Captain Evans and the Saga of the USS Evans

Frank E. Evans (DD-754)

1945–1969

Frank Edgar Evans, born on 19 November 1876, in Franklin, Pa. Evans began his service to the Republic during the Spanish-American War when he enrolled as a private in Company M, First Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers, at Camp Harvey, Wis., on 28 April 1898. On 11 November of that year he mustered out at Newark, N.J., and accepted a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps on 15 February 1900. He deployed on board newly commissioned Kentucky (Battleship No. 6) as she worked up in New York and New England waters, and then served in auxiliary cruiser Dixie, which operated as a recruit training ship along the east coast and in the Caribbean. Evans attained the rank of first lieutenant on 23 July 1900.

A series of tremors shook the island of Martinique in the French West Indies in April 1902, and clouds of sulfurous fumes poured down from volcanic Mount Pelée. The mountain continued to spew molten rocks and poisonous fumes for weeks, killing wildlife and driving many terrified residents of the countryside into St. Pierre, the main town. A huge lahar (a slurry of pyroclastic debris and water) broke through the caldera on 5 May and hurtled down the volcano, sending great centipedes and vipers into St. Pierre that attacked people and livestock. Soldiers desperately roamed the streets shooting the threatening beasts. Additional events heralded the island’s demise, and a volcano on nearby St. Vincent erupted on the 7th, killing an estimated 1,500 people. Mount Pelée exploded on 8 May 1902, and all but wiped St. Pierre off the map in a catastrophic disaster that killed nearly 30,000 victims. Buildings burned for days afterward, ships sank in the harbor, and only a handful of people survived.

Dixie proceeded to New York (7–14 May 1902) in advance of steaming to the Lesser Antilles to provide relief to the people suffering from the volcanic eruption. She arrived at Martinique (21–22 May), where all hands including Evans did what they could for the few survivors, and then proceeded to carry supplies and render assistance at St. Vincent (23–29 May) and St. Lucia (29–30 May) before returning to Martinique (30–31 May). The ship then (6–10 June) returned to New York.

Evans next served in the Philippine-American War, in which Filipino insurgents fought the Americans (4 February 1899–2 July 1902). The insurgents initially launched the Philippine Revolution to drive the Spaniards from their soil, and when the Americans arrived and helped them win their independence, they asked the U.S. forces to leave following the Spanish defeat. When they realized that the Americans intended to stay they attacked them, and a series of bloody battles raged across the islands, with a number of determined Filipinos continuing to wage the struggle following the (official) end of the war. Evans then (July 1902) received orders to report to the Marine Corps’ Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and from there he joined the First Marine Brigade and shipped out to the Philippines. The young officer gained valuable experience in the seesaw fighting (25 February–29 September 1903).

Following his return to the United States, he served as the aide-de-camp to Brig. Gen. George F. Elliott, USMC, Brigadier General Commandant of the Marine Corps (20 November 1903–28 July 1905), during which period he was transferred to the Retired List. Evans nonetheless returned to active duty as Assistant to the Inspector of Target Practice (7 December 1905–11 April 1907), and until 1906 served with the Rifle Team. The marines prided themselves on their marksmanship and he typically applied himself to the task, as he showed in a report of 6 December 1906 on the “Corrector System.”

Gun. Sgt. Charles E. Clark, USMC, whom Evans described as “an experienced shot and thorough and painstaking in his work,” carried out a series of “exhaustive” tests at Camp Adm. Harrington at Williamsburg, Va. (5–21 November). Clark fired both government and hand-loaded ammunition, the latter in an attempt to preclude the error of imperfect loading and any consequent errors that might have been misleading. The gunnery sergeant used the “one-eyed method, two-eyed method and the corrector system,” and fired the same number of rounds at 500, 600, 800, and 1,000 yards. Clark’s aggregate scores for the three methods totaled approximately the same for each range, the two-eyed method leading slightly, but the shot groups made with the corrector system proved “superior in correctness and accuracy” to the other two methods. Evans evaluated the system’s chief advantage as “the absence of all strain on the eyesight,” as is usual with the one-eye method and the strain on the right eye. That strain can lead to blurring the front sight, causing a marksman to “hold differently on the target.”

He was released from active duty and resided in Washington, D.C., until shortly before the World War when he was recalled. Evans also married Allean Fisk, and their union produced one son, Townie. Capt. Evans served first in charge of the Recruiting District for Pittsburgh, Pa. (25 August 1914–30 September 1915), and then (1 October 1915–16 July 1917) in charge of the Recruiting District of New York, N.Y. He attained the rank of major on the active list on 18 July 1917. Americans’ interest in their fleet increased as they entered the World War, and Evans co-authored, with Capt. Orton P. Jackson, USN, The Marvel Book of American Ships, published by Frederick A. Stokes Company of New York in 1917.

DownloadCaption: Capt. Evans pensively reflects for the camera as he works through his seemingly endless paperwork while preparing for the World War, 12 June 1917. (Library of Congress Photograph LC-B2- 4236-13)

Maj. Evans sailed with the Sixth Marines for France and reached St. Nazaire on Halloween of 1917, for detached duty with the Army. The American Expeditionary Forces reached European waters keen but lacking experience, and they thus established a series of training camps to attempt to prepare the men for the carnage of the trenches. Evans headed south to help train the men as they arrived and served as Regimental Adjutant and Commander of American Embarkation Camp-Bordeaux, Genicart No. 1 and No. 2 (10 November 1917–7 January 1918). For several months following that assignment, he served as the Regimental Adjutant and Operations Officer of the Toulon Sector along the French Riviera.

The Germans in the meanwhile took advantage of the Russian collapse to shift large numbers of their troops from the Eastern Front westward, and to train many of them in infiltration tactics. On 21 March 1918, they launched Operation Michael, the first of a series of offensives known as the Kaiserschlacht (Emperor’s Battle) against the Allies on the Western Front to decide the war before the Americans could arrive in strength. Additional fighting followed including Operation Georgette on the 9th of April, and on 27 May they launched Blücher-Yorck and broke through the Anglo-French troops defending the Chemin Des Dames (the Ladies’ Path), pushing the Allies back along the entire Aisne front. The enemy troops triumphantly captured the important rail town of Soissons, and thrust into Chateau Thierry to seize the vital crossings of the Marne River. As the war weary French soldiers fell back around Chateau Thierry, the Americans deployed men of the 2nd and 3rd Infantry Divisions to stiffen the faltering line.

