Muskogee war hero to have destroyer named in his honor; Cmdr. Ernest E. Evans | Thanksgiving
Posted on 16 November 2023
Release from the Secretary of the Navy Public Affairs
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15 November 2023
Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Carlos Del Toro announced, today, that a DDG 51 Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer will be named after World War II hero Ernest E. Evans, the first Native American in the Navy to earn the Medal of Honor and one of only two World War II destroyer captains to attain it.
Secretary Del Toro made the announcement during Native American Heritage month. Additionally, Secretary Del Toro announced that the ship’s sponsor will be U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary.
“Since our nation’s founding, Native Americans, such as Ernest Evans, have volunteered to serve in our armed services. From the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I and II, to Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, Native Americans have fought with honor and distinction to preserve our union and defend our ideals of freedom and democracy, even during periods where they were not recognized as citizens of our country,” said Secretary Del Toro.”
“Today, we honor Commander Ernest Evans for his courage and ultimate sacrifice,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “While this nation has not always welcomed them, Native Americans have consistently and honorably served in disproportionately high rates across the Armed Forces to keep us safe at home and abroad. As we honor Commander Evans with this stunning vessel, we also honor the service of Indigenous servicemembers nationwide, past and present. Native American history is American history, and today’s designation ensures that our story continues to be told.”
Ernest Edwin Evans was born on Aug. 13, 1908, in Pawnee, Oklahoma. He graduated from Central High School in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 29, 1926. After a years’ enlisted service, he was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy, entered as a midshipman, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in June 1931.
Evans spent his first decade of service in San Diego, Pensacola, and aboard seven ships. He was serving on his eighth in the East Indies when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, thrusting the U.S. into World War II.
In 1943, Cmdr. Evans assumed command of the USS Johnston, serving as its only commanding officer. During the commissioning ceremony, Cmdr. Evans reportedly told his crew and the audience assembled, “This is going to be a fighting ship. I intend to go in harm’s way, and anyone who doesn’t want to go along had better get off right now.”
Oct. 25, 1944, off the coast of the Philippines, Cmdr. Evans and the crew of the USS Johnston found themselves in harm’s way during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. On that day, Cmdr. Evans and his fellow destroyer captains launched an offensive attack against overwhelming odds against a much larger Japanese naval force, with the USS Johnston in the lead. Not waiting for orders, Evans commanded the crew to begin a torpedo run, drawing fire away from the carriers, directly taking hits from three powerful 14-inch guns. Despite severe damage to his ship and his own wounds from Japanese fire, he repeatedly put the USS Johnston between the enemy and more vulnerable U.S. ships, saving the lives of thousands of his fellow Sailors.
Ultimately, the USS Johnston was lost during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, with Cmdr. Evans going down with his ship. For his leadership and selfless service in the face of a superior enemy force, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
“And I am honored to announce that, in recognition of his heroic actions, our Navy will once again welcome a USS Ernest E. Evans into our fleet once again, as his name will adorn our future Arleigh Burke Flight III class destroyer DDG-141,” said Secretary Del Toro.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, Cmdr. Evans had the China Service Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp, and was entitled to the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with six engagement stars, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Philippine Defense and Liberation Ribbons with the one star.
A destroyer escort vessel, USS Evans (DE 1023), was named in honor of Cmdr. Evans. Mrs. Hugh Hendrickson of Tulsa, Oklahoma, sister to Cmdr. Evans, sponsored the vessel at the launching at the Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company, Seattle, Washington, on Sept. 14, 1955.
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From : ME,
To : All Who Enters Here,
Oh, You know I can’t leave it at that……..
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Posted on November 20, 2023, in Current News, Home Front, Uncategorized and tagged Cmdr. Ernest Evans, family history, History, Military, Military History, Navy, Thanksgiving, Tributes, USA, veterans. Bookmark the permalink. 127 Comments.
Thanks for posting. Never knew about this guy.
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It is difficult to get all the stories on one blog, but i felt this one needed to be told.
Thank you, John.
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An appropriate honor.
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Agreed, Joy. Thank you.
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Such a sad story. This is a lovely tribute, GP. Hugs.
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Thank you for reading it, Teagan. I appreciate your visit a great deal.
Take care.
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GP,
Would you be interested in a post on my father’s Crossing the Line initiation in September, 1945? I have found pictures I think your readers would enjoy seeing. You posted his account of the battle of Okinawa in 2018.
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Most certainly, Mike. All stories from our veterans, especially when you have photos – love it!
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Great! How do you want me to send the post and pix to you?
