THE WALL OF FACES

A1C John H. Evans Jr. served with the 35th Security Police Squadron, 35th Combat Support Group, 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force. Four months after arriving in Vietnam, at 8:40 AM on August 7, 1970, Evans was found unresponsive in the transient billets at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base in Khanh Hoa Province, RVN. His body was transported to the 483rd U.S. Air Force Hospital on base where medical staff declared him dead. A chaplain present administered last rights. The cause of death was initially reported as “unknown.” In October 2023, a request to the National Archives in St. Louis, MO, for Evans’ Individual Deceased Personnel File resulted in very few details about his death. A similar request to the archivist at the Air Force Historical Research Agency at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama met with the same results, indicating the U.S. Air Force is reluctant to provided information on the loss. When Evans died, U.S. servicemen in Vietnam were in the grips of a heroin epidemic. A May 16, 1971, New York Times article described heroin use by American troops had reached epidemic proportions. The piece reported that 10 to 15 percent of lower-ranking enlisted men were heroin users, and military officials working in drug‐suppression estimated that as much as a quarter of all enlisted personnel, more than 60,000 men, were hooked. They added that some field surveys reported units with more than 50 percent of the men on heroin. At the time of his death, the Air Force had Evans on Administrative Freeze due to an inquiry being conducted by the Department of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. It is unclear what Evans was being investigated for; however, the previous July he had been reduced in rank and forced to forfeit $45.00 in pay for two pay periods after receiving an Article 15 for offense(s) committed. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “G.I. Heroin Addiction Epidemic in Vietnam.” New York Times (New York, NY), May 16, 1971]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Airman First Class John Harper Evans Jr., Served with the 35th Security Police Squadron, 35th Combat Support Group, 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force.

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace AMN. Evans, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family.