The U.S. soldiers and marines repelled repeated German attempts to overwhelm them, fighting in which the marines of the Fourth Marine Brigade held their ground around the Bois de Belleau (Belleau Wood), and then counterattacked into the wood (1–26 June 1918). The Germans dug in amidst the thick foliage and rocky ground, trained their machine guns in interlocking fields of fire, and exacted a fearsome toll of the marines. The men of both sides lunged at each other in unremitting savagery until the marines announced, “Woods now U.S. Marine Corps entirely.” The Americans suffered 9,777 casualties and the French honored their allies by naming the wood Bois de la Brigade de Marine (Wood of the Marine Brigade).

Evans received the Navy Cross for his “exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service as the adjutant of the Sixth Marines, Fourth Marine Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in the Battle of Belleau Wood. “During the trying events of the early part [1–16 June]” of the battle, Evans carried the administrative burdens of the regiment “with great efficiency. His untiring efforts, constant diligence, and intelligent transmissions of orders from the Brigade Commander during a number of days when his Regimental Commander was in an advanced headquarters and not always in communication, contributed in no small degree” to the marines’ victory. Evans also received a Meritorious Service Citation from Gen. John J. Pershing, USA, Commander, American Expeditionary Forces, and a 2nd Infantry Division citation for meritorious service (1–16 June).

Pulled out of the line for rest and to further train marines, he served as the Regimental Adjutant and Second in Command, Nanteuil Billeting Area (21–31 July), and then (1–7 August) the Nancy Billeting Area, and finally, the Marbache Sector (7–16 August). Evans returned to the front and, attached to the brigade staff, took part (12–16 September) in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, in which the Americans demonstrated growing competency on the battlefield. Later that month he took duty with the 2nd Infantry Division’s G-3 Army Operations (Military Staff), while the soldiers boarded trains for the fighting in Champagne.

Following the war, he returned to the United States on 7 March 1919, and served as Officer in Charge of the Eastern Recruiting Division, Philadelphia, Pa. (3 July 1919–23 May 1920), followed (23 May 1920–29 June 1922) by the Marine Recruiting Publicity Bureau in New York City. Evans wrote the book, Daddy Pat of the Marines: Being His Letters from France to His Son Townie, published in 1919. The father shared his reminiscences of his deployment to the fighting, from the voyage across the Atlantic in 1917 through the battles at Chateau Thierry and Belleau Wood, to his six-year-old son Townie, who lived in Chevy Chase, Md. Evans often used glowing language, as this passage describing the marines’ movement to the front in camions (trucks) shows:

The men rode in “great, big, heavy trucks with a long wooden seat on each side, but most of the Marines sat backward with their feet hanging outside so they could see things and the old trucks looked like big, gray spiders with forty-four brown legs.”

Evans joined several veterans who spoke at Princeton University’s Class of 1898 reunion at the University Club in New York City on 15 March 1919. Forty-six men attended the reunion, and the Princeton Alumni Weekly, Volume XIX, No. 24, noted that Evans “gave a vivid picture of his experiences and the fighting in which the Marines took part in France.”

He attained the temporary rank of lieutenant colonel during the World War, and was commissioned as such on 4 March 1921. His postwar service included duty in Haiti. As the World War had erupted Haitian Gen. Jean V.G. Sam led a revolt, and on 25 February 1915 was “elected” president of that island republic. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Rosalvo Bobo, increasingly frustrated with the country’s growing ties to the U.S., rebelled against Sam. The U.S. dispatched Rear Adm. William B. Caperton, Commander Cruiser Squadron, Atlantic Fleet, his flag in Washington (Armored Cruiser No. 11), to Cap Haitien, where he arrived on 1 July with orders to keep the peace. Caperton landed a detachment of marines that established radio communication between his flagship and the U.S. consulate. The violence ashore continued, however, largely as a result of bandit bands called cacos from the mountainous north, and Sam imposed harsh measures against his opponents. The Americans thus dispatched reinforcements and found themselves embroiled in a struggle against the cacos and rioters. Prompted by Caperton, the Haitian Congress meanwhile elected Philippe S. Dartiguenave president on 12 August 1915, and subsequently created the Gendarmerie d’Haïti, a constabulary led by U.S. Marines.

Evans served with the First Marine Brigade ashore in the island (20 July 1922–2 June 1924). On 24 June 1924, he attained the rank of colonel. He completed his tour and went home, where he finished two years of classes at Naval War College, Newport, R.I., followed by duty on the college’s staff until 7 May 1927. Evans then deployed again to Haiti and commanded the Constabulary Detachment, and served as Chief of the Gendarmerie d’Haiti until 31 March 1930.

After his return to the United States and a tour of duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington (1930–32), he reported as Commanding Post and District Marine Officer at Marine Barracks, Philadelphia Navy Yard (19 October 1932–30 September 1933), and then (1 October 1933–August 1935) in a similar capacity at Marine Barracks, Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, T.H. He served as Officer in Charge, successively, of the Southern Recruiting Division at New Orleans, La. (27 September 1935–20 July 1936), and next (28 July 1936–7 July 1938) the Western Recruiting Division at San Francisco, Calif., before returning for a second tour (10 September–1 October 1940) at New Orleans. During the latter assignment he carried out additional duties as Inspector-Instructor, 10th Battalion, Marine Corps Reserve, from July 1939 until released from all active duty pending his retirement. Advanced to brigadier general on the Retired List on 1 December 1940, he made his home in Honolulu, T.H.

Brig. Gen. Evans died at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Pearl Harbor, T.H., on 25 November 1941, and on 28 April 1942, was interred in Section East Site 4888 at Arlington [Va.] National Cemetery. His decorations and awards include the Purple Heart; the Victory Medal with Aisne, Saint-Mihiel, and Defense Clasps (1918); the Expeditionary Medal (Haiti—1922); the French Fourragère aux couleurs de la Croix de guerre (1918); and the French Legion of Honor Diploma (1933).

(DD-754: displacement 2,200; length 376’5″; beam 41’1″; draft 15’8″; speed 34 knots; complement 336; armament 6 5-inch, 12 40-millimeter, 11 20-millimeter, 10 21-inch torpedo tubes, 6 depth charge projectors, 2 depth charge tracks; class Allen M. Sumner)

Frank E. Evans (DD-754) was laid down on 21 April 1944 at Staten Island, N.Y., by Bethlehem Steel Co.; launched on 3 October 1944; and sponsored by Mrs. Allean F. Evans, widow of the late Brig. Gen. Evans. “The 2,200-ton super-destroyer Evans,” the New York Times reported the following day, “named in honor of the late Brig. Frank E. Evans of the Marine Corps, was launched at high water yesterday at the Bethlehem Steel and Shipbuilding Company yard at Mariners Harbor in the presence of high-ranking naval officers, seventy-five invited guests and 500 shipyard workers.” Frank E. Evans was commissioned at the New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, N.Y., on 3 February 1945, Cmdr. Harry Smith in command.

