World War II Honoree

Jack L. Evans

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Trucksville, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Barbara Long

Relationship

Niece

AS SERGEANT IN C COMPANY 502 PARACHUTE INFANTRY OF THE 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION DURING WORLD WAR II, JACK EVANS FOUGHT IN TWO INVASIONS (NORMANDY AND HOLLAND) AND FOUR MAJOR CAMPAIGNS (NORMANDY, HOLLAND, BATTLE OF THE BULGE, AND HAGUENAU). HE WAS JUST ONE OF THREE MEN TO RETURN TO THE STATES OUT OF HIS ORIGINAL COMPANY OF 89 SOLDIERS. AT THE TIME, THE 101ST WAS THE ONLY DIVISION IN AMERICAN HISTORY TO BE CITED FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION. JACK ENLISTED IN THE U.S. ARMY ON JANUARY 29, 1941. HE WAS WITH THE 101ST AIRBORNE WHEN IT WAS SURROUNDED AT BASTOGNE DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. FOR HIS EXEMPLARY SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY DURING WORLD WAR II, JACK WAS AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL AND CERTIFICATE. THIS PRESTIGIOUS TRIBUTE WAS BESTOWED FOR HEROIC CONDUCT IN FRANCE ON JULY 16, 1944. JACK ALSO WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART WITH ONE CLUSTER AND EARNED TWO PRESIDENTIAL CITATIONS FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION. IN ADDITION, JACK RECEIVED SEVERAL FOREIGN CITATIONS: ONE WITH THE FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM; TWO WITH THE BELGIAN CROIX DE GUERRE; ONE WITH BELGIAN FOURRAGERE, AWARDED BY PRINCE CHARLES OF BELGIUM ON OCTOBER 22, 1945; AND ONE WITH THE NETHERLANDS ORANGE LANYARD, WORN ONLY BY THE ROYAL NETHERLANDS ARMY.