Frank Evans (DD 754) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDING OFFICER USS FRANK E. EVANS DD754 COMMANDER NELSON W. SANDERS, USN Commander Nelson W. SANDERS, USN, was born in Protec- tion, Kansas. He was commissioned Ensign in the Navy in 1943. During World War II he served on board the USS PENSACOLA (CA 24) where he saw combat in the Battles of Coral Sea, Midway and Santa Cruz. He served on three escort carriers during the late part of the war, filling a variety of billets which included assistant damage control officer, assistant gunnery officer and navigator. These carriers were the USS SOLOMONS (CVE 67), USS CHARGER (CVE 30) and USS POINT CRUZ (CVE 119). Since the war CDR SANDERS has had a wide variety of duties. He served for 22 months in the Korean combat area as first lieutenant on USS HELENA (CA 75) and as gunnery officer on USS TAUSSIG (DD 746). On another tour of sea duty he was the Executive Officer of USS BLUE (DD 744). In one tour of shore duty he was field officer and ordnance officer at the U. S. Naval Ammunition and Net Depot at Seal Beach, California. He also served a tour with the Alaskan Com- mand just prior to taking command of the EVANS. The EVANS is his third command. Previously he commanded the USS CURRIER (DE 700) and USS KNUDSON (APD 101). CDR SANDERS took command of the EVANS on her last cruise in October 1962. In June 1963 he led her to the Annual Ney Memo- rial Award for the outstanding mess aflo at. Some of the medals which CDR SANDERS wears include the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, the Purple Heart and the World War II and Korean service ribbons. CDR SANDERS, his wife, Mary, and their two sons, Wade and Stephen, reside in Long Beach.