DownloadCaption: This photograph shows a ship, possibly Frank E. Evans, under construction at Bethlehem Steel’s Staten Island shipyard during World War II. (Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph UA 487.02)

The ship fitted out at New York Navy Yard (4–22 February 1945), which included brief interruptions to load ammunition at Naval Ammunition Depot, Earle, N.J., and deperming at Navy Yard Annex, Bayonne, N.J., both on the 17th. Frank E. Evans also required additional time in the yard as workers modified and reinstalled the Mk. 63 Gun Fire Control System. A series of readiness for sea drills and operations followed through the 22nd. Frank E. Evans began the destroyer’s service in the Atlantic Fleet as she completed a shakedown cruise and original daily anti-submarine warfare, gunnery, damage control, Combat Information Center (CIC), engineering, and communications training as part of Task Group (TG) 23.1 in the waters off Bermuda (23 February–5 March). The ship moored alongside destroyer tender Altair (AD-11) in the British colony’s Great Sound during those times overnight when she returned to port.

The warship then turned south as the screen commander with TG 23.1.1, also consisting of Altair, escort ship Hanna (DE-449), frigate Greensboro (PF-101), and small coastal transports APc-86 and APc-91, for the balmy Caribbean waters off Guantánamo Bay, Cuba (6–31 March 1945). The training did not pass without incident and a visual contact suspected of being a German U-boat (submarine) near 19°49’5″N, 74°24’W, at 1937 on the 25th, compelled the Americans to form Duncan (DD-874), Frank E. Evans, and Harlan R. Dickson (DD-708) into a Hunter-Killer Group to track down the culprit. The ships’ sonar and radar operators attentively sat by their equipment and lookouts scanned the horizon as the ships searched the area in line distance of a mile into the following day, but the enemy boat, if one ever did operate in the area, eluded the searchers. Following Frank E. Evans’ sojourn she swung northward (28–31 March) and then (31 March–14 April) completed voyage repairs and post-shakedown alterations at the New York Navy Yard.

Frank E. Evans emerged from the yard work battle ready and proceeded to the Pacific to fight the Japanese. The destroyer worked up steam on the 15th, and the following day loaded ammunition at Earle, and headed down to Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Va., where she completed exercises under the auspices of Fleet Operational Training Command, Atlantic Fleet (17–22 April 1945). The following day she stood out to sea in company with light cruiser Amsterdam (CL-101), and they rendezvoused with Dayton (CL-105) and Southerland (DD-743) and the four ships worked up together off Cape May, N.J.

On the 24th they formed Task Unit (TU) 23.16.1 and steered southerly courses to Guantánamo Bay. Frank E. Evans refueled at San Juan, P.R., on the 27th and 28th, andDayton and Southerland detached in Cuban waters, while Amsterdam and Frank E. Evans, having refueled, took part in a “fire special test” gunnery exercise off Culebra Island, P.R., followed by additional training off Guantánamo Bay. They then (3–4 May 1945) continued across the Caribbean Sea, passed through passed the Panama Canal on the 5th, and turned toward the Hawaiian Islands as TU 12.9.3. The cruiser and her destroyer consort reached those waters safely, where Frank E. Evans moored in the Middle Loch of Pearl Harbor, T.H., on 18 May. They next (18–28 May) carried out a series of shore bombardment shoots.

Amsterdam and Frank E. Evans refueled and replenished at Pearl Harbor and Frank E. Evans and high speed minesweeper Dorsey (DMS-1) then (29 May–6 June 1945) screened Convoy PD416-T, comprising transport Storm King (AP-171 and the convoy commodore), attack transport McCracken (APA-198), Winged Arrow (AP-170), and War Shipping Administration troopship (Danish registry) Perida, from Hawaiian waters to Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Frank E. Evans and Dorsey delivered their charges and continued on to refuel at Guam in the Marianas Islands (7–11 June), and Frank E. Evans next (17–18 June) proceeded independently to Ulithi in the Carolines.

The ship joined TU 94.18.12 and helped escort Convoy UOK-27 to Okinawa in the Ryūkyūs (20–24 June 1945). The vast assemblage of ships for the voyage also numbered Seiderstrom (DE-31 and the flagship), and minesweepers Dunlin (AM-361), Surfbird (AM-383), Toucan (AM-387) as the screen, while the convoy comprised Crockett (APA-198 and the convoy commodore), Beckham (APA-133), Bingham (APA-225), Clermont (APA-143), Garrard (APA-84), Grafton (APA-109), attack cargo ship Woodford (AKA-86), cargo ship Jupiter (AK-43), stores issue ship Castor (AKS-1), Victory ships Durango Victory, Hampdon-Sydney Victory, and Hastings Victory, and transports Cape Cause, Defiance, Sea Marlin, Swallow, and White.

On 6 April 1945, the Japanese had launched the first of a series of ten mass kamikazeattacks, interspersed with smaller raids and named Kikusui (Floating Chrysanthemum) No. 1, against Allied ships off Okinawa during Operation Iceberg—the invasion of the island. As many as 1,465 aircraft took part in the attacks through 28 May and inflicted ghastly losses on the Allies. Reaching action waters on 24 June, Frank E. Evans thus completed voyage repairs and upkeep to prepare for the battle while at Kerama Rettō, about 15 miles west of Okinawa (25–28 June). The following day she steamed to Radar Picket Station 9 southwest of Okinawa, where she relieved Fullam (DD-474) as a fighter director ship.

1st. Lt. Albert A. Paulis, USMC, of Marine Fighting Squadron (VMF) 222, crashed in the water in his Vought F4U-4 Corsair on the 4th of July, but the ship raced over and rescued the pilot. Frank E. Evans was relieved of her picket duty on 6 July 1945, and came about to replenish. She then (8–12 July) shifted to a radar picket station to the west of Okinawa and served again as a fighter director ship. The destroyer escorted oilers to rendezvous with the escort aircraft carriers of Carrier Division (CarDiv) 22, Rear Adm. William D. Sample in command, comprising Sangamon (CVE-26—the flagship), Chenango (CVE-28), and Suwanee(CVE-27), on the 14th. On the 19th a typhoon sliced across the region and Frank E. Evansretired to the westward to escape the tempest, spending her time well by also screening troopships.

