USS Frank E. Evans (DD-754)

USS Frank E. Evans (DD-754), an Allen M. Sumner class destroyer, was named in honor of Frank Evans, a leader of the American Expeditionary Force in France during World War I. Her keel was laid down at the Bethlehem Steel Company of Staten Island, New York. She was launched on 3 October 1944 sponsored by Mrs. Frank E. Evans, widow of General Evans, and commissioned on 3 February 1945 with Commander H. Smith in command.

Related Topics:
''Allen M. Sumner'' class - Destroyer - Frank Evans - American Expeditionary Force - France - World War I - Bethlehem Steel Company - Staten Island, New York - Launched - 3 October - 1944 - Commissioned - 3 February - 1945

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Frank E. Evans arrived at Pearl Harbor on 18 May 1945 for her final training, and crossed to Eniwetok, Guam, Ulithi, and Okinawa on escort duty. Reaching action waters on 24 June, she was assigned to radar picket and local escort duty, often firing on enemy aircraft. At the close of hostilities, she patrolled the Yellow Sea and the Gulf of Chihili, embarked released Americans from prisoner of war camps near Dairen, Manchuria, covered occupation landings at Jinsen, Korea, and continued to operate in the Far East until 6 March 1946 when she sailed from Tsingtao for San Francisco, California. Immobilized there from 31 March, Evans was decommissioned and placed in reserve 14 December 1949.

Related Topics:
Pearl Harbor - 18 May - 1945 - Eniwetok - Guam - Ulithi - Okinawa - 24 June - Radar picket - Yellow Sea - Gulf of Chihili - Prisoner of war - Dairen, Manchuria - Jinsen, Korea - 6 March - 1946 - Tsingtao - San Francisco, California - 31 March - 14 December - 1949

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Recommissioned 15 September 1950 for duty in the Korean War, Evans sailed from San Diego, California, on 2 January 1951 for duty with the Seventh Fleet. On 26 February she began her part in the lengthy siege of Wonsan, during which she engaged enemy shore batteries eleven times. On 18 June she was struck by 30 shrapnel hits, which caused minor wounds to four of her crew before the destroyer silenced the enemy battery.

Related Topics:
15 September - 1950 - Korean War - San Diego, California - 2 January - 1951 - 26 February - Wonsan - 18 June - Destroyer

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During this tour of duty Evans also bombarded targets in the Songjin-Chongjin area, rescued downed aviators, and coordinated and controlled day and night bombing missions by United Nations aircraft. She returned to San Diego on 4 September 1951.

Related Topics:
Songjin - Chongjin - United Nations - 4 September - 1951

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Frank E. Evans sailed on 22 March 1952 for her second Korean tour, serving on patrol and bombardment duty along the coast of Korea and on the Taiwan Patrol before returning to her new home port, Long Beach, California, on 6 November 1952. Her tour in the Far East from 13 June to 20 December 1953 coincided with the Korean armistice, and was devoted primarily to patrol duty.

Related Topics:
22 March - 1952 - Korea - Long Beach, California - 6 November - 13 June - 20 December - 1953

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From 1954 through 1960, Evans completed five tours of duty in the Far East, as well as joining extensive training operations along the west coast and in the Hawaiian Islands, occasionally with Canadian naval ships.

Related Topics:
1954 - 1960 - Hawaiian Islands - Canadian

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On 3 June, 1969, while operating with the Royal Australian Navy off Luzon, Evans was rammed by HMAS Melbourne and cut in half. Her bow sank instantly, taking 74 of her crew down with it. Evans was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 July 1969. The stern section was sunk as a target in Subic Bay on 10 October 1969.

Related Topics:
3 June - 1969 - Royal Australian Navy - Luzon - HMAS ''Melbourne'' - Naval Vessel Register - 1 July - Subic Bay - 10 October

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Frank E. Evans received one battle star for World War II service, and five for Korean war service.

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See USS Evans for other ships with a similar name.

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