
National Museum of the American Indian; Haaland, Debra A. (October 3, 2023).
1104:
805:
509:
505:
1401:
Sea of Thunder: Four Commanders and the Last Great Naval Campaign, 1941–1945
1452:
906:
782:
740:
483:
374:
346:
326:
264:
370:
294:
186:
773:
501:
497:
386:
789:
928:
736:
671:
513:
364:
361:
244:
234:
408:
In mid-1943, Evans was ordered to duty in charge of fitting out the
24:
655:
closed to point blank range, not for an attack, but to salute both
342:
1324:
1107:
Why We Serve: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces
516:
to abort its original mission to attack the landing beaches at
880:
682:
for his material contribution to the decisive victory won in
517:
182:
1075:
1073:
546:, who charged in with Evans on a subsequent torpedo attack.
377:
on December 7 of that year. He became commanding officer of
309:(August 13, 1908 – October 25, 1944) was an officer of the
690:
awarded his group for this action in which he was killed.
1070:
400:
Evans at the commissioning ceremony of the destroyer USS
385:, he participated in operations in and around Australia,
717:, although a number of active ships have been named for
1311:
1192:
1161:
1425:
Lost Evidence of the Pacific: The Battle of Leyte Gulf
1164:"Ernest Edwin Evans, 13 August 1908 – 25 October 1944"
524:, and retreat. The famous battle has become known as "
1300:
1039:
1547:
United States Navy personnel killed in World War II
49:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
1058:List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II
644:dead in the water and without a functioning gun.
633:, but was engaged by a destroyer line led by the
1512:Native American United States military personnel
1468:
1552:World War II recipients of the Medal of Honor
1136:. University of Illinois Press. p. 255.
360:On August 9, 1941, Evans was assigned to the
1537:United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients
1527:Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)
1186:
1157:
1155:
1153:
1379:
1370:Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
1277:Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
438:for meritorious achievement in sinking the
16:United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient
1193:Navy Department Library (March 31, 2021).
1003:
133:
1150:
109:Learn how and when to remove this message
1449:Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients
1364:This article incorporates text from the
1085:U.S. Naval Academy Virtual Memorial Hall
597:Evans ordered the crippled but not sunk
395:
1507:Missing person cases in the Philippines
1433:. History Channel. TV. No writer given.
1427:. History Channel. TV. No writer given.
1162:Navy Department Library (May 6, 2020).
1129:
423:Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation
1469:
1398:
1431:Dogfights: Death of the Japanese Navy
1418:
1382:The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors
601:to continue on, briefly engaging the
526:The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors
429:. Commander Evans assumed command of
1497:Captains who went down with the ship
1264:
1241:
1239:
1237:
732:, Surface Warfare Officers School's
47:adding citations to reliable sources
18:
1205:from the original on April 19, 2021
1174:from the original on April 19, 2021
564:bow, blowing it clean off, forcing
553:successfully attacked the Japanese
445:
13:
1532:United States Naval Academy alumni
1286:Naval History and Heritage Command
1223:According to the action report of
1199:Naval History and Heritage Command
1195:"Notable Ships: Johnston (DD-557)"
1168:Naval History and Heritage Command
1007:
14:
1563:
1437:
1234:
1502:Military personnel from Oklahoma
1357:
1042:
879:
873:
863:
854:
848:
841:
829:
820:
814:
804:
795:
788:
781:
772:
659:and the crew for their bravery.
568:out of the battle alongside the
369:, and was serving on her in the
23:
1333:
1318:
472:, together with the destroyers
34:needs additional citations for
1380:Hornfischer, James D. (2004).
1217:
1130:Morison, Samuel Eliot (2001).
1123:
1098:
952:Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
924:American Defense Service Medal
745:Evans Full Mission-2 Simulator
743:training was dedicated as the
1:
1351:
1166:. Modern Biographical Files.
759:Arleigh Burke-class destroyer
520:under the command of General
1517:People from Pawnee, Oklahoma
1109:. Smithsonian. p. 132.
332:
7:
1542:United States Navy officers
1081:"Ernest E. Evans, CDR, USN"
1035:
984:Philippine Liberation Medal
693:
373:when the Japanese attacked
355:United States Naval Academy
321:for his actions during the
299:Philippine Liberation Medal
10:
1568:
1482:1940s missing person cases
979:World War II Victory Medal
912:Presidential Unit Citation
752:U.S. Secretary of the Navy
688:Presidential Unit Citation
449:
893:
771:
764:
286:
260:
240:
230:
222:
210:
202:
192:
171:
152:
144:
132:
125:
1403:. Simon & Schuster.
