Ivor Parry Evans
Encyclopedia
Ivor Parry Evans was a bombardier on B-25 aircraft in the U.S. Army Air Corps in North Africa, Italy, and Corsica during World War II. He was decorated for actions during the Battle of Anzio in early 1944, and received the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross
and Air Medal
. After the war he served as bombardier on B-36 aircraft and radar navigator on B-52 aircraft in the Strategic Air Command
in addition to being the winner of the 1955 SAC bombing competition and later Base commander, Walker Air Force Base
, Roswell, New Mexico
.
Evans was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
for his attack upon a railroad bridge near Attigliano, Italy on April 17, 1944.
. As such, he and his crew won the 1955 bombing competition for all of SAC. He was Assistant Director of Operations for the 821st Air Division at Ellsworth Air Force Base
, during the Cuban missile crisis
. He later became Base Commander of Walker Air Force Base
in Roswell
, New Mexico from 1963 to 1965.
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
and Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
. After the war he served as bombardier on B-36 aircraft and radar navigator on B-52 aircraft in the Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
in addition to being the winner of the 1955 SAC bombing competition and later Base commander, Walker Air Force Base
Walker Air Force Base
Walker Air Force Base is a closed United States Air Force base located three miles south of the central business district of Roswell, a city in Chaves County, New Mexico, US...
, Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell is a city in and the county seat of Chaves County in the southeastern quarter of the state of New Mexico, United States. The population was 48,366 at the 2010 census. It is a center for irrigation farming, dairying, ranching, manufacturing, distribution, and petroleum production. It is also...
.
Awards
Evans was awarded the Air Medal by Headquarters of Twelfth Air Force while serving as a First Lieutenant in the 321st Bombardment Group (Medium). The citation reads:For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as bombardier of a B-25 type aircraft. On 30 January 1944, Lieutenant Evans flew as lead bombardier of a thirty-three plane formation attacking a road junction at Genzano, near AnzioAnzioAnzio is a city and comune on the coast of the Lazio region of Italy, about south of Rome.Well known for its seaside harbour setting, it is a fishing port and a departure point for ferries and hydroplanes to the Pontine Islands of Ponza, Palmarola and Ventotene...
beach, Italy. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire which heavily damaged his airplane upon the approach to the target, Lieutenant Evans, displaying outstanding courage and professional skill, directed his pilot on a perfect run over the objective, thereby enabling the formation to release its bombs with devastating effect upon this vital link in enemy communication lines. His proficiency in combat reflects great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.
Evans was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
for his attack upon a railroad bridge near Attigliano, Italy on April 17, 1944.
Postwar career
Ivor Evans remained in the military and had a distinguished thirty year career as a U.S. Air Force officer. He was a bombardier on B-36 aircraft in the Strategic Air CommandStrategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
. As such, he and his crew won the 1955 bombing competition for all of SAC. He was Assistant Director of Operations for the 821st Air Division at Ellsworth Air Force Base
Ellsworth Air Force Base
Ellsworth Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately northeast of Rapid City, South Dakota just north of Box Elder, South Dakota....
, during the Cuban missile crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...
. He later became Base Commander of Walker Air Force Base
Walker Air Force Base
Walker Air Force Base is a closed United States Air Force base located three miles south of the central business district of Roswell, a city in Chaves County, New Mexico, US...
in Roswell
Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell is a city in and the county seat of Chaves County in the southeastern quarter of the state of New Mexico, United States. The population was 48,366 at the 2010 census. It is a center for irrigation farming, dairying, ranching, manufacturing, distribution, and petroleum production. It is also...
, New Mexico from 1963 to 1965.