PFC Leonard Evans USMC

PFC Leonard Evans USMC

Killed in Action, 7 March 1945

Aged 24

Leonard Brown Evans entered the Marine Corps in September 1941 at 20 years old. After completing Boot Camp at Parris Island, Evans was sent to Naval Operating Base Iceland, where he was assigned to the Marine Barracks from July 1942 to November 1943. This was an unusual time for a Marine to have served there, as it was after the more well-known tenure of the 1st Provisional Brigade. In this role, Evans would have helped guard the Naval Base and then later served with the Iceland Base Command of the US Army, as they helped build up men and material for the invasion of Europe.

Evans was later assigned to 3d Battalion, 9th Marines in October 1944 and sent to the Pacific.
In February 1945, alongside his fellow Marines, Evans was engaged with Japanese forces on Iwo Jima. He was killed in action from a gunshot wound to the head on 7 March 1945. Evans' widow would receive this Purple Heart Medal which was awarded to his family posthumously.