1063:
440:Japanese submarine I-176
1004:Medal of Honor citation
945:American Campaign Medal
648:sank at 10:11, and the
1033:
1013:
965:" Silver Star and one
405:
1399:Thomas, Evan (2006).
1314:on November 12, 2013.
1272:"Evans III (DE-1023)"
1247:"Johnston I (DD-557)"
1015:
1011:
730:Newport, Rhode Island
726:Naval Station Newport
724:On May 23, 2013, the
626:briefly fired on the
399:
223:Years of service
1492:Battle of Leyte Gulf
686:, and shared in the
540:of destroyer escort
462:Battle of Leyte Gulf
43:improve this article
919:China Service Medal
532:of the same title.
427:Seattle, Washington
1522:People lost at sea
1419:Audio/visual media
1014:
750:On Nov. 15, 2023,
640:. Shell fire left
538:Robert W. Copeland
496:(CVEs) formed the
406:
311:United States Navy
307:Ernest Edwin Evans
217:United States Navy
187:Philippine Islands
127:Ernest Edwin Evans
1445:"Ernest E. Evans"
1227:Samuel B. Roberts
1143:978-0-252-07063-1
1001:
1000:
902:Bronze Star Medal
889:
888:
747:in Evans' honor.
719:Samuel B. Roberts
543:Samuel B. Roberts
522:Douglas MacArthur
490:destroyer escorts
474:Samuel B. Roberts
442:on May 16, 1944.
391:Dutch East Indies
304:
303:
119:
118:
111:
93:
58:"Ernest E. Evans"
1559:
1463:
1461:
1459:
1414:
1395:
1384:. Bantam Books.
1361:
1360:
1345:
1344:
1337:
1331:
1330:
1322:
1316:
1315:
1310:. Archived from
1304:
1298:
1297:
1295:
1293:
1268:
1262:
1261:
1259:
1257:
1243:
1232:
1221:
1215:
1214:
1212:
1210:
1190:
1184:
1183:
1181:
1179:
1159:
1148:
1147:
1127:
1121:
1120:
1102:
1096:
1095:
1093:
1091:
1077:
1052:
1050:Biography portal
1047:
1046:
1045:
996:
995:
991:
974:
973:
969:
964:
963:
959:
940:
939:
935:
891:
890:
883:
877:
867:
858:
852:
845:
833:
824:
818:
808:
799:
792:
785:
776:
769:
768:
700:destroyer escort
668:
460:, a part of the
458:Battle off Samar
452:Battle off Samar
446:Battle off Samar
351:Pawnee, Oklahoma
323:Battle off Samar
279:
271:Battle off Samar
212:
178:
175:October 25, 1944
166:Pawnee, Oklahoma
162:
160:
137:
123:
122:
114:
107:
103:
100:
94:
92:
51:
27:
19:
1567:
1566:
1562:
1561:
1560:
1558:
1557:
1556:
1467:
1466:
1457:
1455:
1443:
1440:
1421:
1411:
1392:
1358:
1354:
1349:
1348:
1339:
1338:
1334:
1327:Newport Navalog
1323:
1319:
1306:
1305:
1301:
1291:
1289:
1282:Navy Department
1270:
1269:
1265:
1255:
1253:
1245:
1244:
1235:
1222:
1218:
1208:
1206:
1191:
1187:
1177:
1175:
1160:
1151:
1144:
1128:
1124:
1117:
1103:
1099:
1089:
1087:
1079:
1078:
1071:
1066:
1048:
1043:
1041:
1038:
1006:
993:
989:
988:
986:
971:
967:
966:
961:
957:
956:
954:
941:" Bronze Star)
937:
933:
932:
926:
885:
884:
878:
860:
859:
853:
846:
826:
825:
819:
767:
755:Carlos Del Toro
707: (DE-1023)
696:
666:
617:escort carrier
615:. Noticing the
494:escort carriers
454:
448:
404:, Seattle, 1943
349:), was born in
339:Native American
335:
297:
293:
275:
267:
250:
198:
193:Place of burial
180:
176:
164:
163:August 13, 1908
158:
156:
140:
128:
115:
104:
98:
95:
52:
50:
40:
28:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1565:
1555:
1554:
1549:
1544:
1539:
1534:
1529:
1524:
1519:
1514:
1509:
1504:
1499:
1494:
1489:
1484:
1479:
1465:
1464:
1439:
1438:External links
1436:
1435:
1434:
1428:
1420:
1417:
1416:
