Donald Patrick Evans

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Donald Patrick Evans (US54979872), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company D, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Private First Class Evans distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 20 November 1968 while serving as a point man during a reconnaissance-in-force mission in a dense bamboo jungle near Landing Zone Jake. Private Evans detected an enemy ambush and immediately warned his company. The unit attempted to flank the North Vietnamese Army soldiers, who were entrenched in a well camouflaged and heavily fortified bunker complex. Fearlessly leading one of the flanking elements and braving the automatic weapons fire, he spearheaded an aggressive assault against the hostile positions. Moving ahead of the other troops, Private Evans single-handedly destroyed four bunkers with rifle fire and grenades, allowing the balance of the company to advance until it became pinned down by three adversaries in an expertly camouflaged bunker. unmindful of his safety, he immediately charged the position and forced the North Vietnamese to retreat. As he continued to pursue the communists, he was mortally wounded by an enemy sniper. Private First Class Evans’ extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 425 (February 6, 1969)