Eugene Evers
Bio
Eugene “Gene” Evers was born on a farm in Forest Grove, Oregon on July 10, 1931. After high school, he attended one term in college while working on his father’s farm. He enlisted in the US Air Force in January 1951. Upon completion of Camera Repairman school, he volunteered for duty in Korea. He was stationed at Yakota Air Base, Japan where he served as a camera inspector. While inspecting camera operation on a reconnaissance mission over North Korea, the RB-29 he was on was shot down by a Russian MiG. He was wounded by exploding munitions during the air battle. He was captured and spent the next 14 months as a POW before being released in a prisoner exchange after the armistice was signed. Among his decorations, he was awarded the Air Medal and Purple Heart for his service. After the war, he returned home to the farm he was born on in Oregon where he raised his eight children.
Clips
Repairing Cameras at Yokota Air Base
Eugene "Gene" Evers describes being stationed at Yokota Air Base in Japan. He explains his job as a camera repairman and inspector.
Shot Down in a RB-29 Over North Korea
Eugene "Gene" Evers describes being shot down. He explains flying over North Korea during his reconnaissance mission. He describes the Russian MiG that ultimately took him out of the sky.
Captured by The Chinese
Eugene "Gene" Evers talks about his capture by Chinese soldiers. He explains how he was shot down on a reconnaissance mission over northern Korea. He describes the Chinese soldiers finding him and his experience with captivity.
Living Conditions as a POW
Eugene "Gene" Evers describes the living conditions as a Prisoner of War. He explains the circumstances of his first seven months in North Korea. He elaborates on how he was treated by the Chinese and North Koreans.
Isolation in Chinese POW Camp
Eugene "Gene" Evers talks about being isolated in a Chinese POW camp. He describes his knowledge of Marine Colonel Frank Schwable. Schwable was a fellow POW in the Chinese prisoner camp.
You Are Going to Die
Eugene "Gene" Evers describes being questioned by Chinese soldiers during his time a POW. He explains how a fellow soldier saved his life by telling them that he was an "ABC agent". He describes the feeling associated with being told you are going to die.
Details of Living Conditions as a POW
Eugene "Gene" Evers describes the difficult daily living conditions of being a prisoner of war. He explains what it was like during a seven month period (July 1952-January 1953) as a prisoner in a Chinese POW camp in North Korea.
A Christmas Feast in POW Camp
Eugene "Gene" Evers talks about Christmas in a POW camp. He explains that this was the only time he had eaten meat during his 14 month captivity. This occurred during his captivity as a prisoner in a Chinese POW camp in North Korea.
Cold Nights in POW Camp
Eugene "Gene" Evers talks about the frigid nights he endured and conditions he was placed in as a prisoner in a Chinese POW camp.
28 Hours to Mukden
Eugene "Gene" Evers discusses his arduous and physically challenging journey while be transferred to a POW camp in Mukden (presently Shenyang), China.
Living Conditions in Mukden Prison
Eugene "Gene" Evers describes the difficult living conditions in Mukden Prison (Manchuria) during his seven month stay there as a Prisoner of War.
This Particularly Mean Guard...
Eugene "Gene" Evers describes the living conditions and one particularly mean guard he encountered during his seven month stay in Mukden Prison (China) as a Prisoner of War.
On Trial as a POW
Eugene "Gene" Evers talks about being put on trial while being held at Mukden Prison (Manchuria) and his sentence of death by hard labor in the mines.
"Well, Welcome Back!"
Eugene "Gene" Evers discusses the details of how he was released after 14 months as a prisoner of war.
Why It Was Worth It
Eugene "Gene" Evers talks about why the Korean War was worth the sacrifice.
I Hope We Did The Right Thing
Eugene "Gene" Evers reflects on his experience in the Korean War. He describes his hope that his contributions to the war effort were the right thing to do. He explains that he hopes that the United States involvement in the war was positive.