Vincent Brooks Evans

Military
media-25234.jpeg UPL 25234 Crew of the Battle-weary, but triumphant, "Memphis Belle" which made twenty-five bombing missions over Europe are shown: L to R Back Row: T/Sgt. Robert J Hanson, Garfield, Wash., Radio Operator; T/Sgt. Harold P Loch, Green Bay, Wisc. holding 'Stuka', Top Turret Gunner; Capt Vincent B Evans, Henderson, TX., Bomb Capt Robert N Morgan, Asherville, NC., Pilot.
L to R Front Row: S/Sgt Cecil N Scott, Altoona, PA., Ball Turret. S/Sgt Clarence B Winchell, Oak Park, IL. L Waist gunner. S/Sgt John P Quinlan, Yonkers, NY., Tail gunner. S/Sgt Casimer A Nastal, Detroit, MI. R Waist gunner.

NARA Ref 342-FH-3A06266-23971AC.

Object Number - UPL 25234 - Crew of the Battle-weary, but triumphant, "Memphis Belle" which made twenty-five bombing missions over Europe are shown: L to R Back Row: T/Sgt....

Assigned to 324BS, 91BG, 8AF USAAF. Native of Texas, he joined the USAAC in 1942 and was assigned as bombardier on the B-17, 'Memphis Belle'. The 'Belle' and her crew would ultimately become the first to fly all of it's required twenty-five missions in the European theatre of WWII, that being the number to be sent back to the US. Her last mission was flown on 17-May-43. After a brief tour in the states, he returned to active service and was sent to the Pacific theatre where he served as bombardier for the B-29 42-24592 'Dauntless Dotty' with 869BS, 497BG, commanded by former 'Memphis Belle' pilot Robert Morgan.



Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, EAME and Asia and Pacific Campaign medals.



Post war: With the end of the war, Evans returned to civilian life and moved to California where he became a Hollywood screenwriter and later purchased and operated a successful restaurant. On 20-Apr-80, he was killed in a plane crash along with his wife and daughter.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

Lieutenant-General Jacob L. Devers adresses a bomber crew of the 91st Bomb Group in front of their B-17 Flying Fortress (DF-A, serial number 41-24485) nicknamed "Memphis Belle". Passed for publication 10 Jun 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Not For Publication Before 00.30 June 10th. Flying Fortress Returns To U.S.A. After 25 Operations. June 1943. At an 8th Army Air Station somewhere in England, Lt.-Gen. Jacob L. Devers, and Major-General Ira. C. Eaker, bidded fare-well to the Flying Fortress "Memphis
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Memphis Belle
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Texas, USA 6 September 1920

Died

Santa Barbara County, CA, USA 20 April 1980 Killed in a plane crash along with his wife and daughter. 20-Apr-80.
Texas, USA

Enlisted

Fort Worth, TX, USA Fort Worth, Texas

Based

Bassingbourn Assigned to 324BS, 91BG, 8AF USAAF.

Other

War bonds tour

United States War bond tour with Memphis Belle across the US.

Buried

Oak Hill Cemetery Ballard Santa Barbara County CA Oak Hill Cemetery Ballard Santa Barbara County California, USA

Other

2nd Tour

Saipan, CNMI 2nd Tour on B-29's in the Pacific Theatre of Operations.

Vincent Brooks Evans: Gallery (7 items)