Benjamin Franklin Evans, III
Cullum No. 23280
Died 26 October 1983 in Washington, D.C.
aged 46 years. 
Interment: West Point Cemetery, West Point, New York

 Benny was born at fort Sam Houston, Texas on 12 March 1937 and was raised in the nomadic life style of an Army “brat.”  When he was nine, his father was assigned to the Tactical Department at West Point.  During this period (the Blanchard, Tucker, Davis era) Benny’s love of sports and admiration for the cadets he met kindled a desire to later attend the Academy.  After graduating from high school, Benny enlisted in the regular Army and attended the West Point Preparatory School at Fort Stewart, New York.  He subsequently received an appointment from the enlisted ranks and entered USMA 3 July 1956. 

He was a good athlete devoting his efforts primarily to hockey.  He was a playing member plebe year, assistant manager of the varsity team the next two years and manager of the varsity first class year.  He was also the manager of the 1960 United States Olympic hockey team during the time it trained at West Point.  Benny was also a member of the soccer and golf teams his plebe year and soccer his yearling year.  In addition to athletics, he was also active on the Debate Council and Forum, the German Club, and the Special Program Committee.  As a cadet he didn’t set the academic world on fire.  He was “turned out” each semester of plebe year and in three subjects the second semester of yearling year.  It didn’t seem possible that he could remain at the Academy as the odds of passing three “turnout writs” were terribly slim.  He refused, however, to give up.  His courage, his pride and belief in himself and in the ideals of West Point enabled him to overcome this academic obstacle and continue on to graduate with his class.

Benny was a warm, friendly, gentle human being who enjoyed West Point in spite of the academic pressures.  He also was a fun-loving person with a sense of humor, who did not take the system too seriously, resulting in frequent tours on the area or hours confined to quarters.

Upon graduation 8 June 1960, Benny was commissioned in the Infantry and attended the Infantry School at Fort Benning, completing the Airborne and Ranger courses.  His first permanent assignment was as an infantry platoon leader with the 1st Brigade, 35th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.  Benny’s training was concentrated in counter-insurgency and jungle warfare, terms that took on added significance as more and more senior lieutenants were sent from Hawaii to train Ranger battalions in a far away place called South Vietnam.  Following three pleasant years with the 25th Division, he returned to the United States and was assigned for two years as a tactics instructor at the Medical Field Service School, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. 

The lessons of his early training were soon put to use as Benny was assigned to Vietnam in 1965 as the senior advisor to the 30th Ranger Battalion.  Subsequently, on two occasions he volunteered and was accepted for duty in Vietnam (1968-1969, 1971-1972).  During his service in Vietnam, Benny was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal and Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.

Although not a good student in the true sense of the word, Benny had a common sense, practical approach to planning and problem solving.  This talent was recognized as attested to by his continuing assignment to  planning positions.  After his first tour in Vietnam, he was assigned to West Point as the plans and training officer of the 1st Battalion, 1st Infantry.  After his second tour, he was the plans and training officer of the Army Training Center, Fort Ord, California, and upon his return to the States after his third tour in Vietnam, he was assigned to Headquarters, Third Army, Fort McPherson as the plans and project officer for the reorganization and activation of the new United States Army Forces Command.  After completing his mission at Fort McPherson, Benny resigned his commission in the Army on 7 January 1974. He joined Conti-Commodities in Washington, DC to begin a successful career as a commodities stockbroker.

Benny’s Vietnam experiences were indelibly etched into his life and memory. During his three tours in Vietnam, he developed great admiration and affection for his Vietnamese associates.  He became an avid reader of anything published on Vietnam and was always ready to discuss this great national tragedy which so deeply affected the nation.  He frequently visited the Vietnam Memorial in Washington to pay his respects to those American soldiers who died in Vietnam and for the Vietnamese whom he felt had been abandoned.

After Benny’s sudden death from a heart attack in Washington, DC, his family received many letters from his friends and classmates. The following are a few extracts from these letters:

“Outstanding young men like Benny Evans made it possible for me to enjoy 36 wonderful years at the US Military Academy as Hockey Coach and Assistant Athletic Director.  Everyone connected with the Army Hockey Program loved Benny. He had such a pleasing personality with a smile always on his face. As a manger he was tops.”

“My memory of Benny is of a full-of-life, fun-loving person who was a boon companion and a warm friendly type."

“I considered him one of the finest men I ever knew.  We shared many and memorable times together.  He was extremely popular and I never heard any ill word about him.  Benny had a kind heart, a ready smile and was a true friend."

“Not having the chance to tell Ben how much I admired and respected him, as a West Pointer, an officer and a friend, leaves me with a deep feeling of regret.  In his companionship, wit, charm, and sense of humor, I found all I could have hoped for in an older brother during those formative months as a second lieutenant.  I will miss him immensely.  He will always be with me in thought and prayer. God bless him.”

Throughout his life, Benny demonstrated the highest example of personal integrity and dedication.  Open-minded, straightforward and personable, with intense interest in people and their welfare, he gained and retained the friendship and respect of all who knew him.  Although low-key about the Academy, the Army, and his Country, he was “”GUNG HO” about all three.
                                                                                                                         B.F.E. , Jr.