William B. Evans

Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class: For gallantry in action while serving as a Medical Corpsman with the 6th Marines, 2d Division, A.E.F., on June 06, 1918 at Belleau Wood, France.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant William B. Evans, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action on 1 October 1950 as a helicopter pilot. On this date Lieutenant Evans volunteered to rescue a carrier based pilot who had been shot down approximately ninety miles behind enemy lines in the area between Kyomip’o and P’yongyang, Korea. Although provided with escort of two fighter aircraft, Lieutenant Evans was subjected to intense fire from enemy machine gun positions. Disregarding the danger involved, he proceeded to the scene of the accident, landed, and assisted the pilot into the helicopter and returned with him to Kimpo Air Field. Through his skill and daring in flying an unarmed rescue aircraft far behind enemy lines, he saved the downed pilot from certain capture by the enemy. The outstanding courage and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Evans were in keeping with the highest traditions of the service and reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.