The FReeper Foxhole Profiles Combat Medic SP4 Donald W. Evans, Jr. - March 5th, 2004

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[snippy_about_it]

Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.


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"Doc" Evans





Actions at Operation Cedar Falls



OPERATION CEDAR FALLS was an encirclement of the IRON TRIANGLE, North of Saigon. It was determined that the area should be neutralized before another venture into War Zone C. To accomplish this, it was decided to completely depopulate the Iron Triangle area and turn it into a Free Fire Zone. In particular, MACV was determined to destroy the village of Ben Suc, long a VC stronghold north of the Hobo Woods. After the village was secured, a captured VC platoon leader confirmed that no less than 4 companies operated out of the village. The village also had an extensive underground tunnel complex. The entire population of the village was evacuated, the tunnels filled with acetylene, and detonated, collapsing the network. All structures above ground were also leveled. Ben Suc was given up to the surrounding jungle and remained so for the duration of the war.




The 3rd Brigade of the 4th Division served as a support and diversionary force, working out of Dau Tieng during most of this campaign. Its mission was to fan out in company size formations and generally confuse the enemy into thinking a new probe into War Zone C was imminent. This allowed the units in the south to move without compromising their real intention.

During this campaign, on January 27, at an action that occurred near Tri Tam, A company, 2/12 of the Third Brigade stumbled into a reinforced bunker complex. The lead point man was immediately put down by small arms fire and a ferocious battle ensued.



Spec 4 Donald Evans Jr., a Company Medic, braved enemy fire to administer life saving treatment to two downed soldiers, dragging a third to safety through a savage hail storm of enemy fire. Returning to treat additional fallen comrades, he was wounded by grenade fragments himself. In spite of his painful injuries he successfully evacuated another fallen comrade. Told to report to the rear, he refused and successfully moved another wounded person across another dangerous open area. He once more returned to the hostilities, where finally he was felled by small arms fire. Donald had made the supreme sacrifice and was awarded the first Medal Of Honor, posthumously, that the 4th Division earned in Vietnam.



CEDAR FALLS succeeded in killing over 700 insurgents, seizing 200 prisoners and 500 ralliers , making it the first operation in III Corps during which the enemy who surrendered equaled the number killed. Evacuating the Iron Triangle resulted in 5, 987 refugees who were relocated to Phu Cuong. Eventually, after 5 long months, they were moved to a government resettlement area ten kilometers to the south. The entire Iron Triangle now was vacant of civilians. Enemy equipment losses totaled 23 crew served weapons, 590 individual weapons, and over 2800 explosives such as mines, grenades, etc., 60,000 rounds of small arms ammunition and 7500 uniforms.



SP4 Donald Evans was a member of Alpha Company, 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment (A/2/12), which was part of the 3d Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division. 3d Brigade/4th ID embarked at Seattle, Washington, on the troop ship General Nelson M. Walker in September 1966. After a stop in Okinawa, the ship arrived at Vung Tau on 8 October 1966, and the troops went ashore in landing craft.



The brigade was assigned to III Corps Region in the 25th ID Area of Operations, just north of Saigon. The rest of 4th ID was at Pleiku in the Central Highlands.



On Tuesday, 1 November 1966, A/2/12 was in Saigon and marched in the National Day Parade, the commemoration of the establishment of the Republic of South Vietnam. Here is a picture of Alpha Company after the parade, which shows LT Allyn Palmer and guidon bearer PFC Larry Savage leading the company back to the assembly area.

In January 1967, 3d Brigade/4th ID was involved in Operation Cedar Falls. It served as a support and diversionary force working out of Dau Tieng, while the 1st and 25th Infantry Divisions performed a Search and Destroy Mission in the Iron Triangle to the south. Operation Cedar Falls officially ended on 26 January 1967, but A/2/12 encountered a Viet Cong strong point north of Dau Tieng the next day.



On Friday, 27 January 1967, SP4 Donald W. Evans, Jr., MOS 91B20, was killed in action while giving aid to wounded soldiers under fire. This occurred north of the Michelin rubber plantation at Dau Tieng, in the Tri Tam District of Binh Duong Province, South Vietnam. Specialist Evans was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Here is his Medal of Honor Citation:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.

