06/04/2026
Today, on the 84th anniversary of the Battle of Midway, we honor the legacy of those who gave everything. At NSWC Crane, history is personal. One of our contracting employees remembers their uncle, Ensign William Robinson Evans Jr., who was Killed In Action on this day in 1942.
An Indianapolis native destined for medical school, Ensign Evans instead enlisted in 1940, joining Torpedo Squadron Eight aboard the USS Hornet. At just 23, he was the youngest in his squadron. During the battle, knowing they lacked the fuel to return, the squadron bravely engaged the Japanese fleet. All planes were lost, with only one survivor.
Declared KIA over a year later, Ensign Evans was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, Gold Star, and Presidential Unit Citation. In his final letter, he wrote: "My luck can’t hold out much longer, but the flame goes on and on—that is important." Today, we ensure that flame continues to burn.
Read more about Ensign Evans at U.S. Naval Institute's website: https://www.usni.org/WilliamRobinsonEvans?utm_source=naval%20surface%20warfare%20center%2C%20crane%20division&utm_medium=facebook&utm_term=47b3c4f5-9f9d-40f3-aa12-f27d401c6114&utm_content=&utm_campaign=