Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Unit:

Glider Pilot Regiment, Army Air Corps (Bexley Heath)

Awarded on:

August 16th, 1945

Citation:
"On 24th March, 1945, Staff Sergeant Evans was the first pilot of a Horsa glider taking part in the airborne assault across the Rhine, North of Wesel. After a three hour flight, the glider, in casting off, was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire and half the tailplane was shot away. The pilot remained perfectly calm and directed the glider through a thick smoke-screen to his allotted area. Even though the damage made the glider difficult to control, the pilot's main concern was to reach the appointed spot rather than land on another landing zone. Staff Sergeant Evans' coolness and skill in the air was most outstanding. Due to further anti-aircraft fire, he was forced to crash-land when within sight of his objective and without casualties to his passengers. By his determination, the load he was carrying were enabled to execute their task in the minimum time."