Grandchildren of the US Coast Guard Commander Ray Evans were thankful to be part of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal in Honiara last week.
Evans, 92, passed away in 2013 and was the one who served alongside Douglas Munroe and moreover was the last survivor of the Marines who were pinned down by enemy fire at the current Point Cruz Yacht Club site.
Tom Evans, Commander Evans grandson, was accorded the honour of speaking on behalf of his late father and family during the remembrance ceremony at Yacht Club.
“My grandfather along with Douglas Munro and countless others fought valiantly here 75 years ago. Most know my grandfather for this battle experiences and years of service to the Coast Guard.
“Growing up with my grandpa, he would tell us stories about his time on the ships or his time with his shipmates or about his peacetime escapades with his friends.
“I knew then without a doubt that Coast Guard was something that he loved deeply,” Mr Evans said.
He said that his grandfather would often talk about his time in the Coast Guard but he never really talked about the battle with the grandkids.
“Perhaps his reluctance to talk about the events on this beach, stemmed from him losing his best friend, Douglas Munro.
“Unfortunately, it has only been since his passing in 2013 that my family and I have truly begun to learn the full scope of what he did here and what he meant to the Coast Guard,” Mr Evans added.
“I also want to give a special thanks to those men and women who continue to serve to protect our freedom,” he further added.
Commander Ray retired in 1962 from active duty and got married. Tom is one of his four grandchildren.
Commander Evans and Douglas Munroe did a heroic act by evacuating Marines from the shore and provided cover for the retreating soldiers. It was during this act that Munroe was hit by enemy fire.
Douglas Munroe was awarded a post-humus Medal of Honour in 1939, the only one recorded in the US Coast Guard service.
Tom Evans was accompanied by his relative Karie Brown Evans.
By TEDDY KAFO