1415:
1409:
1396:
1390:
1376:
1375:
1353:
1350:
1347:
1346:
1332:
1317:
1299:
1288:. July 8, 2015
1263:
1233:
1229: (DE-413)
1216:
1185:
1149:
1142:
1122:
1115:
1097:
1068:
1067:
1065:
1062:
1061:
1060:
1054:
1053:
1037:
1034:
1012:Medal of Honor
1005:
1002:
999:
998:
997:" Bronze Star
981:
976:
975:" Bronze Star
948:
947:
942:
921:
915:
914:
909:
904:
898:
897:
895:Medal of Honor
887:
886:
872:
871:
870:
868:
861:
847:
840:
839:
838:
835:
834:
827:
813:
812:
811:
809:
801:
800:
793:
786:
778:
777:
766:
763:
695:
692:
680:Medal of Honor
635:light cruiser
628:heavy cruiser
603:heavy cruiser
570:heavy cruiser
555:heavy cruiser
510:light cruisers
506:heavy cruisers
450:Main article:
447:
444:
334:
331:
319:Medal of Honor
302:
301:
291:Medal of Honor
288:
284:
283:
282:
281:
262:
258:
257:
242:
238:
237:
232:
228:
227:
224:
220:
219:
214:
208:
207:
204:
200:
199:
196:
194:
190:
189:
179:(aged 36)
173:
169:
168:
154:
150:
149:
146:
142:
141:
138:
130:
129:
126:
117:
116:
31:
29:
22:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1564:
1553:
1550:
1548:
1545:
1543:
1540:
1538:
1535:
1533:
1530:
1528:
1525:
1523:
1520:
1518:
1515:
1513:
1510:
1508:
1505:
1503:
1500:
1498:
1495:
1493:
1490:
1488:
1485:
1483:
1480:
1478:
1475:
1474:
1472:
1454:
1450:
1446:
1442:
1441:
1432:
1429:
1426:
1423:
1422:
1412:
1410:0-7432-5221-7
1406:
1402:
1397:
1393:
1391:0-553-80257-7
1387:
1383:
1378:
1377:
1374:
1371:
1368:
1367:
1366:public domain
1356:
1355:
1342:
1336:
1328:
1321:
1313:
1309:
1303:
1287:
1283:
1279:
1278:
1273:
1267:
1252:
1248:
1242:
1240:
1238:
1230:
1228:
1220:
1204:
1200:
1196:
1189:
1173:
1169:
1165:
1158:
1156:
1154:
1145:
1139:
1135:
1134:
1126:
1118:
1116:9781588347640
1112:
1108:
1101:
1086:
1082:
1076:
1074:
1069:
1059:
1056:
1055:
1051:
1040:
1032:
1030:
1025:
1020:
1010:
985:
982:
980:
977:
953:
950:
949:
946:
943:
930:
925:
922:
920:
917:
916:
913:
910:
908:
905:
903:
900:
899:
896:
892:
882:
876:
869:
866:
862:
857:
851:
844:
837:
836:
832:
828:
823:
817:
810:
807:
803:
802:
798:
794:
791:
787:
784:
780:
779:
775:
770:
762:
760:
756:
753:
748:
746:
742:
738:
735:
731:
727:
722:
720:
716:
712:
708:
706:
701:
698:In 1955, the
691:
689:
685:
681:
677:
673:
665:
660:
658:
654:
653:
647:
643:
639:
638:
632:
631:
625:
621:
620:
614:
613:
607:
606:
600:
595:
593:
589:
585:
584:
578:
574:
573:
567:
563:
559:
558:
552:
547:
545:
544:
539:
533:
531:
528:", after the
527:
523:
519:
515:
511:
507:
503:
499:
495:
491:
487:
486:
481:
480:
475:
471:
467:
463:
459:
453:
443:
441:
437:
432:
428:
424:
420:
419:
414:
412:
403:
398:
394:
392:
388:
384:
380:
376:
372:
368:
367:
363:
358:
356:
352:
348:
344:
340:
330:
328:
324:
320:
317:received the
316:
312:
308:
300:
296:
292:
289:
285:
280:
278:
272:
269:
268:
266:
263:
259:
256:
255:
249:
248:
243:
239:
236:
233:
229:
225:
221:
218:
215:
209:
206:United States
205:
201:
195:
191:
188:
184:
174:
170:
167:
155:
151:
147:
143:
139:Evans in 1944
136:
131:
124:
121:
113:
110:
102:
91:
88:
84:
81:
77:
74:
70:
67:
63:
60: –
59:
55:
54:Find sources:
48:
44:
38:
37:
32:This article
30:
26:
21:
20:
1456:. Retrieved
1453:Find a Grave
1448:
1430:
1424:
1400:
1381:
1372:
1363:
1335:
1329:. p. 9.