He left his position of relative safety with his platoon which had not yet been committed to the battle to answer the calls for medical aid from the wounded men of another platoon which was heavily engaged with the enemy force. Dashing across 100 meters of open area through a withering hail of enemy fire and exploding grenades, he administered lifesaving treatment to 1 individual and continued to expose himself to the deadly enemy fire as he moved to treat each of the other wounded men and to offer them encouragement. Realizing that the wounds of 1 man required immediate attention, Sp4c. Evans dragged the injured soldier back across the dangerous fire-swept area, to a secure position from which he could be further evacuated. Miraculously escaping the enemy fusillade, Sp4c. Evans returned to the forward location. As he continued the treatment of the wounded, he was struck by fragments from an enemy grenade.

Despite his serious and painful injury he succeeded in evacuating another wounded comrade, rejoined his platoon as it was committed to battle and was soon treating other wounded soldiers. As he evacuated another wounded man across the fire covered field, he was severely wounded. Continuing to refuse medical attention and ignoring advice to remain behind, he managed with his waning strength to move yet another wounded comrade across the dangerous open area to safety. Disregarding his painful wounds and seriously weakened from profuse bleeding, he continued his lifesaving medical aid and was killed while treating another wounded comrade. Sp4c. Evan's extraordinary valor, dedication and indomitable spirit saved the lives of several of his fellow soldiers, served as an inspiration to the men of his company, were instrumental in the success of their mission, and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country."

Secretary of the Army Stanley R. Resor presented the Congressional Medal of Honor to Donald's wife and parents at a special ceremony at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., on 4 June 1968. The Republic of South Vietnam also awarded him the Military Merit Medal and the Gallantry Cross with Palm.



Donald was survived by his wife, Bonnie Jean Evans, his parents, Donald and Elsie Evans, and his brothers Richard and Harvey. His father died in 1974. His mother died on Thursday, 28 June 2001, at the age of 88. Donald is buried next to his father in Oakdale Memorial Park, Glendora, California.


Combat Medic Memorial AMEDD Museum Ft. Sam Houston, Texas

On Thursday, 5 June 1986, Evans U.S. Army Hospital was dedicated to the memory of Specialist Fourth Class Donald Ward Evans, Jr, Soldier - Medic. Like all medics, he was known as 'Doc' to his friends. His name is inscribed on Panel 14E, Line 85, of the Vietnam War Memorial.

Paul M. Webber, M.D.
August 2001

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Donald came from Covina, California. Covina is located twenty miles east of Los Angeles. Thirty miles to the west of his home was Riverside International Raceway. The raceway was a hotbed of racing in the 60's and 70's. Nascar raced there as did the Can-Am and Trans Am series. Donald spoke fondly of days racing at that track and vowed to return there someday.

He was twenty one when he was inducted into the Army and after basic training he was selected to be trained as a Medical Aidman. After his training he was attached to A/2/12 of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division while the unit was still training at Fort Lewis Washington. Just before the unit shipped overseas he got married to the love of his life, Bonnie.



He arrived in Vietnam in mid October, 1966 and the unit did not engage the enemy in any high intensity action until January 27th, 1967. On that day, while it was sweeping an area in Bihn Duong Province, in the Iron Triangle, the Company came up on an enemy bunker complex. As a result of Donald's heroic actions during this engagement he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was the first 4th Infantry Division soldier to receive the CMH in Vietnam. Doc Evans was sorely missed by his Brothers in the Company. All who came to know Donald understood Doc's unselfish nature and putting other people's safety above his own.

For thirty years most of the men from the Company were unaware of his honor as a CMH recipient. It was not the only honor that was accorded the man. A base camp was named after him near Pleiku, called Camp Evans. The highest honor occurred stateside in 1986 when Evans Medical Center was named after him at Fort Carson, Colorado



It was recently discovered that in addition to Evans Medical Center, Donald was also honored with the naming of an auditorium in Fort Sam Houston, where Donald trained to be a medic before he joined us in A/2/12. The building was originally dedicated as Evans Theatre in 1972. It was renovated in 1997 and is now used as auditorium, where graduation exercises for new Medics are held . Donald's brother, Richard attended both dedications, along with Donald's nieces, nephews and of course his Mom.



There is still one more Honor bestowed on Donald Evans. A hospital in Okinawa, Japan was also named after him. Ironically, Okinawa was the only stop that Donald and the rest of the original deployment made on their way to Vietnam in September, 1966. Our ship was refueled there and we were allowed to leave the ship and do PT on the dock.

