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Cleveland Evans, Jr
Staff Sergeant
3RD MOTOR TRANS BN, 3RD MARDIV, III MAF United States Marine Corps Hot Springs, Arkansas November 22, 1945 to May 06, 1975 (Incident Date March 13, 1968) CLEVELAND EVANS Jr is on the Wall at Panel 44E, Line 35 |
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I found no entry for SSGT Evans and felt he needs to be remembered as well as everybody else that gave the supreme sacrifice. He was a married 28 yr old African American male who disappeared on March 13, 1968 and was never found. His last known location was in Quang Nam, South Vietnam. I wish there was more info for this soldier because I would like to learn more about him. I have his bracelet that was sent to me. His religion is Protestant. He is on Panel 44E Line 35. Thank You, Cleveland, for serving your country.
PFC Richard L Dykstra (United States Army) |
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In loving memory of a "brother" never met. I wore your MIA bracelet for many years and watched as you did not come home. Finally, I had it straightened and mounted on a plaque. I am humbled by your sacrifice, and will never forget the gift of freedom you gave to me and your country. Rest, knowing you will not be forgotten.
Sally Deem |
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You Shall Always Be Remembered.
From a MIA Bracelet wearer for CWO Jimmy Lee Watson, |
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There is a beautiful memorial web site that I came across for Sgt Evans - you can visit it by going to http://sgtclevelandevanspowmia.homestead.com/ Thought I'd add this for those who may be interested....
J W Hardin
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I just got home from a night out with friends and got on the web. I decided to look up his name on the web. While stationed in Virginia, I went to D.C. for the 4th of July in 2000 and bought an MIA bracelet. Being a Marine I naturally looked for a Marine who was MIA. I just found out that he was born on the same date as my oldest daughter (Hana - 22 Nov 2000) and went MIA on the birthday of my youngest daughter (Mina - 06 May 2006). I don't know what to make of it but it makes me feel some kind of connection with him. By the way, I was stationed with 3rd MARDIV and my MOS was 3531 - MT! Semper Fi, Brother!!
Denis A. Saenz |
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I have worn your bracelet since it was first issued. I will wear it until you come 'home', or until I go 'home'. You are NOT forgotten, and never will be. When I'm asked what it is, I tell your story and the sacrifice you made for all of us. I never knew you, but you are my brother Marine, and always will be. We'll meet on the streets of heaven, which I will help you guard. Semper Fi, Mac.
Dale "Mad Dog" Messmer (GySgt, USMC, Ret) |
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Being a prior Marine (Semper Fi!) I found your bracelet amongst a shelf of many, you served in the year that I was born. I am proud of you. I am proud of your family, I am proud of your decision, I am proud of my American soldier! I received your name in 1996, and I will continue to honor your name until one of us is home ... You make America proud. You are always in our thoughts, and you will never leave mine...
I will meet you someday, and we will drink to our purpose! |
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I have worn the POW Bracelet for SSgt Cleveland Evans Jr. for 18 years now. I received it while at School of Infantry USMC. The bracelet has survived S.O.I., The Gulf War, Okinawa, Med floats, etc. It has been on countless horse rides, it was with me on countless motorcycles rides with brothers, the birth of three beautiful children, and ridden patrol with me as both a Deputy Sheriff and an Arkansas State Trooper. This bracelet does not leave my arm for any reason and is showing the weathers of constant wear. I proudly tell anyone asking about the shiny strap of metal on my arm that SSgt Cleveland Evans Jr. who has been missing since March 1966 has not been forgotten by at least one fellow Marine. He is a fellow Marine from Arkansas, that is my only connection but it is more than enough for me. My children have asked and are all too familiar with the pride raised in me when I tell them why I wear it. I hope someday to give the bracelet to a family member of the SSgt as they lay his remains to rest on American soil. Until then when you see me, you see the bracelet. Semper Fi, Staff Ssergeant!
Sgt Todd Harris USMC |
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The other day I was talking to my youngest son (13) about my Vietnam MIA bracelet I wore as a high school student in the 70s. I wore it for years and then put it away in a special place. I often prayed for this young man but never thought to do an online search until today. What a wonderful surprise to come across this site dedicated to him. Cleveland Evans Jr. shares the same birthday (11/22) as my father, a veteran of WWII. I would like his family and loved ones to know that I have prayed for him for many, many years now and will continue to do so.
Gail Marks |
A Note from The Virtual WallOn 13 March 1968 a UH-1B HUEY (hull number 67-17254) departed Phu Bai Airfield (Hue) enroute Camp Evans, some 27 miles to the northwest. Ten men were aboard the aircraft:
The coastal area northeast of Camp Evans had a history of VC activity, and Nam Giang had an active VC militia headed by the village chief. He rallied his militia and they attacked the soldiers who remained with the helo. After a brisk exchange of fires, the US soldiers withdrew from the helo. As they did so, two soldiers were killed - Gubbins and Moore. The remaining three established a defensive position in the village cemetery but eventually were killed. Although the villagers buried Gubbins and Moore in a single grave more or less where they fell, the other three Americans were removed from the cemetery and buried in separate, but nearby, locations. Meantime LT Peda and the four unidentified soldiers walked into Camp Evans at 2000 hours. Once the situation became clear, an immediate and intensive search and rescue operation was organized to locate the rest of the flight crew and passengers. However, the initial search failed to locate either the aircraft or the missing personnel. Elements of the 1st Cavalry Division recovered two bodies (identified as SFC Eugene Gubbins and PFC Larry Moore) in a shallow grave on 28 March. Although search efforts continued for the other three men in and around the location where the two bodies were found, as well as between Camp Evans and the crash site, they were not found. When the formal SAR efforts were terminated WO Jimmy Watson, SGT Cleveland Evans, and SSG Steven W. Heitman were listed Missing in Action. In early 1975 JCRC personnel revisited the site, and although they did recover material which positively identified the crash site as well as additional remains attributable to SFC Gubbins and PFC Moore they did not locate the other three men. Watson, Evans, and Heitman were continued in MIA status until their respective service Secretaries approved Presumptive Findings of death for them. In 1997 a joint US-Vietnamese team again visited Nam Giang village, and this time the villagers cooperated with the searchers. Three former VC militiamen who participated in the 1968 fight still lived in the village and all three gave much the same story about how the five US servicemen who remained with the helo had died. Unfortunately, the area where the three men who died in the cemetery were buried had been repeatedly disturbed over the years through cultivation and the digging of irrigation ditches. As a result of time and changes, the three militiamen - two of whom had participated in the burials - could not locate the graves ... excavations in the areas where they were thought to be found no remains, personal equipment, or anything which could be associated with Watson, Evans, or Heitman. As of 30 May 2008 their remains have not been repatriated. The surviving pilot, 1LT Robert C. Peda, was killed in action less than a month later, on 07 April 1968. |
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