Missing: A World War II Story of Love, Friendships, Courage, and Survival

by Kenneth D. Evans

Utahan Father Miraculously Survived a Nazi POW Camp

—Seventy Years Later, His Son Publishes His Story

Until 1941, local Utahan Don Evans was an accomplished all-American boy. He was
preparing to attend college, marry the love of his life, and looked forward to a bright future. Then
Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, and Don set aside his plans to protect his country.
When he left for war, no one expected what would come next. That young man from a
small town in Utah suddenly joined the other flyboys of the 368th Fighter Group of the Ninth Air
Force over the front lines. He made allies, friends, and continued to write to the love of his life.
But something even more extraordinary was about to happen.
It was Christmas Eve, 1944. The Battle of the Bulge was in its 9th day on the Western
Front. At 400 miles per hour and only 200 feet above the ground, Don’s plane was shot out of
the sky. Survival should have been impossible, but somehow, he managed to bail out.
Despite his miraculous landing, Don was far from safe. As the sun rose on Christmas
morning, he found himself huddled underneath a pine tree, stuck behind enemy lines. His
thoughts were those of family, but he was stranded. Before he could ever hope to go home, Don
would face capture by German soldiers, a 200-mile forced march, mistreatment in a POW camp,
and more.
His tale, described in Missing: A WWII Story of Love, Friendships, Courage, and
Survival, should have been a tragedy. Instead, it’s a tribute to the endurance of humanity.
Like many veterans of WWII, Don didn’t speak much of his experiences. In fact, his
family admits that whenever they asked about the war, he, “quickly grew silent.” Were it not for
the efforts of his son, his testimony would have been erased from history.
After both Don and his wife’s passing, Kenneth D. Evans and his siblings were looking
through their parent’s things when they discovered a hidden stash of, “every letter he wrote to
her during the war, along with two YMCA prisoner of war notebooks and other war-memorabilia
detailing experiences he was never able to talk or write about otherwise.”
This began Evans’ journey to rediscover the part of his father he’d never known. He read
every letter and journal, interviewed his father’s friends and comrades, and learned all he could
about WWII. Through his efforts, he gained a new understanding and respect for the man who’d
raised him.
Don wasn’t just his father—he was a hero.
 Coming upon this revelation, Evans decided to compile his research into a book. He’d
originally meant this as a way for his family to remember Don. Evans knew his father had been
reserved in life and feared that, in death, the chronicle of his amazing survival would be lost. As
he worked, the small side project turned into a full-length book.
When his family saw his work, they encouraged him to seek publication. What had
started to preserve Don Evans’ legacy had become a tribute to WWII veterans everywhere. It
took ten years of research, hundreds of letters, and a trip to Europe, but Evans was determined to
honor his father. Now, over 70 years after the war’s completion, Don Evans’ story is finally
being published.
Evans’ discoveries are awe-inspiring. The picture he paints of Don is that of a boy thrust
into manhood by the tribulations of war. With every odd stacked against him, Don persisted.
When he thought he would die, or he was mistreated by German soldiers, he demonstrated
courage. When he was forced to stand over his own grave, he maintained dignity. And, when he
was shown the smallest of kindness by an enemy civilian, he felt gratitude despite all he’d been
through.
Don is a testament to true American spirit, and Kenneth D. Evans’ dedication to his
father’s legacy preserves an essential part of our history. To read the entire amazing story, find
Missing: A World War II Story of Love, Friendships, Courage, and Survival on Amazon.