Henry C. Evans

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose A. "Andy" Chacon on March 10, 2007:

Henry Cotheal Evans, Jr Born August 12, 1928 - Died August 30, 2006 Henry Cotheal "Hank" Evans, Jr. was born in Baltimore, Maryland on 12 August 1928 and was appointed to West Point on a Senatorial appointment. His West Point classmates recall: "Henry, known to us as a 'man of average intelligence,' came to the Point from Baltimore. Though he had worries with studies, he proved himself more than average in making friends and in getting a job done. In sports, lacrosse kept Henry busy the year round. There may be better players but none worked harder to make the team. With his spirit and determination he need not worry about success." (The photo shows Hank and Mary Agnes.) During his cadet days Hank went out for LaCrosse all four years and earned a Monogram and was on the Debate Council all four years as well; he went out for the Concert Orchestra plebe year, was with the Spanish Club plebe and yearling years; was an Acolyte yearling, cow, and first class years; on the Ticket Committee cow and first class years; and was a Cadet Company First Sergeant his first class year. Upon graduation Hank went in the Artillery and after completing the Basic Artillery Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma reported to the Anti-Aircraft Gun Battalion at Fort Totten where he served from 1951 to 1952. Hank's next assignment was to Korea with the 40th Division where he served from 1952 to 1953 and was awarded a Commendation Ribbon. From 1959 to 1961 Hank served at Headquarters, 3rd Division Artillery and in 1962 attended the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on completion of which he was at the University of Arizona from 1962 to 1964. Next Hank went to Office Assistant Chief of Staff, Forces Command, Fort McPherson, Georgia, Department of the Army where he served until 1967 and was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. In 1967 Hank earned a Masters degree in Public Administration from the George Washington University and was then appointed Battalion Commander with the 16th Artillery and simultaneously was G5 of the 4th Division, Republic of Vietnam where he served until 1968 and was decorated with a second Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services; the Bronze Star Medal (valor) for distinguished heroism against an enemy; and two Air Medals for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in aerial flight. On return to stateside Hank went to Headquarters, Army Combat Development Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia where he served from 1968 to 1969 when he was selected to attend the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort Lesley McNair with the resident class of 1970. Hank's next assignment was to ODDRE where he served from 1970 to 1971 when he was named Commanding Officer of the 559th Artillery Group in Italy and served until 1974. Next Hank went to Headquarters, United States Army Reserve Europe where he served until 1975 when he accepted his last military assignment with the Office, Joint Chiefs of Staff where he served from 1975 to 1977 when he retired from the United States Army as a Colonel. On retirement Hank accepted a position as Project Manager with Jacor until 1983 when he went with R & D Associates and was with them until 1985 when he was named a Senior Engineer with Martin Marietta in 1985. In 1990 Hank went back to school and earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Denver. Hank and his wife Mary Agnes made their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado. However, they moved to Baltimore in 2002. The May 1995 Assembly noted, "Hank Evans retired from Martin Marietta in August 1994 after commuting between Orlando and Livermore Labs every week. It finally wore him down; he had a pacemaker installed last May. Hank and Agnes were sitting grandchildren so that daughter Edith could join her husband Bob Hyatt, Jr. son of Bob and Tinky Hyatt, on a business trip." Hank died on August 30, 2006 of cancer. Frank Hamilton reported as follows on 9-29-06: Dear Classmates: Hank Evans' daughter, Betsy Evans Holzner, sent me the poem below which she wrote and will recite at Hank's funeral service at the Old Post Chapel at Ft. Myer. She has given me permission to send it to the class in advance of the service. Should any wish to contact her, her email is sean_hardner@sbcglobal.net. (There's an underscore between 'sean' and 'hardner'.) Grip Hands, Frank A Tradition of Ballad and Song A family tradition, as the ballad continues, we mourn today a soldier's song. A voice, a hero, who fought for peace, who knew the price of freedom's ring. His duty, protecting and defending came first, always with truth, with honor, and with pride. Now he lies draped with stars and stripes of red, white, and blue. He was groomed to stand upon his father's stars, a General of two world wars. A story of decoy in enemy's firing rounds, an oath, his men called to safety first. Like his forefather, Colonel Henry Cotheal Evans Jr., a leader from birth, a person of decision. He now lies draped in stars and stripes of red, white, and blue. He stepped upon Georgetown University's ivy lined stairs at seventeen, a premed. Then appointed, to march upon cobblestones with Cadets of elite. He was graduated from West Point Military Academy in the year of nineteen fifty-one. He lies draped with stars and stripes of red, white, and blue. From Korea, to Vietnam, to the Cold War, to Star Wars, to back and forth from beyond. A drummer's echo still beats the rhythm of his untold stories of wartime, memories of past. Today, he is dressed in his army full blues, his medals shine, as a bugle calls for taps. Now he lies draped in stars and stripes of red, white, and blue. A lifetime learner, Degrees and Masters hang upon the walls, a hallmark of a scholar. Two Bachelor of Science degrees, Aeronautical Engineering, an MBA, Telecommunications, A graduate with honors from the Industrial War College in Washington, D.C. He worked with countries around the world, developing the self propelling Howitzer. A scholar, he is draped in stars and stripes of red, white, and blue. His family moved in hum, twenty-one times from west to east, following the rhythm of the sun. In tour, over the Atlantic, landing in Italy, ciao! Rolling into Germany, gutenmorgen! Now riding on caisson followed by riderless horse, moving closer to an eternity among the best. The sound of cannon echoes from across the Potomac, As he is draped with stars and stripes of red, white, and blue. As a boy, he trained pigeons in code, honed to return. Then he turned to dogs, agility, intelligence to test. Scotch was first to toast, Ruff flew in helicopters in fields of battle, Shami was awarded a bouquet, The best in show at the Gardens. Daisy his last, still awaits his arrival. She was a private enlistment, His most faithful soldier. Her ears upright, creased at full salute, barking at bellowing flag at half mast. Guards with precision, fold the flag in his honor, for the last time, Stars and stripes, in red, white, and blue. As I write a lifetime of words across the page, a generation of ballad and song is continued. An officer, a father, a deacon, a husband, a friend. His voice is not whispered but carried forward. Passing history, memorializing a war hero, remembering through pen and ink. Hawk in dovetail crest above, encircling freedom's song, protecting truth, our country, as I entrust. Today, Colonel Henry Cotheal Evans Jr. is draped with the American flag, Stars and stripes of red, white, and blue. With all my love, I say Adieu. Written by, Betsy Evans Holzner October 31, 2006" The poem by Betsy has been added to Hank's eulogy with Betsy's consent. ufa For a poem by Betsy on the Iraqi war click on: Click Here for Poem

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