Editorial

Donnie Evans: A hero in his element

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

My life trail crossed the path of Donald (Donnie) Evans a few times. I remember Donnie vividly during those times and dedicate these words to the memory of a man who stood tall. I know the last few years have not been kind for him. But I would like readers to know that I could trust him with my life and why.

I moved into the Bronaugh, Mo., school district and started school there in the fifth grade on the first of March 1943. I quickly learned that the fifth graders anticipated a picnic. I also learned that three or four of the boys, including Donnie, thought they had a score to settle with a classmate and they anxiously awaited the picnic.

I never knew the trouble, but was relieved when it rained on picnic day; no picnic. I later moved to Metz, Mo., and our eighth grade boys softball team played Bronaugh eighth graders twice. I was our pitcher and the opposing batters included Donnie Evans, Virgil Woolridge, and others. They beat us by a run in both games and all of their runs came on solo homers by Evans and Woolridge. In 1958, I went to Germany and in 1961, became the company commander of E Company, Second Battle Group, Second Infantry. I soon learned I needed a platoon sergeant and was told there was one available.

The drawback was that he was a troublemaker, a fighter. When I interviewed Sergeant First Class Donald Evans, we spoke frankly about his troubles and my expectations. He said he would take the job. I asked him if he had gone to Bronaugh and we experienced a very brief "reunion." In a few words, he was an outstanding platoon sergeant, ranking among the very best. He was a firm and fair leader. No one doubted where he stood and he knew his business as a platoon leader of 81mm mortars.

In one instance, I had reached my wit's end with a young soldier who had sworn he would get frost bitten during a daylong convoy ride in bitter cold weather. The job of SFC Evans was to prevent that. He did. We were later able to get him under psychological care.

In another instance, the Battle Group Chaplain came to the company for his monthly "Chaplain's Hour." During his comments, he reflected on E Company's reputation as a tough company. SFC Evans arose immediately to assure the Chaplain that the company had earned its reputation through extremely hard work and informed the Chaplain that he was proud to be a part.

In another instance, we experienced demanding mechanical and maintenance inspections of our company vehicles. Most of them were in SFC Evan's platoon. The results were the best in the battle group. He had the right to be proud.

My next meeting with him came after we had both retired from military service. We met at our high school class reunion. I strongly invited him to join us, but he declined stating that he was not certain he would fit in. We talked about our military service briefly and he acknowledged that he had been in Vietnam, as had I. My experience had led me to be aware that there was a group of men in Vietnam whose unit was titled simply "Special Operations." I am not sufficiently aware to know exactly what these operations entailed. I am aware that many of them were in very small units of two to five men and that they operated far from regular military forces. Probably in a guerilla-like manner.

Their life was on the line every minute of every day. They were volunteers and to say that they were "behind enemy lines" is an understatement. They had to be more alert, faster, and hit harder than the enemy in order to survive. Courage was the routine for them.

I believe that Donnie Evans was a man who met challenges head on. Whether spit and polish or elbow grease or tough love or the meeting of enormous danger, I believe he was there. He was a superlative soldier, with fierce pride in his work and of unswerving loyalty.

I wish I had known you better, Donnie Evans. You have my undying respect. I salute you. The job you did for our country was marvelous. May you rest in peace.

-- Tom Stevens, of Columbia, Mo., is a former resident of Vernon County.