ARLINGTON, VA — Vice President and former Indiana Governor Mike Pence honored an Indiana Ensign on Memorial Day. Pence spoke at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, remembering William Evans Jr. who was assigned to a torpedo squadron in 1941.
Pence says Evans’ sacrifice and courage that day changed world history. Because of the Air Battle of Midway, Evens received the Navy Cross posthumously for his heroism.
William Robinson Evans Jr was born in Indiana in 1918. He was an Eagle Scout. After graduating from college in Connecticut, he enlisted in the Navy’s Reserve Officer Pilot Program. He earned his wings of gold and was commissioned as an ensign in May of 1941. In September, he was assigned to a torpedo squadron on the “USS Hornet.” And at 23, he was one of the squadron’s youngest pilots.
Pence says Evans wrote to a friend two months before his death about how each men died not knowing it was courage that kept the faith in what they were doing.
Pence says Evans’ sacrifice and courage that day changed world history. Because of the Air Battle of Midway, Evens received the Navy Cross posthumously for his heroism.
Pence says Evans wrote to a friend two months before his death about how each men died not knowing it was courage that kept the faith in what they were doing.
(Photo by Getty Images/Cheriss May)
