Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    29th Marines

    Division:

    6th Marine Division

    Action Date:

    April 12, 1945

    Commander in Chief, Pacific: Serial 37653 (January 10, 1946)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Harry L. Evans (MCSN: 0-20030), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader, attached to Company H, Third Battalion, Twenty-ninth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 12 April 1945. While patrolling with his company, First Lieutenant Evans observed that another company of the battalion approximately seven hundred yards distant was receiving intense mortar and machine-gun fire and was unable to evacuate its numerous casualties without assistance. Obtaining permission to lead an evacuation party into the front lines, he quickly organized a thirteen-man group and removes many casualties in spite of the continued enemy fire, personally evacuating three wounded Marines and, in one instance, walking to the rear and carrying a Marine through machine-gun and sniper fire. Upon returning to the battalion command post, he bravely led a thirty-man evacuation party back to the scene of action and continued to direct evacuation activities until all the wounded had been removed to a place of safety. His heroic conduct, unfaltering devotion to duty and courageous spirit of self-sacrifice resulted in saving the lives of many of the wounded and reflect the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.