Elsie Evans, Donald's mom dedicated her life to the disadvantaged veterans of her community working as a veteran's advocate. She passed on in May, 2001 . Donald's wife, Bonnie never remarried after the loss of Donald.


This photo of the presentation of the Congressional Medal Of Honor to Bonnie Evans, Donald's wife, and his Mom and Dad was acquired through the courtesy of Charles G. Langham.

Charles was a staff officer in the Army Surgeon General's Office and had their 1968 Annual Report where on page 87 this photo was included.

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FReeper Foxhole Armed Services Links

[snippy_about_it]

Letters Home



SP/4 Donald Evans
A Co. 2nd Bn 12th INF
APO 96268, San Francisco

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Evans
Covina, CALIF

28 OCT, 66

Hello Mom + Dad

How are the broken arms and colds coming along?

Things are still the same here. It rains at least once a day and is hot with lots of humidity. I'm in good shape. No alments or bullet holes. We are still treated about the same as when we in the states, just not to the same degree.

Being in shape can't be helped. I get in more patrol time than anyone else in the platoon. Along with that we've been putting in lots of other work like staking sand bags around our tents (9 high), filling in ditches the other outfit dug, and other types of maintenant. No rest for Johnson's under paid killers.

Contact with Charlie has only happened twice. A night ambush patrol from 2nd platoon got hit. There was suspose to have been lots of lead flying but no blood was found nor any bodies. Charlie doesn't leave bodies behind so its hard to say if any were hit. That same night Charlie Cong hit the berm. Again nothing cam of it.

Watch the T.V. for a parade in Saigon. Tell Bonnie also. "A" Company is going to be in it. The rest of the Battalion is going on a 3 day search and clear mission, but we get out of that. Its to bad Ha! The parade is Sunday or Monday. Should be in the paper or some news media.

Papy, haven't found any rock worth picking up, but when I do I'll send them to you.

So much for now.
Love Donnie


The above letter is on display along with a portrait of SP4 Donald W. Evans, Jr. at Evans U.S. Army Hospital, Fort Carson, Colorado. It is reproduced here as written.

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25 Dec. 66

Hello Rich & Flou & Mel.,

I would start out with a Merry Christmas, but it isn't. I hope yours was and you all have a good year to come.

Got the book, "Candy" you sent. That was a little while ago. Started it and finished it soon after it arrived. That book is really reaching into the depths of dirt. Then you finish the last couple of pages and realize why it's the way it is. Correct me if I'm wrong, but was represented was a dream this lady was having. A dream expected of a young girl just being exposed to the many aspects of sex and at the same time she is becoming fully mature physically. Dare say it was a hot one. The pages of the book are still being turned by different individuals.

Same routine here in Nam as before. We patrol and go on short operations. Mostly the missions are to find Charlie's supply, and were he's been hiding. The last few times out we've received sniper fire and had no one from our battalion injured. We never catch the Charlie fighter.

Travel in and out of the sticks varies. Mostly by foot, sometimes by UH-119's (chopper) and very seldom by truck. Anyway the dirtiest way to go is by truck. I would give an awful lot to be back in Smog Ville puttin around.

How's Harv. and Becky's problems? Sure hope they solve it in such a way that both are somewhat satisfied. Do you think that there will be another member in the Evans chain soon? I've only heard from Harv once. Guess cause I never managed to get a letter off to him.

Say do you have the trouble with the Fords that you have with the V.W.? You know free mechanical work won't arrive for at least 9 more months and then you'll have to wait till Bonnie and I get out of hiding (Ha!). What did you expect? Your damn cars to come first? Not as long as I'm a healthy male, Evans type.

Folks, the mail service for out going package has been set up. You can start expecting little goodies, late Christmas presents and the like.

I hear Mel did a good job in the church play. Hi Mel.

So Much for now,

Donnie

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8 Jan 67

Hello Brother and Sister-in-law and little actress,

How's every little battle on the home front? How are the little things growing?

Me, I'm fine, considering. Charlie still hasn't found out how to spell my name, so he can't put it on any of his bullets. That leaves the elements still after me though. You know? Nobody can tell me to go to hell. That's because I'm already there.