The destroyer patrolled for Japanese submarines at Dog-1 Anti-Submarine Station in the vicinity of Okinawa (21–23 July 1945). At 0231 on the mid watch on the 22nd, radar detected an enemy Nakajima B6N1 carrier attack plane approach from a range of five miles. The Jill closed at 180 knots to 4,000 yards and dropped from an altitude of 900 to 500 feet, but the ship drove off the bomber with 39 5-inch anti-aircraft common rounds, ten of them proximity fused. The Jill maneuvered out of the gunfire and as the ship ceased firing the Japanese pilot dived to barely 100 feet as he skimmed the water to escape the deadly fusillade. Sailors felt a heavy underwater explosion as the gunfire ceased, and surmised that the Jill either jettisoned a bomb or a torpedo in the ship’s wake in order to make its exit.

A single day’s respite for replenishment passed all too quickly and she returned to the anti-submarine patrols in the Okinawa area (24–27 July 1945). That day she was relieved of her duties for a special escort mission to Buckner Bay, Okinawa. The warship completed her task but on the 27th a Japanese plane also penetrated the Allied Combat Air Patrol (CAP) and dropped a torpedo that punctured John A. Rawlins in the vicinity of Naha Ko, Okinawa. In addition to the Liberty ship’s 39-man merchant crew, 28 Naval Armed Guards and 191 Naval Construction Battalion men (Seabees) were on board at the time. The attack wounded only three of these men, but seriously damaged the vessel and investigators eventually wrote her off as a loss. Frank E. Evans stood out on the 28th and made for the area to render assistance.

Japanese suicide planes continued to maul the Allied ships operating off Okinawa and a biplane, likely a Yokosuka K5Y Willow of the Kamikaze Special Attack Corps 3rd RyukoSquadron, sank Callaghan (DD-792) on her radar picket station southwest of the island on 28 July 1945. Prichett (DD-561) closed to pick up survivors when a second suicider crashed and damaged her. Frank E. Evans and Alfred A. Cunningham (DD-752) turned and raced to the area to render assistance, and to relieve the two ships on their vital Picket Station 9-A.

Frank E. Evans’ SG radar detected a pair of Japanese Mitsubishi G4M1 Type 1 land attack planes heading toward the ship’s starboard beam from a range of four miles and at an altitude of 600 feet at 0207 on the 29th. The destroyer’s guns unleashed a cacophony of 54 5-inch anti-aircraft common rounds with proximity fuses at the Bettys, which split off. One of the Bettys continued toward the ship at 195 knots but the flak proved too much, and the plane dropped to scarcely 25 feet and careened along the wave tops past the ship aft as it escaped into the night.

The following night a USAAF Northrop P-61 flew toward the ship on her port side while returning to its airfield following a special mission, but the Black Widow failed to provide identification friend or foe. Frank E. Evans opened fire at the apparent intruder as it closed to 8,000 yards at an altitude of 5,000 feet and ripped into the Black Widow, which turned and passed her port quarter and crashed. After daylight the ship rescued 2nd Lt. Leonard S. Frumar, USAAF, the radar officer, who had survived when he parachuted into the sea.

Japanese planes again threatened the ship from her port beam at 0303 on the night of 30 July 1945. The SG radar detected five or six aircraft orbiting at a distance of nearly 20 miles, but after tracking several of the planes, the plotters estimated that their speed varied from 60–125 knots. The intruders flew at an altitude of 7,000 feet and closed the range and flew at a fairly constant distance of 8,000–5,000 yards, and tended to increase in the direction of the wind. They dropped “window” (clouds of small, thin pieces of aluminum wire or similar material—chaff) effectively, but did not press home their attack while the ship blasted them with 164 5-inch anti-aircraft common proximity fused shells. The mysterious intruders broke off and disappeared into the darkness, and their actions reminded watchstanders of the biplane that sank Callaghan. “It is further believed that these planes are capable of inflicting maximum damage,” Cmdr. Smith reported, “and all ships should become aware of their existence.”

Frank E. Evans also continued to contend with foul weather and a typhoon swept through the area, so she retired to the south and again screened cargo ships on the 1st of the month. Two days later she refueled at Buckner Bay. Frank E. Evans returned to sea and patrolled for Japanese submarines on Anti-Submarine Warfare Station K-2 (4–5 August 1945) and then (7–11 August) relieved Aulick (DD-569) and resumed fighter direction duties on Picket Station 9A. Irwin (DD-794) served as a support ship. John A. Bole (DD-755) relieved Frank E. Evans of those duties on the 12th, and the ship reported to TU 99.5.6 as she slid into Hagushi, a bay at the mouth of Bishi [Hija] River near Yomitan [Yomitan-san] on the west side of the island. The warship completed upkeep but, having seen first-hand the devastating effects of the Japanese aerial onslaught, also held anti-aircraft exercises.Frank E. Evans steamed to Anti-Submarine Warfare Station C-4 in the waters off Ie Shima [lejima] to search for enemy submarines (14–16 August), where she learned of the Japanese agreement to surrender. The crew celebrated the news joyfully while they brought the ship about and returned to Buckner Bay for upkeep and a much needed rest (17–28 August).

As the war ended, Frank E. Evans set out from Buckner Bay and joined TG 71.1, Rear Adm. Francis S. Low, Commander, North China Force. The task group also included large cruisers Alaska (CB-1) and Guam (CB-2), Cruiser Divisions 6 and 16, comprising heavy cruisersMinneapolis (CA-36—flagship), New Orleans (CA-32), San Francisco (CA-38), and Tuscaloosa(CA-37), and their screen, consisting of Destroyer Squadron (DesRon) 64: Alfred A. Cunningham, Haraden (DD-585), Harry E. Hubbard (DD-748), John H. Bole, and Wiley (DD-597). John R. Pierce (DD-753), one of the squadron’s destroyers, did not sail with them because she took part in the occupation of the Japanese home islands.

The group carried out Op-plan 13.45 as the ships patrolled the Yellow Sea and the Gulf of Chihli [Bohai Sea] to enforce the terms of the enemy’s surrender (29–31 August 1945). Tensions ran high as many Allied leaders expressed their concern about Japanese forces refusing to accept the surrender, or not learning of it because of communications issues. Some of the ships of the group steamed at sea and then boldly swept into Tsingtao [Qingdao], China, to display U.S. naval strength on the 1st of September. The following day, Frank E. Evans and Harry E. Hubbard, with Commander, DesRon 64, detached and proceeded toward Dairen [Dalian], Manchuria, to secure the release of U.S. naval sailors reported to be held by the Japanese there (2–6 September). At 1210 on the 2nd, Frank E. Evans fired eight 5-inch anti-aircraft common and 268 40-millimeter rounds on a floating mine, but despite the firepower failed to detonate the mine. Frank E. Evans and Harry E. Hubbard anchored in Victoria Bay at Darien and helped the emaciated and weakened former prisoners through the 5th.

