Eugene Evers
Bio
Gene Evers was born on July 10, 1931, in Forest Grove, Oregon. After high school, he attended college for one term while working on his father’s farm. In January 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and completed Camera Repairman school. Gene volunteered for duty in Korea and served as a camera inspector at Yakota Air Base in Japan. During a reconnaissance mission over North Korea, a Russian MiG shot down the RB-29 he was on. Gene was wounded in the air battle and captured, spending 14 months as a POW. After the armistice, he was released in a prisoner exchange. He received the Air Medal and Purple Heart for his service. Following the war, Gene returned to his Oregon farm, where he raised eight children.
Video Clips
Shot Down in a RB-29 Over North Korea
Eugene "Gene" Evers recalls the moment his plane was shot down during a reconnaissance mission over North Korea. A Russian MiG suddenly attacked, bringing the RB-29 out of the sky. With little knowledge of how to respond, he was caught off guard during the air battle.
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Captured by The Chinese
Eugene "Gene" Evers recalls being captured by Chinese soldiers after his plane was shot down over northern Korea. As he lay on the ground, the soldiers found him and began searching him. Just as they started, a U.S. aircraft flew overhead, offering a fleeting moment of hope before he was taken prisoner.
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Living Conditions as a POW
Eugene "Gene" Evers describes the harsh living conditions he faced as a prisoner of war in North Korea. For the first seven months, he endured extreme cold and limited shelter, forced to stay outside in all weather. He explains the brutal treatment by Chinese and North Korean guards, including complete isolation from other American POWs.
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You Are Going to Die
Eugene "Gene" Evers recalls being questioned by Chinese soldiers who were certain he was a spy. One captor even told him he was receiving "kind treatment." However, a fellow soldier intervened, claiming Evers was an "ABC agent" to save his life. Evers describes the overwhelming fear and disbelief he felt when he was told he would die.
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Details of Living Conditions as a POW
Eugene "Gene" Evers describes the harsh conditions he faced as a prisoner of war in a Chinese POW camp from July 1952 to January 1953. He endured freezing nights and lacked basic comforts. During Christmas, he received his only meal of meat throughout his 14 months of captivity. Evers reflects on how the extreme cold and limited food made his survival even more challenging.
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28 Hours to Mukden
Eugene "Gene" Evers recalls being told about his transfer to a new location and receiving some of his belongings. He describes the grueling 28-hour journey to a POW camp in Mukden, China, which included crossing the Yalu River. Evers notes that his new "home" was a Japanese-built prison from World War II.
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Living Conditions in Mukden Prison
Eugene "Gene" Evers describes the harsh living conditions at Mukden Prison in Manchuria, where he spent seven months as a POW. He recalls constant isolation, inadequate food, and daily deprivation. Evers also remembers a particularly cruel guard who made his imprisonment even more unbearable.
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Sentenced to Death by Hard Labor
Eugene "Gene" Evers recalls his trial at Mukden Prison, where he was sentenced to death by hard labor in the mines. After 14 brutal months as a POW, he was finally released. Evers reflects on the immense hardship he endured and the overwhelming relief of regaining his freedom.
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