Winford A. Evans

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Winford A. Evans, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 1st Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 31 July 1945, in a battle in the Southwest Pacific Theater. Seeing his platoon leader wounded, Staff Sergeant Evans disregarded enemy fire and brought the leader to safety. As the battle progressed, he directed mortar attacks and was wounded but continued to fight. Less concerned with his own immediate safety than with defending those around him, he positioned himself within 25 yards of the enemy, threw hand grenades, fired on the enemy and wounded and killed several enemy soldiers. Staff Sergeant Evans’ intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 6th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.