In the meanwhile on the 2nd, TF 72, built around CarDiv 5’s Antietam (CV-36), Intrepid (CV-11), and small aircraft carrier Cabot (CVL-28), launched nearly 100 planes that flew over Shanghai, China, as a show of force. The Japanese interned Allied prisoners of war, including some of the marines they had captured at Wake Island in 1941, along with many Allied civilians, in camps in the Shanghai area. The ships swung around to the northward and made a show of force off Dairen, in the process supporting Frank E. Evans and Harry E. Hubbard (4–5 September). On the 7th Frank E. Evans was relieved at Darien and returned to sea and rendezvoused with the rest of the task group, and they steamed easterly courses for Jinsen [Incheon], Korea.

Frank E. Evans shot 61 40-millimeter rounds at a floating mine at 1010 on the 7th, though did not confirm detonating it. Minesweepers swept the channel leading into Jinsen but did not discover any of the deadly devices, and the signal tower signaled “Welcome American Fleet.” The next day the ships sighted and destroyed 16 of 18 floating mines while fueling in the vicinity of 36°40’N, 123°50’E, however, and so continued to operate cautiously. Frank E. Evans nonetheless entered the harbor on a mission to secure an anchorage area for TF 71.1.

Rear Adm. Low hoisted his flag in Frank E. Evans on the 9th, and the ship transported him, staff officers, and Navy news correspondents to the landings at Jinsen. The tower hoisted “Welcome United States Fleet” as planes from Antietam, Intrepid, and Cabot covered the vessels as they approached Jinsen, and, beginning at 1430 as Vice Adm. Daniel E. Barbey, Commander, Seventh Fleet, who broke his flag in amphibious force flagship Rocky Mount(AGC-3), landed soldiers of the XXIV Corps. The men secured their objectives without meeting resistance, disarmed any Japanese troops they encountered, and discovered six enemy midget submarines hitherto hidden from Allied intelligence analysts. Frank E. Evansanchored at Jinsen while she supported the efforts to consolidate the landings and liberate the Korean people (10 September–3 October). Following her extended time assisting the Koreans at Jinsen, Frank E. Evans continued her humanitarian mission in company with support landing craft LCS-38 at Ongjin-gun, anchoring in the vicinity of Kerrin To (5–6 October). The ships then returned to Jinsen, but Frank E. Evans, medium landing ship LSM-363, LCS-8, and a Japanese minesweeper went back to Ongjin-gun as TU 71.1.12, the destroyer acting as the flagship (17–23 October).

Frank E. Evans crossed the Yellow Sea on the 1st of the month and anchored in Narcissus Bay at Weihaiwei [Weihei] (2–3 November 1945). The ship again carried out her humanitarian role, as well as supporting the return of Chinese territory from the Japanese. The destroyer turned back for Jinsen, and after briefly (4–5 November) laying to in Korean waters, resumed her increasingly familiar pattern and swung back across the Yellow Sea and anchored at Wai-Kang, the outer harbor at Tsingtao (6–13 November). Alaska arrived at the Chinese port and Frank E. Evans escorted her larger charge eastward to Jinsen (14–19 November).

From there, the destroyer turned back to Chinese waters but continued southward, steamed up the Whangpoo [Huángpŭ] River and moored alongside barracks ship Orvetta(IX-157) between buoys 17 and 18 at Shanghai (20–21 November 1945). The destroyer performed the vital but less glamorous duty of the North China Mail Run as she returned to Tsingtao on Thanksgiving, the 22nd, and the following two days charted a course for Taku [Dagu] Bar at the mouth of the Peiho [Hai] River protecting Tientsin [Tianjin]. A brief (25–26 November) trip across the Yellow Sea to Jinsen completed the ship’s service on the North China Mail Run. Toward the end of the month she worked with LSM-42 and then trained at sea as part of TU 71.6.2 with Springfield (CL-66) and Burns (DD-588), and rounded off November moored on the Whangpoo at Shanghai. The trio shifted berths and anchored in the vicinity of Woosung [Wusong] River Jetty just to the northward of Shanghai (6–7 December). Frank E. Evans sailed down the Yangtze River and out to sea on the 8th, and then (9–15 December) anchored in the vicinity of berth E-6 in the Outer Harbor at Tsingtao. She returned to Taku (17–21 December), two days before Christmas moored to Pier 2 at Chingwantao [Qinghuangdao], and rejoined Springfield as the duo turned southward and spent the holidays at Tsingtao, the destroyer anchored in berth E-107 (23–29 December). At noon on the 27th she shifted berths and refueled alongside oiler Tappahannock (AO-43). Frank E. Evans all but wrapped up 1945 moored on the Whangpoo at Shanghai, and spent New Year’s Eve at sea escorting Kula Gulf (CVE-108).

Frank E. Evans anchored off Taku (2–7 January 1946) and then (7–9 January) screened Kula Gulf and Bolivar (APA-34) to Tsingtao. The destroyer trained in and out of Tsingtao more than once during the remainder of the month, and escorted Bayfield (APA-33) up the coast on the 21st. The ship continued to operate in the Far East until 6 March 1946, when she sailed from Tsingtao for home. The ship called at Guam (10–11 March), Eniwetok on the 14th, and Pearl Harbor (20–22 March), before reaching San Francisco on the last day of the month. Fleet ocean tug Moctobi (ATF-105) took the destroyer in tow on 2 June 1946 as the latter entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard at Vallejo, Calif., for an overhaul and inactivation on the 7th of June, and on 5 July 1947, shifted to Naval Station (NS) San Diego, Calif. Frank E. Evans was decommissioned there and placed in reserve on 7 July 1947.

On 11 May 1949, she was recommissioned at NS San Diego, Cmdr. William C. Meyer in command. Following a fitting out period at San Francisco Naval Shipyard at Hunters Point, and brief operations out of San Diego, the ship loaded ordnance at Seal Beach Naval Ammunition and Net Depot, Calif., on 8 June, and through the 13th returned to San Diego. Frank E. Evans turned northward again for the Bay Area, and on the 15th made a full speed run off the Golden Gate Bridge. The warship was decommissioned at NS San Diego on 14 December 1949, and assigned to the Reserve Fleet.

Despite warnings from multiple intelligence sources the North Koreans invaded South Korea on 25 June 1950. The invaders achieved tactical surprise and their aggression began the Korean War. The U.S. asked for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council and the council adopted a resolution condemning the North Korean aggression, ordered the withdrawal of North Korean troops above the 38th parallel, and called on all members to assist the UN in the execution of the resolution. The Soviets boycotted the council in protest of ongoing American support of the Chinese Nationalists and their absence prevented their veto of the motion.

