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Posted on 03/05/2004 4:19:52 AM PST by snippy_about_it
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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  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  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.      |
LOL. Afternoon Valin, another week successfully fooling the boss?
They made a really, really watered down bad movie of it.
AMEN TO THAT!
May God watch over your brother and his comrades in Iraq, and keep them all safe.
PS: Welcome to the Foxhole!
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