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If you put a post up, I will reblog it. That way your site gets the attention too. Introduce us to your father, explain what the pictures are about, etc. I will happily reblog it and my readers will see the story as well as yours.
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GP,
It’s up. Thank you!
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It is outstanding, Mike. I will reblog it tomorrow.
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Very honorable!
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Thank you. Cmdr. Evans deserves to be remembered.
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👏For sure, and to the entire squadron. ♥️☕️☕️
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That was quite a generation!
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Happy thanksgiving weekend to you GP xxx
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Thank you very much, Charlotte.
I hope your plans for the holidays are in full swing. Family time?
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Yes, a three day concert, preparing two other concerts, a trip to Romania, then its my Dad’s birthday, family get together, then a wiz around to all my friends, sadly one of my best friends has breast cancer so I want to make time for her and her children this Christmas the last time I was with her was in hospital having her first stage of chemotherapy. I’m going to have to hit the online shopping soon I’ve not bought any gifts yet!
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So thoughtful of you to make time, not only for your own family, but a friend’s time of need. You will be very busy, so make sure to take care of yourself as well.
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A wonderful story and tribute. I learn something new every time I come here
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Well now, that sure makes me happy!
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Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Glad to hear Commander Ernest Evans got a destroyer named in his honor. He did a valiant fight during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. I’m having computer issues so I decided to switch to another internet provider and it got worst. I can’t even print.
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I’m sorry to hear that. I so enjoy your history posts on the P.I. I hope things improve for you soon.
Thank you for visiting and that you had an excellent Thanksgiving!
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Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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Thank you, Robbye. I hope you are have a great weekend.
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Thank you.
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Happy Thanksgiving!
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Ditto there, Bunkerville.
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Thanks for posting and I hope you have a great Thanksgiving. I know you are thankful. Commander Evans was of Cherokee and Creek ancestry.
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God Bless Cmdr. Evans, wish he could be here with us.
Thank you!
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Thank you again for the history lesson, and for honoring Ernest Edwin Evans here, GP!
Enjoy Thanksgiving day, my friend.
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And you as well!
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It’s nice that Native Americans, those who offered their services are now being recognized for it.
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Yes, it is, Mary Lou. Thank you very much.
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Thanksgiving.
Giving thanks.
For so many that gave it all.
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Exactly! Thank you!
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What an outstanding character of this man
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Thank you, Maria.
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I’m so glad he’s being honored this way. And happy Thanksgiving!
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Thank you. Have a great Holiday!
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Love the funnies!
Happy Turkey Day, GP!
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Thank you, Dolly!
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😻
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Thanks for the interesting stories.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Thank you, Anne. I hope you have a wonderful week!
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Off topic, but you might appreciate this documentary on Günther Rall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wlu6lS0-WgY
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Looks interesting. I’ll take a look as I am not all that versed in the ETO part of the war.
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It is an informative doc with not just Rall, but Hub Zemke, “Shorty” Rankin, (both USAAF pilots) and other persons. It offers a background many are ignorant of, pertaining to why the German public embraced Hitler, and were drawn into the second world war.
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Thank you.
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I respect your refusal to accept e mail; there are many commonalities we share; in particular being more focused on the Pacific theater; however, the ETO has a personal significance which I’d share them with you, but I’m not prepared to share them on the web. So only with your permission I’d contact you via e-mail.
P.S. There is only a very vague reason (at 1:16:52) in the doc as to why and how the Russians were able to not only absorb horrific losses, but grow in strength. It is the only serious error in the entire documentary. Thanks, and take care, “X”
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Much deserved honor, the ship he commanded should be another ship in this flight
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Thank you very much, Charles!
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Nice to know he is being honored for his brave service.
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Thank you, Bev. He more than deserved it!
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This story makes me swell with pride. Evans did the right thing, what he knew he needed to do. What a role model.
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Incredible ethos.
Where did it go?
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I know what you mean. My philosophy? When families separate and kids move away after they grow up, there is no real family support and also accountability. Also, when women have to work it tears at the fabric of family ethos. Those two big changes since WWII, and the press today, have pitted away our character.
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That is a well thought response, Jennie. And I feel you’re quite right.
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Thank you, Pete. I’ve thought that for a long time.
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Sorry, GP. I just finished replying to Pete and here I called you Pete. Sheesh!
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No problem, You should see some of the typos I’ve done, duh 🤪
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Thanks, I feel better!
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Thank you for sharing, GP. A wonderful message for this week. Happy Thanksgiving!
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And the same to you, Monica. I appreciate your visit.
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A well-deserved honor!!
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Thank you, Liz!!