Naval planners ordered Frank E. Evans activated to deploy to the Korean War on 7 August. Recommissioned on 15 September 1950, at NS San Diego, Frank E. Evans accomplished a brief shakedown cruise and a readiness-for-sea operation, and reported for duty on 3 October 1950. The ship continued what she reported as “intensive” training as she prepared for war, and on 2 January 1951, sailed for the Seventh Fleet as TU 52.5.1, which also comprised Alfred A. Cunningham, Blue (DD-744, flagship), and Walke (DD-723). The ship moored to berth 2 on pier 1 at Midway Island while she refueled (15–16 January), and completed voyage repairs and upkeep moored in a nest with the rest of the task unit at Yokosuka on Tōkyō Bay (23–29 January). Frigate Glendale (PF-36) briefly joined them, and toward the final days of the month the vessels of the task unit worked with Bairoko (CVE-115) in a series of exercises in Japanese waters. Upon the ship’s return to Yokosuka she moored alongside to starboard to Canadian destroyer Athabaskan (R-79) on 3 February.

Alfred A. Cunningham, Blue (flagship), Frank E. Evans, and Walke set out on the 3rd and on the 5th rendezvoused with the other ten ships of powerful TF 77, built around Princeton(CV-37), Valley Forge (CV-45), and antiaircraft light cruiser Juneau (CLAA-119), in the Van Dieman Strait between Kyūshū and Tanegeshima. Philippine Sea (CV-47) relieved Princetonon the 12th, and on the 15th–19th battleship Missouri (BB-63) and her escorts, John A. Bole(DD-755) and Lofberg (DD-759), joined the formation.

DownloadCaption: The ships of the task force fight in bitter winter weather but crewmen take a break and participate in a snowball fight while clearing snow from Valley Forge’s flight deck in Korean waters, early 1951. The planes parked on the deck are Vought F4F-4 Corsairs of Carrier Air Group (CVG) 2. (U.S. Navy Photograph 80-G-428270, National Archives and Records Administration, Still Pictures Branch, College Park, Md.)

United Nations forces began a naval siege of the North Korean port of Wŏnsan on 16 February 1951. The allies temporarily developed the port into a sanctuary for aircraft damaged by enemy fire that ditched in the harbor. Helicopters pulled the downed aircrew to safety and thereby saved men from death or imprisonment by the enemy. Frank E. Evans stood into Wŏnsan and anchored in berth 6 on the morning of 26 February. That afternoon (1233–1426) an aircraft spotter observed the ship’s gunfire as she shot 17 5-inch anti-aircraft common rounds in interdiction fire at the enemy. The communist gunners struck back and hurled their shells at the warship from three sides for nearly 90 minutes, water from their projectile splashes covering Frank E. Evans’ decks, before her 5-inch guns silenced her tormentors. The destroyer fired eight anti-aircraft common shells per hour overnight to harass the communist troops—a total of 104 rounds by morning. The following night she increased the crescendo of harassing fire to 24 anti-aircraft common rounds per hour.

Frank E. Evans engaged enemy shore batteries 11 times during her part in the siege of Wŏnsan. In the formative months of the blockade, the ship detached at times from Task Force (TF) 77 and ranged along the Korean coast, in company with other ships but on occasion independently. At times during the Korean War and later in the destroyer’s career, the crew proudly called her “The Gray Ghost,” “The Fighter,” or “The Lucky Evans.” Frank E. Evans ranged the coast for a month, and coordinated and controlled day and night bombing missions by allied aircraft. A few days later a running battle with enemy shore artillery resulted in damage to a patrol vessel maneuvering close aboard Frank E. Evans.

In between the fighting, Frank E. Evans accomplished repairs and upkeep at Yokosuka (20–25 April 1951) and Sasebo (14–21 May and 1 June). The warship rendezvoused with battleship New Jersey (BB-62) and Toledo (CA-133) at Sasebo on Kyūshū in southern Japan on the 2nd and the trio patrolled in the vicinity of Pusan [Busan], South Korea, on that day and the next, and the following day on the 4th Frank E. Evans led her larger charges into Wŏnsan. The destroyer’s familiarity with the harbor persuaded planners to earmark her to control the larger ships’ gunfire on the bombline in Area S.

Frank E. Evans swung around on the 6th and operated with TF 77, and then closed the coastline, where she rescued downed three aviators. Allied planners also sought to close down the Sŏngjin [Kimchaek]/Chŏngjin area to the enemy, and so Frank E. Evans, a second U.S. destroyer, and Dutch destroyer Evertsen (D.802) steamed into Sŏngjin (13–17 July 1951) and opened another continuous siege that limited communist use of an important harbor and supply center. An enemy battery fired at the ship on 18 June and 30 fragments hit her, which caused minor wounds to four crewmen before the destroyer silenced the enemy gunfire. The ship quickly came about and made for Japanese waters, where she accomplished repairs at Sasebo (20–25 June). The destroyer returned to Wŏnsan and worked on the gunline.

The ship captured two enemy sampans and their six North Korean crewmen during the cruise, and aided in the rescue of six allied pilots. Frank E. Evans fittingly concluded her maiden deployment to the Korean War by firing what she hailed as a “21-gun salute” against selected targets in and around Wŏnsan to celebrate Independence Day on 4 July 1951. Frank E. Evans completed repairs and upkeep at Sasebo (29 July–8 August) in preparation for her voyage back to the United States. The fighting continued, however, and she returned to the gunline and steamed in Areas S and Marge (9–21 August). The following day the ship turned from the war for Yokosuka, and on the 24th charted a course for home. After a cruise of nearly 52,000 miles a tired but happy crew waved to spectators at San Diego on 4 September 1951. The destroyer spent the rest of the year in that area repairing from the rigors of the war, and in training and preparing her crew to return to the fighting.

Frank E. Evans sailed on 22 March 1952 for her second Korean tour, refueled and provisioned at Pearl Harbor (28 March–5 April) and reached Yokosuka to recover from the voyage (13–17 April). The ship then served with the fast carriers of TF 77 as they ranged along the Korean east coast. Frank E. Evans detached from the carriers fittingly on May Day (1 May) and joined Manchester (CL-83) as the duo bombarded enemy gun emplacements between Sŏngjin and Wŏnsan during the following days. Frank E. Evans peeled away from the cruiser on the 11th and rejoined the carriers until she completed upkeep and voyage repairs at Sasebo (17–24 May).

