Ernest E. Evans and USS Johnston's Last Stand at Leyte Gulf

Oct 26 , 2025

Ernest E. Evans and USS Johnston's Last Stand at Leyte Gulf

The sea churned with fire and steel—explosions ripping through the dawn mist. The USS Evarts was sinking, but commanding Destroyer Escort Ernest E. Evans was still ordering guns to fire, engines full throttle, charging the enemy fleet like a lion to the slaughter. The Japanese battleships and cruisers bore down with overwhelming weight, but Evans—wounded and relentless—held the line. He was the storm’s calm fury.

The Backbone of Honor and Faith

Born in December 1908 in Pawnee City, Nebraska, Ernest E. Evans was shaped by hard Midwestern grit and a deep, unwavering faith. A graduate of the Naval Academy in 1931, he carved a career from discipline and relentless duty. He often carried scripture close, a silent anchor amid chaos. "Be strong and courageous," he might have remembered from Joshua—a command he lived by in the darkest hours.

Evans was known not just for strategic minds but a fierce personal code. His men respected him because he did not just give orders—he shared risks, dangers, and doubts. His leadership was rooted in sacrifice and service, not rank.

The Battle That Forged Legend

October 25, 1944—Battle off Samar, Leyte Gulf. The morning sun rose on a nightmare for the lightly armed Task Unit 77.4.3 ("Taffy 3"). Japanese Center Force, with battleships Yamato and Nagato among others, thundered through the waves like an iron wall.

Evans commanded the USS Johnston (DD-557), a destroyer with just five 5-inch guns and a motley crew facing ships with guns that could shell cities. Outgunned and outmatched, the Johnston steamed headlong into the inferno.

He ordered aggressive torpedo attacks that sowed confusion in the Japanese ranks. At one point, the Johnston launched a daring torpedo barrage directly under the enemy flagship Yamato. The chaos blurred friend and foe, but Evans’s iron will held.

Despite taking three hits that crippled the ship and mortally wounded Evans himself, he refused to abandon his men or retreat. His final radio transmission was a grim call to stay in the fight, echoing his creed of no surrender. Minutes after, the Johnston was lost with nearly all hands.

Recognition Carved in Steel and Blood

Evans posthumously received the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepid leadership. The official citation reads:

“For extraordinary heroism... in the face of almost insurmountable odds, [he] maneuvered his ship in a series of attacks against heavy enemy warships deeply outgunning and outnumbering his vessel. His bold and aggressive fighting spirit and determination were instrumental in saving the remainder of his task unit from almost certain destruction.”

Admiral William “Bull” Halsey called Evans’s actions "one of the most remarkable performances of combat leadership seen during the entire war."[1] His sacrifice bought precious time crucial to the success of the Leyte invasion.

Comrades remembered him as fearless and selfless. Lieutenant Commander Robert W. Copeland, leader of the nearby USS Samuel B. Roberts, credited Evans’s intrepid assault for inspiring the entire task unit to turn a desperate stand into a legendary stand.

Legacy Etched in Fire and Faith

Evans’s story is not just history; it’s a raw lesson in courage and sacrifice. He reminds every soldier, sailor, and citizen that sometimes, the odds are brutal—and choosing to fight anyway defines the soul.

His faith, commitment to men, and final actions echo the Scriptures:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9

Ernest E. Evans did not survive the battle, but his spirit and sacrifice resonate still. In an age longing for heroes, his story demands we acknowledge the cost of freedom and the price of courage.

Honor every scar. Remember every sacrifice. Carry the legacy forward—as fierce, fearless, and faithful as Ernest E. Evans.

Sources

1. Naval History and Heritage Command, Medal of Honor Citation: Ernest E. Evans 2. Morison, Samuel Eliot. Leyte, June 1944 – January 1945, History of United States Naval Operations in World War II 3. Hornfischer, James D. The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors