World War II Honoree

William P. Evans

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

New Cumberland, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Michael S. Wilson

Relationship

Friend

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS, ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE ON JANUARY 27, 1942 IN THE ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES. HE SERVED WITH COMPANY G, 502ND PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION AND PARACHUTED INTO NORMANDY IN JUNE 1944 AS PART OF THE D-DAY INVASION. HE SOON AFTER FOUGHT AT THE BATTLE FOR CARENTAN WHERE HE RECEIVED HIS FIRST PURPLE HEART. IN SEPTEMBER 1944, HIS UNIT PARACHUTED INTO HOLLAND DURING THE RHINELAND CAMPAIGN, WHERE NEAR THE TOWN OF BEST, HOLLAND, HIS HEROISM EARNED HIM THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS, THE SECOND HIGHEST MILITARY AWARD IN THE NATION. HE RECEIVED THE AWARD FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION ON 19 SEPTEMBER 1944 NEAR BEST, HOLLAND. HE ALSO SERVED IN THE CENTRAL EUROPEAN CAMPAIGN AND DURING THE OCCUPATION OF GERMANY UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1945. HE RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE ON SEPTEMBER 22, 1945. HE RECEIVED THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS, 2 BRONZE STAR MEDALS, 2 PURPLE HEART MEDALS, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, 2 PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATIONS, 2 DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGES, AMERICAN THEATER SERVICE MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN SERVICE MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE STARS AND 1 BRONZE ARROWHEAD, ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH GERMANY CLASP, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, PARACHUTIST BADGE WITH 2 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE, BELGIAN FOURRAGERE AND NETHERLANDS ORANGE LANYARD.