The ship followed that service by sailing on the Northern Formosa [Taiwan] Patrol (25–27 May and 31 May–4 June 1952) and Southern Formosa Patrol (27–28 May), and took a brief break for her maiden visit to Kaohsiung, Formosa [Taiwan], toward the end of the month (28–31 May). Frank E. Evans concluded her patrol along the strategic strait with brief respites at Hong Kong (8–13 June) and Kaoshiung (13–14 June and 16–17 June). Frank E. Evans returned to Sasebo to prepare for more fighting (19–20 June).

Alfred A. Cunningham, Blue, Frank E. Evans, and Walke often worked together as Task Element (TE) 95.28, led by Cmdr. Robert E. Odening, Buck’s commanding officer. Cmdr. Nelson D. Salmon, Frank E. Evans’ commanding officer, relieved Cmdr. Odening in command of TE 95.28 on 21 June 1952. Salmon detached Frank E. Evans and rendezvoused with South Korean patrol gunboat Heukjohwan (PG-22) and auxiliary motor minesweeper Gaeseong (YMS-504), and the trio also began fighting the enemy as Bombline Element, East Coast of Korea. The three ships began “night taillight patrol” north to Nan-do [Al-som], an islet ten miles off the North Korean coast. Just as they began their cruise, the anti-communist guerilla fighters of TF Kirkland suspected enemy movement in their area as the North Koreans attempted to clamp down on their clandestine activities, and requested that the destroyer fire four star shells to illuminate the night. Frank E. Evans turned and shot the four rounds, though did not spot any enemy soldiers. While the ship unleashed her guns Heukjohwan patrolled inshore south of the bombline, and Gaeseong watched the island, starting a recurring pattern.

Frank E. Evans hove to in the vicinity of the island the following morning and Salmon conferred with the islet’s commander, who remained on board to observe the day’s firing. The action heated up quickly as South Korean army spotters deployed on the beach called on the ship for help against ten enemy bunkers situated in that area. The destroyer landed her shore fire control party to work with their allies as she fired 120 anti-aircraft common and four star shells in indirect salvoes “with good results.” The battle resumed overnight and into the morning (22–23 June 1952) and Frank E. Evans shot 127 anti-aircraft common rounds (and eight white phosphorous) that inflicted observable damage on bunkers and heavy caliber gun positions in the vicinity of the front line. The ship spotted enemy soldiers on the beach that afternoon and dispersed them with some well-placed gunfire.

Frank E. Evans conducted call fire on communist 122-millimeter gun positions in the vicinity of the bombline on the 24th, but South Korean spotters reported that she failed to knock out the battery. The warship nonetheless observed some enemy troops out in the open and broke up their formation with her salvoes, and then used an aerial spotter to hurl steel into communist supply areas in the small villages of Changdo and Changeyon near Nosong, destroying 13 houses the soldiers seized for their own, and damaging eight more. Moving north to the vicinity of Chanjon, the ship destroyed eight more houses and damaged five that the enemy used to store their supplies. Frank E. Evans shot harassing and interdiction fire overnight, though with unobservable results, and shot a total of 137 anti-aircraft common, eight variable time-nonfragmenting, and 42 white phosphorous rounds. Heukjohwan and Gaeseong continued to patrol the disputed waters throughout these battles, and their vigilance enabled the destroyer to concentrate on her naval gunfire support.

Upon completing the night patrol, the ship began call fire on supply dumps in the vicinity of Kosong using South Korean spotters, though without observable results. The enemy grew aware of the spotters, however, and their mortars menaced the observation post. The ship heeded her allies’ call for help and suppressed the mortars with 5-inch salvoes. Frank E. Evans sighted a party of enemy soldiers out in the open and dispersed them with a dozen main battery projectiles. The communists decided once and for all to rid themselves of the seaward threat and, since they failed to so with their mortars, turned their 122-millimeter pieces against the South Korean observation post. They emplaced the artillery in bunkers to protect them from counter-battery fire and the spotter reported that although the ship’s bombardment silenced the guns (most likely from the concussion of the detonating shells), she failed to knock out the well dug-in positions.

South Korean spotters called her fire onto enemy bunkers and gun positions that increased their activity in the front line on 26 June 1952, though could not assess the damage because of the range and nature of the targets. An enemy mortar team returned to the fray and began to fire at the observers, and the ship swung around and blasted the mortar into silence. Later in the day the ship sighted some communist soldiers attempting to slip past her in the open near Suwan Dan and inflicted an undetermined number of casualties as she shot into them. Observing artillery fire worked both ways and Frank E. Evans turned her 40-millimeter guns against enemy troops using a small fishing settlement north of Changadee Dan as an observation and control post. Despite the range, her lighter guns tore into the position. The destroyer fired 62 high capacity, 51 anti-aircraft common, two white phosphorous, and 336 40-millimeter rounds that busy day.

Heavy morning fog and ground mist during most of the afternoon combined to limit the ship’s naval gunfire support on the 27th, and she only shot 15 high capacity and three white phosphorous shells into a 76.2-millimeter gun position without result. Heukjohwancame about for Chinhae, South Korea, early in the morning, though Gaeseong continued to patrol the area. Returning from night patrol on the 28th, Frank E. Evans relieved TE 77.18 while the latter conducted a strike against the Kojo area. Frank E. Evans shot into a supply dump north and west of Kosong and destroyed or damage five buildings believed to contain military stores, and then responded to South Korean spotters and silenced a 122-millimeter gun position. The ship’s shells touched off a secondary explosion near the gun position, and she shot 68 5-inch high capacity, 132 anti-aircraft common, and eight white phosphorous rounds in the battle.

Frank E. Evans patrolled and then (1–6 July 1952) spent Independence Day at Yokosuka. Following the yard work, she cruised Korean waters and on the 16th of July rendezvoused with the heavy cruiser Bremerton (CA-130) and resumed the task element’s coastal bombardment and blockade ranging from Wŏnsan to Hŭngnam. The ships of TE 95.28 operated within the East Coast Blockading and Patrol Group, TG 95.2, though sometimes shifted because of the necessity of undergoing voyage repairs and upkeep, refueling and provisioning, or simply giving their exhausted crews rest. Frank E. Evans lay to briefly for one such break at Tosa-wan, Shikoku, Japan (5–8 August), followed by Kobe, Honshū (8–10 August), Yokosuka (17–18 August), Sasebo on the 20th, and then (31 August–1 September) Chinhae. Frank E. Evans also embarked Rear Adm. John E. Gingrich, Commander, UN Blockade and Escort Forces, TF 95, at one point for a trip to South Korea. On the night of 4–5 September she returned to the war and shot at enemy troops at Hŭngnam and Sŏngjin. Following that thrust Frank E. Evans returned to Area S and engaged the communist troops ashore (13 September–3 October).

Cmdr. William E. Westhoff, the commanding officer of Tingey (DD-539), led the task element for a time but on the 14th of September 1952, Cmdr. Salmon relieved Westhoff.Frank E. Evans and South Korean Gilju (YMS-514) resumed patrolling the waters off Nan-do and supporting TF Kirkland between the bombline and Kojo, and attempted to control fishing in their area—North Korean fishermen fed communist troops. Helena (CA-75) and O’Brien (DD-725) pounded the enemy along the bombline, and at times Frank E. Evans and Gilju worked with them, though the latter detached more than once for other patrols. South Korean spotters of the I Corps called down 38 of the destroyer’s 5-inch shells on enemy bunkers and fighting positions on the night of 15 September, and she knocked out two of the bunkers. Sometime later some enemy vehicles attempted to drive past the area but the ship spotted and hurled nine more rounds into the column, igniting the fuel in one of the trucks into a small fire.

The following morning the ship landed her shore fire control party to work with the South Korean I Corps observers. Frank E. Evans followed their coordinated spotting and shot 22 5-inch rounds in indirect gunfire against communist troops, supply areas, and bunkers, killing and wounding some of the enemy soldiers. The anti-communist freedom fighters of TF Kirkland unceasingly fought to liberate their homeland, and the ship responded to their request and lobbed six rounds on enemy gun positions as harassing and interdiction fire that night. On the morning of the 17th she landed a second shore fire control party to relieve the first, and the American team joined their South Korean allies as they collectively spotted 60 of the ship’s 5-inch rounds onto a bridge and enemy entrenchments and fighting positions, scoring direct hits on the crossing, as well as tearing up the road and the enemy positions. Overnight she fired three harassing shells at communist billets, and more spectacularly 16 rounds at some enemy vehicles as they tried to negotiate the cratered road and shredded bridge, triggering a moderate secondary explosion followed by a bright fire. An air spotter reinforced the I Corps observers on the 18th as they directed Frank E. Evans’ gunners onto enemy troops that attempted to repair the bridge. Some 22 5-inch rounds temporarily disrupted their efforts, and the shore party returned to the ship.

Yonggung (YMS-518) relieved Gilju on 19 September 1952, and the latter turned southward for Chinhae. The fighting required additional gunfire support and Frank E. Evans followed the directions of the I Corps spotters as she shot 66 5-inch shells against enemy bunkers linked by trenches and dug into reverse slopes. Despite the sighting difficulties imposed by the intervening terrain, the ship damaged three of the bunkers, and cut some of the trenches. The communist troops began to respect the deadly naval bombardments and moved cautiously in well dispersed groups, and that night the destroyer only fired a single indirect round that likely missed her prey.

The South Koreans called for indirect fire against bunkers the following day, and the ship fired seven main battery shells but could not adjust the fire due to communication issues, and canceled the bombardment. Frank E. Evans relieved TE 77.16 of harassing and interdiction fire assignment for the night and shot 118 rounds on ten supply area and supply route targets provided by the I Corps observers. The ship carefully threaded her way through the shoals while encountering poor visibility as she closed the shore on the morning of the 21st and delivered provisions to the men of TF Kirkland. The warship opened the shoreline the following day but operated off the bombline while TE 77.1 replenished, and fired 21 5-inch rounds of indirect fire against enemy bunkers on reverse slopes, though apparently shot over the positions without effect. She then joined Toledo as they formed TE 77.18 but battled heavy weather that reduced the visibility and impeded their operations. Frank E. Evans turned over to Tingey on the 27th, and Westhoff relieved Salmon in command of the task element.

Frank E. Evans joined a powerful task force for Operation Decoy—an amphibious demonstration at Kojo (13–15 October 1952). Allied planners including Vice Adm. Robert P. Briscoe, Commander, Naval Forces, Far East, intended to lure the enemy troops into exposing themselves to attack and destruction by US forces. The stratagem did not include landing troops per se, but giving the illusion of doing so that the communists would rush reserves to the area to contain the apparent landings, only to face air strikes and naval gunfire. Decoy thus consisted of two phases, the first being a feint to draw in the enemy, and the second a raid to pound them. Joint Amphibious TF 7, Rear Adm. Francis X. McInerney, orchestrated the complex maneuvers, and at times alerts went out to elements of the XVI Corps, the 40th and 45th Infantry Divisions, 1st Cavalry Division, and 118th Regimental Combat Team for their possible deployment to Decoy. Maj. Gen. Anthony Trudeau, USA, led the troops.

The task force formed for the diversionary phase centered on the Bombardment Group, TF 71.1, comprising Bombardment Element No. 1, TE 71.11, Helena and a pair of destroyers; Bombardment Element No. 2, TE 71.12, Toledo and two destroyers; and Bombardment Element No. 3, TE 71.13, Iowa (BB-61) and Frank E. Evans; along with the Tactical Air Direction Group, TE 71.2; Beach Reconnaissance and Underwater Demolition Team Group, TE 71.3; Mine Warfare Group, TE 71.4; and the Screen Group, TE 71.5.

Mail issues delayed Frank E. Evans from receiving TF 76 Operation Plan 101(A)-52 in a timely manner, and so she protected Iowa from enemy submarines as they made for the area. The other bombardment ships pounded the enemy positions each day beginning on the 13th, but only on the following night did Iowa and Frank E. Evans finally reach the area. The destroyer borrowed a copy of the plan from the battleship and joined the other ships in shelling the enemy as she hurled 63 high capacity and some white phosphorous rounds shoreward at an observation post, a 76.2-milimeter gun emplacement, an anti-aircraft gun, and two machine gun positions. The communist guns returned fire and several rounds splashed in the water ranging from 60 to 800 feet from the ship. While the ships blasted the enemy soldiers around Kojo, the Americans encountered heavy surf as they rehearsed the landings at Kangnung [Gangneung-si] on South Korea’s east coast, which compelled them to cancel the training.

Frank E. Evans’ bridge and CIC watch teams experienced vexing interruptions from the high noise level resulting from additional voices on the ships’ circuits, but persevered in their duties. The target lists contained in TF 71 (their intrinsic plan) Operation Order 1A-52 proved too lengthy to use effectively, and the ship’s company could not determine the relative importance of the targets assigned the same priority. They thus selected the targets based upon their (apparent) threat to the warship, but Salmon reported that “this individual selection, rather than designation at a higher planning level will not be the most effective means for systematic destruction of enemy installations and forces.”

“Concur with the originator [the task force] that assignment of targets by higher command is desirable,” Capt. James H. Ward of the Seventh Fleet’s st