Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation
In mid-1943 Evans was ordered to duty in charge of fitting out the at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation in Seattle, Washington. Commander Evans assumed command of "Johnston" at her commissioning on October 27, 1943, declaring to the assembled crew, "this is going to be a fighting ship. I intend to go in harm's way, and anyone who doesn't want to go along had better get off right now". He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in action against a Japanese submarine on May 16, 1944.