Commander Evans was a Native American who joined the navy and was given command of a small destroyer in the Pacific Fleet during World War II. When Cmdr. Evans greeted his crew just before they shipped out of San Diego, California, he told his men that “I intend to take this ship into harms way, if there is anyone on board who wants to step off the ship, do so now”. His crew remained, and Cmdr. Evans proved to be true to his word.
While patrolling in the south Pacific in support of a large US fleet Cmdr. Evens and his ship happened onto the bulk of the Japanese fleet heading directly to cut off the US fleet including several troop ships. Ridiculously outgunned Cmdr. Evans ordered a full assault on the Japanese fleet, so they sailed head-on onto the fray. As the small ship engaged the enemy the Japanese ships were forced to circle in a defensive posture. This act alone delayed the Japanese fleet and allowed the US fleet to be warned and take necessary steps.
Hopelessly outgunned in the engagement, Cmdr. Evans set up a smoke screen and escaped the battle with minor damage. Shortly thereafter Cmdr. Evans ordered a second attack on the Japanese fleet, again forcing them into a defensive posture, delaying their effort to intercept the American troop ships. On this pass they took on heavy shelling and were barely able to set up another smoke screen and elude sinking.
Still not satisfied that the US fleet was safe Cmdr. Evens ordered his crippled ship to make a third, and what proved to be final assault on the Japanese fleet. For a third time Cmdr. Evans’ battle tactics forced the Japanese fleet to take a defensive posture, thus delaying even further their intended interception of the American fleet.
In this final engagement Cmdr. Evans and his ship were destroyed by the highly superior firepower of the Japanese large destroyers.
His actions that day saved the lives of countless thousands of American troops.