Rodney John Evans
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

Sergeant Rodney John Evans was a soldier in the U.S. Army's 1st Battalion of the 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. Evans was killed in action in Tay Ninh Province during the Vietnam War. He died protecting other members of his unit from a concealed land mine using his body as a shield. For his heroic action he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Rodney John Evans was born on 17 July 1948, in Chelsea, MA. He was the adopted son of the Evans family of Florala, AL. His parents owned a dry cleaning business. After joining the U.S. Army, Rodney Evans married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Geohagan. Rodney was then sent to Vietnam and successfully completed a full tour of duty.

Upon his return to the U.S. he was stationed at Fort Rucker, AL, not far from where he grew up. Due to financial constraints his wife lived with her parents and would drive up to Fort Rucker on weekends to pick him up and take him home.

On Thursday, 5 September 1968, Barbara Evans was killed in a car accident after the accelerator on her car became stuck while traveling to Fort Rucker. Rodney became very depressed, re-enlisted, and volunteered for another tour in Vietnam.

Once back in Vietnam, Evans gained a reputation for taking great risks in order to protect the men under his command.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division.

Place and date: Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam, 18 July 1969.

Entered service at: Montgomery, AL. Born: 17 July 1948, Chelsea, MA.

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Evans distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism while serving as a squad leader in a reconnaissance sweep through heavy vegetation to reconnoiter a strong enemy position. As the force approached a well-defined trail, the platoon scout warned that the trail was booby-trapped. Sgt. Evans led his squad on a route parallel to the trail. The force had started to move forward when a nearby squad was hit by the blast of a concealed mine. Looking to his right Sgt. Evans saw a second enemy device. With complete disregard for his safety he shouted a warning to his men, dived to the ground and crawled toward the mine. Just as he reached it an enemy soldier detonated the explosive and Sgt. Evans absorbed the full impact with his body. His gallant and selfless action saved his comrades from probable death or injury and served as an inspiration to his entire unit. Sgt. Evans' gallantry in action at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Rodney Evan's name is inscribed on Panel 20W - Row 014.

Namesakes

• A street was named in Rodney Evans honor in his home town of Florala, AL.
• A Softball Complex at Fort Hood, TX, the current home of the 1st Cavalry Division, was named in Rodney Evans honor.

Death and Burial

Sergeant Rodney John Evans was killed in action on 18 July 1969, one day after his twenty-first birthday. He is buried at Liberty Hill Church Cemetery in Florala, AL.