Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

The Navy Department Library

Related Content
Sources

Adapted from "Captain Adelbert Ray Evers, United States Navy" [biography, dated 11 June 1962] in Modern Biographical Files collection, Navy Department Library.

Topic
  • Ordnance and Weapons
  • Operations
  • Awards and Medals
  • Occupations-jobs--Astronaut
Document Type
  • Biography
Wars & Conflicts
  • World War II 1939-1945
File Formats
Location of Archival Materials
  • NHHC-Library

Adelbert Ray Evers

28 September 1914-[no death date]

PDF Version [90KB]

Adelbert Ray Evers was born in Dayton, Ohio, on September 28, 1914, son of A.D. and Elizabeth (Swandener Evers. He attended Benjamin Franklin high school in Los Angeles, California, and received the Associate Degree of Arts from Los Angeles City College. Prior to entering active Naval Service, he was employed by the Electrical Construction Company of Los Angeles. On December 15, 1940 he enrolled in the V-7 Reserve Midshipman’s School at the USNaval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, and upon graduation was commissioned Ensign in the USNaval Reserve, May 15, 1941. Advancing progressively in rank, he subsequently attained that of Captain, to date from July 1, 1960, having transferred from the Naval Reserve to the Regular Navy on September 2, 1946.

After receiving his commission in May 1941, he reported the next month on board USS Rigel and was serving in that repair ship, undergoing alterations at Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, when the Japanese attacked the Naval Base there on December 7, 1941. In March 1942 he transferred to USS Caldwell to serve as Engineer Officer, Gunnery Officer, First Lieutenant and Executive Officer during the Aleutian, Marshalls, Gilberts, Hollandia, Leyte and Borneo operations and in the 1943 and 1944 Asiatic-Pacific raids. “For heroic service as Engineer Officer on board USS Caldwell during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands on December 12, 1944…” he was awarded the Bronze Star medal with Combat “V.” The citation further states in part:

“ Rendering valuable service when his ship was seriously damaged during an aerial attacked, (he) directed the work of fighting raging fires and, after he himself had been wounded, courageously made a tour of the entire damaged area to secure information that aided in the taking of proper measures to save his ship…” He was also awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received during this action.

Detached from the Caldwell in July 1945, he next attended the General Line School, and in June 1946 joined USS Massey as Executive Officer. In August 1947 he assumed command of USS Muir and from May 1948 to June 1951 served as Anti-Submarine Warfare Tactical Officer and Training Officer with the Surface Anti- Submarine Development Detachment. He next command USS Robinson and in July 1952 reported as Anti- Submarine Warfare Training Officer on the staff of Commander Training Command, Atlantic. He was assigned to USS Helena during the period January 1955 to July 1956, when he assumed command of USS Everett. F. Larson.

Returning to duty ashore, he served in the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Navy department, Washington, DC, between May 1958 and March 1960, when he became Commander Destroyer Division TWENTY-TWO. In June 1961 he reported as Chief of Staff and Aide to Commander Cruiser Division FOUR.

In addition to the Bronze Star medal with Combat “V,” and the Purple Heart Medal, Captain Evers has the American Defense Service Medal Bronze “A”; American Campaign Medal; Asia- Pacific Campaign Medal with on Silver Star and four bronze stars (nine operations); World War II Victory Medal; National Defense Service Medal; and the Philippine Liberation ribbon with one star.

END 

Published: Fri Apr 24 08:10:36 EDT 2020