World War II Honoree

Benjamin F. Evans

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Des Moines, Iowa

Honored By

Dave Evans

Relationship

Son

KNOWN AS 'BEN' TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS. ENLISTED AS A PRIVATE IN THE U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS IN SEPTEMBER OF 1939. SERVED AS A CORPORAL IN THE FINANCE SECTION AT WRIGHT FIELD, OHIO FROM 1940 TO 1941. PROMOTED TO SERGEANT AND TRANSFERRED TO THE FINANCE SECTION AT LANGLEY FIELD, VIRGINIA IN 1941. JOINED THE 23RD PURSUIT GROUP AT LANGLEY FIELD AND ATTACHED TO THE HEADQUARTERS IN DECEMBER OF 1941. THE 23RD PURSUIT GROUP WAS RE DESIGNATED THE 23RD FIGHTER GROUP, BECAME PART OF THE CHINA AIR TASK FORCE AND SENT TO CHINA. PROMOTED TO STAFF SERGEANT. HE WAS ONE OF THE FEW EARLY ARRIVALS TO KUNMING, CHINA THAT WOULD BECOME THE REPLACEMENTS FOR THE FAMOUS FLYING TIGERS OF THE AMERICAN VOLUNTEER GROUP (AVG). WORKED WITH THE AMERICAN VOLUNTEER GROUP'S FINANCE OFFICER, GEORGE 'PAPPY' PAXTON, DURING THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD IN MAY AND JUNE OF 1942. THE 23RD FIGHTER GROUP WAS OFFICIALLY ACTIVATED FOR COMBAT DUTY ON JULY 4, 1942, WHEN THE AMERICAN VOLUNTEER GROUP DISBANDED. SERVED IN THE HEADQUARTERS FOR THE DURATION OF THE WAR. TOOK FURLOUGHS IN CHINA AND INDIA WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY AROSE. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON DECEMBER 12, 1945 AT FORT LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS. RECEIVED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE BRONZE STAR. HE WAS PROUD TO HAVE SERVED UNDER GENERAL CLAIRE CHENNAULT'S FLYING TIGERS OF THE 14TH AIR FORCE.