The following was submitted by Mr. Bair's son, Dwayne: Born April 19,1919, Verl passed away December 27, 1990. He was a devoted husband to my mother for 46 years and was survived by two sons, Bill Earl and Dwayne Bair. His career as a plumber/steam fitter took him all over the United States. His pride in his career and his days on the USS Evans was his life.
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The following was submitted by Barbara Trautlein, daughter of Bud Brainard:
"Bud was born Oct 22, 1922 in Fairport, OH. His parents were Fred Leon and Edith (Gottschalk) Brainard. He lived most of his life in Conneaut, OH. Bud was a 1941 graduate of Conneaut High School. He enjoyed his family and traveling, especially to Navy reunions. He served on the Evans from December 11, 1943 to November 25, 1944. He was transferred off just before the attack and spent the rest of his service time with the Seabees in the Phillipines and China. He served in the Naval Reserves for 10 years. Bud worked for the railroad for several years then was employed by the Norton Company for 27 years. He drove a bus for Conneaut city schools and St. Mary School. He wasa 60-year member of the First United Methodist Church and a life member of VFW Post 943 of Ashtabula, OH.
"Bud married Ruth (Frary) on June 27, 1948. They had six daughters andone son who was named for his best friend on the Evans. Barbara and her husband Thomas Trautlein live in Albuquerque, NM. Dorothy lives in Ashtabula, Edna lives in Conneaut, Edward Hassell Brainard and his wife Brenda live in Chicopee, MA, Maran and her husband Craig Hilgendorf live in Alva, FL, Terry and her husband Christopher Hare and Ruth and her husband Darrell Barnum all live in Ashtabula. Bud and Ruth have 17 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. "Bud died July 19, 1997 at Hamot Medical Center in Erie, PA and was buried at Glenwood Cemetery in Conneaut, OH. Bud only met friends, always offering the people he met whatever he had and sharing a joke with them. He is sorely missed by his wife and family."
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Pasquale Costanzo
A week after he turned 17, Pasquale (Pat) Costanzo enlisted in the Navy, something he says he always wanted to do. He wanted to go to a school, get a rate and serve aboard a destroyer. Perhaps along the way he might also pick up a medal.
"It all worked out," Pat says. I went to Gunners Mate School and received a third-class rate and was assigned to the USS Evans. I was a gunner on the port 20mms and received a Bronze Star for action at Okinawa.
onsidering the cost of lives at Okinawa, I will always wear the medal for the people who lost their lives there."
After his discharge, Pat got married to Norma Lee on January 12, 1946 and had four children.
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Rhesa
Boor was one of the 32 Evans shipmates who was killed in
the May 11, 1945, kamikaze attacks. His photograph
was sent to us by his granddaughter, Cheryl Abbot.