Well the air temperature has gone down, but it's getting a hell of a lot hotter here. We just got back from a five day operation. The thing was battalion size. The first day saw 11 Charlies zonked and 21 wounded, 27 captured. No one in this battalion was hurt. The next day things were a little different. One Charlie body and five wounded. A Company was responsible for the kill and some of the wounded. We had no casualties, but B Co. had 1 rag and one pole (rag= dead, pole= wounded). C Co. one rag, one pole. Charlie also lost one base camp and lots of chow. The following day there was no fighting. Charlie unassed the area right before the choppers got us there. This time we uncovered a field hospital and another base camp. Complete with supply and ammo. Later on that day a rice storage place was found, complete with 14 tons of rice. Charlie really is ticked off. Another day came and each company moved out in a different direction to meet in to same place. First to move was C Co., then B Co., and finally A Company. C Company was moving through the thick single file (bad tactics) and walked into an ambush. 4 rags, 7 poles in just three seconds. By the time they returned fire Charlie had made it with maybe a couple wounded. The whole operation saw 4 VC weapons captured and all else I mentioned. A VC weapon is worth 5 VCs. So much for that junk.

Got the camera. Thank you very much. It's just the thing. Don't worry about the Film, for I'll let you know. I think that 127 roll film is plentiful now. Already have shot up one roll. If you happen to get some horrid pictures please don't show them to just anybody. You know, the bloody type.

Like I said before, beer is the main beverage here. I drink a lot more than I did before. Don't get drunk though. You like to know how a medic spends X-mal cap. Well we get all the medics together plus grapefruit & same juice mix in 5 gal. water can and add 2 to 3 qts of 190 proof grain alcohol. (00000). Man you talk about getting drunk. There were 15 of us and 10 gal. consumed. Couldn't see worth a damn the next morning, but was not sick.

You all enjoy your TV and out door sports, for I don't, indoor sports are in season.

Your Brother,

Donnie

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25 Jan 67 (last letter)

Hello there,

How's the battle going? I understand you also have snipers in your jungle (asphalt type). What about that?

Thanks for the girly mag and the toffee. It's nice to look at a lot of U.S.A. skin and eat sweet things at the same time. (Ha!)

I've taken two rolls of 'around the base camp' pictures. They are on their way to you. There are a couple of pictures of me after our 7 day Operation. Notice how combat ready the animal looks. He should, for one hour before the picture was taken he had three shot wizz over his head.

Please send some of the prints back so I can see what mistakes I made with the camera. Going to start taking it out in the field tomorrow. The pictures will become more interesting.

Won't say much about the last few weeks because it gets too involved and not real pretty. Part of the operation was in our paper. I sent the article to Bonnie. Ask her to let you see it. What the article mentions wasn't the beginning of the Operation, nor the end.

I'll tell you now, this place might even rattle my cage before the year is up. That's the way it goes.

How's is every one in the manor? Is Mel excited about the oncoming of a family addition? Being stuck here in the boonies made it impossible for me to make myself a papa before you and Harvey made me an uncle again. For that I guess I'll have to be the first Evans to be in the army, go to war, and come back still in one piece.

Too much. This place sucks.

Truly,

Donnie

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Today's Educational Sources and suggestions for further reading:

http://evans.amedd.army.mil/newcomer/evans_letter.htm
www.212veterans.org/History%20of%20the%20212.htm
http://alphaassociation.homestead.com/

[snippy_about_it]

Third Platoon on the berm .This appears to be the men preparing the position just in front of the bunkers on the A/2/12 area of responsibility at dau Tieng. This must have been fairly early after arriving there, as they look like they are uncoiling the barbed wire that protected the area that we were assigned to defend.


Reinforced bunker position, a/2/12. This shows a completed bunker as it looked in January 1967. Note the three portholes which allowed the defenders a panoramic view, enabling them to cover not only to their immediate front but also to provide support for positions to their left and right should those positions come under attack.


Third Platoon tent area. This was Donald's tent that he shared with other men in the platoon he was assigned to.


Third Platoon returning to camp. This was Donald's mates from his platoon, returning from operation. To the right was Walter Sanford delivering some refreshments to the returning troops. The fact that he had his shirt off probably indicated that he had missed this operation (due to being on r&r?) and was assigned the detail. In the center is Jim Shulsky, reading the letter which was waiting for him. Note the ponchos being dried out in the background. In the distant background was the company latrine, it wasn't much, but it offered us some semblance of comfort while we were in camp. lower section of the latrine was where the receptacles (55 gallon drums, cut in half) for human waste, collected. Every few days some men were assigned to remove and burn the contents with gasoline.


