Jordan Green For The Oklahoman U.S. Navy Commander Ernest Evans suffered shrapnel wounds and some of his fingers were blown off when his ship was hit by enemy shellfire. But he and his crew onboard the USS Johnston kept fighting. The day was Oct. 25, 1944. Evans and his men among a handful of U.S. ships, outnumbered by Japanese naval forces, were protecting American troops invading the Philippine Islands during the Battle off Samar, one of the most significant naval conflicts in World War II. Even after the Fletcher-class destroyer was severely damaged, Evans and his crew kept fighting. Even after dozens of his men were killed, they persisted.