Skip to Content

Man set to represent Alabama at Purple Heart Patriot Project

By WALA Staff

Click here for updates on this story

    ROBERTSDALE, Alabama (WALA) — A Silverhill man is set to represent Alabama at this year’s Purple Heart Patriot Project at West Point.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Major Ed Evans is a Korean War Veteran and was one of 27 survivors from his unit — which came under heavy attack by the North Koreans. He recalls days and days of 24-hour shelling, running out of ammunition, as well as food and water while trying to hide across enemy lines before finding his way to safety.

“Early one night about 9:30… I heard this laugh and it could only be an American. And started yelling G.I., G.I., G.I. And I got to thinking the North Koreans could speak just as good English as I could — some of them… So being from Alabama — I started telling them everything I knew about Alabama and they told me to come in very slow with my hands up and I did. I can’t tell you the feeling that I had when I knew I was back in American hands,” recalled Evans.

93-year-old Evans and his granddaughter are set to fly to New York and go to the ceremony at West Point in September for the Purple Heart Patriot Project.

“Alabama has the third largest Purple Heart community in the nation. So this is a true honor to be able to represent the state of Alabama,” said Evans.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Article Topic Follows: CNN - Regional

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

CNN Newsource

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KVIA ABC 7 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content