>From the “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships,” (1969) Vol. 2, pp.375-376. EVANS Ernest Edwin Evans, born 13 August 1908 in Pawnee, Okla., graduated from the Naval Academy in 1931. During World War II, he commanded destroyers ALDEN (DD-211) and JOHNSTON (DD-557). Commanding JOHNSTON, he was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in action against a Japanese submarine on 16 May 1944, and in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, fought his ship gallantly until it was sunk, 25 October 1944, by the Japanese force superior in number, firepower, and armor. 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. DE-1023 Displacement: 1,270 t. Length: 314’6” Beam: 36’9” Draft: 9’1” Speed: 25 k. Complement: 170 Armament: classified Class: EVANS The third EVANS (DE-1023) was launched 14 September 1955 by Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Co., Seattle, Wash.; sponsored by Mrs. H. Hendrickson; and commissioned 14 June 1957, Lieutenant Commander H. F. Wiley in command. EVANS arrived at San Diego, her home port, 4 August 1957, and began shakedown operations along the west coast. Her first lengthy deployment, from 21 January 1958 to 27 June, found her serving with Commander, Naval Forces Marianas, for duty in the administration of Pacific territories held by the United States in trust under the United Nations. She proceeded to visit Japan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines, and to train with ships of the navy of the Republic of Korea. During her second tour of duty in the Far East, from 8 January 1959 to 13 June, EVANS hove to in Leyte Gulf 7 February to conduct memorial services for her namesake, Commander Ernest Evans. She exercised with the navy of the Republic of the Philippines, patrolled the Taiwan Straits, served briefly as station ship at Hong Kong, and joined in exercises off Okinawa during the remainder of her tour. On 14 April 1960, EVANS again climaxed a west coast training period by sailing for the western Pacific on a tour of duty which continued until 21 July 1960. She then returned to operations off the coast for the remainder of the year. [EVANS was armed with 4 3” guns, one Weapon Able antisubmarine mount, 2 fixed torpedo tubes, 8 depth charge projectors and one depth charge track. She was stricken from the Navy Register on 3 December 1973 and sold on 16 August 1974. “Jane’s Fighting Ships, 1957-58,” p.463 K. Jack Bauer and Stephen S. Roberts, “Register of Ships of the U. S. Navy, 1775-1990,” p.239.] Transcribed by Michael Hansen mhansen2@home.com