Malcolm "Red" Evans, originally a member of the class of 1944, left State to serve in World War II as a paratrooper. He joined the paratroopers because he had concluded from newsreels that it would be a glamorous experience. In fact, being a paratrooper was a particularly dangerous role, with additional pay for hazardous duty. Left, Evans in uniform in 1944.

During the war, Evans made 15 jumps. On August 15, 1944 as a scout with the 517th regimental combat team, he participated in "Operation Dragoon." The 517th parachuted into the mountains in Southern France. Within the first 24 hours after their arrival, the team suffered 145 casualties. They cleared the way for the 509th, 550th and 551st teams, Allied troops commanded by General Alexander Patch, helping the Alllied forces to capture Marseilles on August 23 and ultimately liberate Paris. Left, Evans above the French town of Sospel in the Maritime Alps, in early Fall 1944. The picture was taken about 30 days after the Allies' invasion of southern France.

Read more about Evans in the Louis C. Jones Letters:

Letter of October 9, 1943
Letter of April 28, 1944
Letter of March 14, 1945