Specialist Fourth Class Donald Ward Evans Jr. was a soldier in the U.S. Army who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on January 27, 1967 in Tri Tam, Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. At the time he was serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Evans was 23 years old.
Evans was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on June 4, 1968 — the Pentagon, presented by Sec. of the Army Stanley R. Resor to his family.
Evans was born on July 23, 1943 in Covina, Los Angeles County, California. He is buried at Oakdale Memorial Park in Glendora, California.
Evans is one of 274 Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War and one of 142 credited to California.
Official 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 one 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 one 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
What the citation records about his wounds:
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.
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (January 27, 1967).
- Age at death: 23
- Resting place: Oakdale Memorial Park
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Donald Ward Evans Jr. received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Vietnam War.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Occupations: combat medic
- Education: Covina High School
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in California →
Timeline
- July 23, 1943Born in Covina, Los Angeles County, California
- January 27, 1967Act of valor — Tri Tam, Republic of VietnamAge 23. Company A, 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division Killed in action.
- June 4, 1968Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyThe Pentagon, presented by Sec. of the Army Stanley R. Resor to his family
- Resting placeOakdale Memorial ParkGlendora, California
Biography
Donald Ward Evans Jr. (July 23, 1943 – January 27, 1967) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.
From the Wikipedia article “Donald W. Evans Jr.”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