Third Platoon receiving hot chow.


Additional bunker positions, a/2/12. This shows the A/2/12 area of defense forward of their bivouac area at Dau Tieng. There was a considerable area of clearing in front of the camp, which afforded little cover for enemy infiltrators. In the background you can see the Michelin rubber plantation where we had pitched our tents. Not all parts of Camp Rainier was imbedded in the tree line, so we were fortunate, as the shaded area provided some relief from the scorching sun.


Shower area , a/2/12. It wasn't much, but it was appreciated by the troops when they returned from patrolling. The water was stored in the aviation tanks and heated moderately by the sun. There were a number of valves which allowed the men to control the gravity fed water to drop into cans with holes punched through the bottom.


The Bridge leading into Dau Tieng. This bridge was to the west of dau Tieng and was of strategic importance to the area, not only militarily, but commercially. While our Company was in camp, squads of men from our units and others would take turns manning that bunker that protected the bridge from the enemy.

This completes the Donald evans collection of photos that he wanted to share with his folks back home. Donald never had the opportunity to explain the images he caught on film to his family. These are the details that Don wanted you to know about, showing the exotic locale where he served so gallantly. Today many of the men you see in the photos survived their tour in Vietnam because of Donald's heroic deeds while administering to them that day in January 1967. They never forgot him, nor will any of the men of A/2/12.

After he was lost in the action of January 27th, 1967, the rolls of film (mentioned in his letters) were found on his bunk, as his personal belongings were gathered to be returned to his folks back home. When the Evans family received the rolls they made two copies and kept them in safekeeping. When we found Richard, Don's older brother, many years later, he graciously forwarded to Alpha Association some of the cherished original photos for our 'Doc Evans Tribute Archive'. We will be forever in debt to him for his generosity.



The Wall of Honor at Fort Hood with plaques for all the all the men who earned the CMH while in service in the 4th Infantry Division

[snippy_about_it]

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[Aeronaut]

Good morning Snippy.

Hughes XV-9A (1964)

[The Mayor]

O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done. —Matthew 26:42

Instead of trying to twist God's arm, put yourself in His hands.

[The Mayor]

Wow, Incredible story..

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Snippy and everyone at the Freeper foxhole.

We received about three-quarters of an inch of rain. Torndao warnings for the Lawton and Wichita Falls areas. Some wind damage. Power is stil out in some places. Thankfully no major injuries.

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning Aeronaut. Now that's interesting. LOL. I'll have to look that one up this evening.

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning Mayor. There isn't an MOH story that doesn't bring a tear or a flood of tears. Such wonderful men America raises up!

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Good morning EGC. Rain and wind here today, chance of a T-storm.

[Soaring Feather]

Good morning everyone in The FOXHOLE!

[Professional Engineer]

Howdy ma'am. My monitor is blurry this morning.

[Professional Engineer]

I got to see a Double Rainbow just before sunset yesterday. COOL!

[Professional Engineer]

OOOooo, I like Eagles! Thanks

[Soaring Feather]

Good morning PE.

[CholeraJoe]

The entire population of the village was evacuated, the tunnels filled with acetylene, and detonated, collapsing the network.

Pretty ingeneous. Wonder why they didn't use this technique in Tora Bora?

[SAMWolf]

Good morning Snippy.

SP4 Donald W. Evans, Jr.

A heartbreaker this morning. Those letters tore me up, letters like that were written by every soldier there.

I remember reading "Candy" too, it came in a shipment of books marked "To any soldier" and it sure made the rounds of the Company.

"No rest for Johnson's under paid killers."

Unlike Kerry Sp/4 knew whose war it was.

[Professional Engineer]

G'morning miss Feather.

[SAMWolf]

Morning Aeronaut

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TODAY The result: the NOTAR® anti-torque system, which is in production on the MD 520N, the MD 600N, and the MD Explorer. Helicopters equipped with the NOTAR system have no tail rotors, which makes them the safest and quietest helicopters flying today. They are particularly well suited to serve as air ambulances, in law enforcement, and as scenic-tour vehicles in environmentally sensitive areas.