1326:
1320:
1312:the original
1302:
1290:. Retrieved
1275:
1266:
1254:. Retrieved
1250:
1226:
1219:
1207:. Retrieved
1188:
1176:. Retrieved
1132:
1125:
1106:
1100:
1088:. Retrieved
1084:
1028:
1023:
1018:
1016:
907:Purple Heart
749:
744:
741:shiphandling
723:
718:
714:
710:
704:
697:
678:awarded the
676:posthumously
663:
662:The fate of
661:
656:
651:
645:
641:
636:
629:
623:
622:under fire,
618:
611:
604:
598:
596:
591:
587:
582:
576:
571:
565:
561:
556:
550:
548:
542:
534:
484:
478:
473:
469:
465:
464:, Evans led
455:
430:
417:
410:
407:
401:
382:
378:
375:Pearl Harbor
365:
359:
336:
327:World War II
315:posthumously
306:
305:
276:
265:World War II
261:Battles/wars
253:
246:
177:(1944-10-25)
120:
105:
96:
86:
79:
72:
65:
53:
41:Please help
36:verification
33:
1487:1944 deaths
1477:1908 births
1458:October 28,
929:Fleet Clasp
619:Gambier Bay
610:battleship
581:battleship
502:battleships
436:Bronze Star
371:East Indies
295:Bronze Star
148:"Big Chief"
145:Nickname(s)
1471:Categories
1352:References
1292:January 5,
684:Leyte Gulf
650:destroyer
592:Johnston's
514:destroyers
415:destroyer
387:New Guinea
341:ancestry (
337:Evans, of
203:Allegiance
159:1908-08-13
69:newspapers
1256:March 16,
1225:USS
737:simulator
703:USS
672:whaleboat
530:2004 book
498:task unit
362:destroyer
333:Biography
252:USS
245:USS
235:Commander
226:1931–1944
1209:July 21,
1203:Archived
1178:July 21,
1172:Archived
1090:June 24,
1036:See also
1029:Johnston
1024:Johnston
1019:Johnston
715:Johnston
694:Namesake
664:Johnston
657:Johnston
652:Yukikaze
646:Johnston
642:Johnston
624:Johnston
608:and the
599:Johnston
588:Yamato's
577:Johnston
562:Kumano's
551:Johnston
492:and six
485:Heermann
470:Johnston
466:Johnston
431:Johnston
418:Johnston
411:Fletcher
402:Johnston
389:and the
343:Cherokee
254:Johnston
241:Commands
211:Service/
99:May 2019
992:⁄
987:w/ one
970:⁄
960:⁄
955:w/ one
936:⁄
734:virtual
630:Chikuma
512:and 11
488:, four
456:In the
421:at the
277:†
83:scholar
1407:
1388:
1362:
1140:
1113:
765:Awards
637:Yahagi
612:Haruna
605:Haguro
594:crew.
583:Yamato
572:Suzuya
566:Kumano
557:Kumano
482:, and
413:-class
287:Awards
273:
213:branch
85:
78:
71:
64:
56:
1064:Notes
711:Evans
705:Evans
667:'
518:Leyte
383:Alden
379:Alden
366:Alden
347:Creek
247:Alden
183:Samar
90:JSTOR
76:books
1460:2007
1405:ISBN
1386:ISBN
1294:2021
1258:2024
1251:NHHC
1211:2021
1180:2021
1138:ISBN
1111:ISBN
1092:2020
739:for
549:The
508:, 2
504:, 6
479:Hoel
313:who
231:Rank
181:off
172:Died
153:Born
62:news
927:w/
713:or
425:in
325:in
45:by
1473::
1451:.
1447:.
1284:,
1280:.
1274:.
1249:.
1236:^
1201:.
1197:.
1170:.
1152:^
1083:.
1072:^
994:16
972:16
962:16
938:16
761:.
728:,
476:,
393:.
329:.
185:,
1462:.
1413:.
1394:.
1373:.
1343:.
1296:.
1260:.
1213:.
1182:.
1146:.
1119:.
1094:.
990:3
968:3
958:3
934:3
931:(
345:/
161:)
157:(
112:)
106:(
101:)
97:(
87:·
80:·
73:·
66:·
39:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
.jpg)