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You’re welcome, GP!
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In a sense, this is a thanksgiving post, GP. It’s a reminder to give thanks for the men and women who have been willing to give their lives in order to ensure safe and happy holidays for us.
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Thank you very much, Linda. I appreciate your sentiment!!
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So inspiring! Such a brave wonderful man! Thank you for sharing this, GP!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I will, especially, be taking time to thank, and say prayers for, our veterans and our current military personnel this week.
(((HUGS))) ❤️🦃🍎🍇🍂❤️
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Thank you for being you and I hope you and yours have a great Thanksgiving!
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🙂 ❤️ Thank you! ❤️ 🙂
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A very nice tribute and very brave man..Anita
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Thank you very much, Anita!
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GP, Happy Thanksgiving. Love the ‘toons and the honor bestowed upon CDR Evans. Not sure what happened to my first comment (didn’t think it was offensive.)
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I checked my comment list and could not find another one from you until my previous post – I sure would not have deleted your comment!
(Even if it was offensive, you have a right to your opinion).
Thank you and I hope you have a pleasant one as well.
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Interesting. I wrote the other comment from the computer where I volunteer and when I checked it there later, it showed still awaiting approval. When I got home and checked from my computer, it had disappeared. I’m going to guess it was the strange computer that may somehow have been the culprit. Thanks for checking and letting me know.
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I hope so, because I do not have any comments pending. But then again, who knows what glitches hide between wordpress’ updates.
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WP is one step forward, two steps back. Same with cellphone upgrades. 😉🤪
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GP, thank you for sharing this post. I would have never known about this. Commander Evans was an inspiration to us all. Thanks and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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Thank you, Tim. I wish you and yours the same.
I appreciate you reading this article.
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An excellent honor for a very brave man. Thanks for sharing the story, GP. Happy Thanksgiving to you.
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Thank you, John. And wishing you and your family all the very best Thursday!!
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😁
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Commander Evans certainly deserves the honor and recognition, even if he hadn’t died in the “last stand of the tin-can sailors.” He led his crew into a battle which he told them was “a fight against overwhelming odds from which survival cannot be expected. “
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Very well said, Tim. By chance, have you read that book? One incredible story!!
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I haven’t read it, GP, just came across it while looking into Evans. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
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Hoping you have a great Thanksgiving, GP.
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Thank you, Lee. I will be quiet.
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Well deserved honor. Happy Thanksgiving, GP
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Thank you very much, Dan – for both comments!
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What a brave and selfless man.
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Thank you, Helen! He indeed deserves this recognition!
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Such inspirational words. Thank you.
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My pleasure, Jacqui. As soon as I read the notice, I knew I had to share it. I knew of Cmdr. Evans from my research on the battle that took his life.
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This is a good tribute to a brave man indeed, and probably not before time. I hope it gives Native Americans another reason to be proud of their history of service in the armed forces.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I sincerely agree with you, Pete! Thank you for commenting your feelings on the article.
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Thanks for sharing this tribute to the commander’s bravery and dedication to duty, honor and country.
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As soon as I received the notice, I knew I had to share it. Thank you.
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This is marvellous news, just marvellous! A century or more ago, who would have thought that anything like it would ever have happened?
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Isn’t that the truth, John!! Thank you very much for such a response!
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My pleasure! I always like to see the little guy achieve something wonderful!
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Amen!
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I hope Tuberville will not affect this tribute.
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I certainly hope not. I can not think of anything he could come up with as a reason to stop it.
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That’s so cool! Happy to hear the dedication is to an appropriate individual
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Thank you – I so agree!
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Wonderful post for this Thanksgiving week! Thank you, GP, for sharing this hallowed news with all of us. 🌟
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I debated on just doing a Thanksgiving post, but I couldn’t let this new slide away.
Thank you, Gwen.
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Very good news and a very nice tribute. You know those ships are there to protect the carriers, but you rarely hear about this aspect of carrying out that mission.
I loved the cartoons today, GP. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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Thank you, Dan, and you as well.
I’m glad I gave you a smile with the cartoons.
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Commander Evans epitomized the ideal of going above and beyond the call of duty.
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The epitome of that generation – I agree!
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Wonderful tribute for Commander Ernest Evans and his family.
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I totally agree!!
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♥️
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Yay! At long last
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Terrific! Great response, Beth!
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Wonderful tribute to Cmdr Evans, and loving the funnies!
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Thank you, Fraggle!!
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Such a fitting tribute for a very brave man
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Thank you, Derrick.
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Thank you, Ned.
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Thank you, Mustang!
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