Biography
COL (R) Thomas Evans is recipient of the 2021 USAOCSAA Nett Award. After 32 years of Active and Reserve Military Service, Tom has dedicated his life to voluntary public service. He is current Secretary and a Director of the Officer Candidate School Alumni Association.As a Director and former Treasurer of USAOCSAA, Tom has ensured the solvency of the organization. Tom was a leader during TUSAOCSAA’s two major projects on Fort Benning. First being the OCS Memorial Walk which honors all our Graduates, the units they served, the eras they served, and the classes from which they graduated. This included our 51 Medal of Honor recipients, many graduates who were KIA in combat, 23 distinguished graduates, members of the OCS Hall of Fame, as well as outstanding Cadre and honor graduates.
Second is the OCS Heritage Center which honors what Officer Candidate Schools have meant to the U.S. Army and America since before World War II. The Heritage Center will preserve the legacy of the more than 250,000 OCS graduates in the Infantry, Armor, Artillery, Engineering, Transportation, or one of the other 11 schools. On his own initiative, Tom personally developed and procured a monument for OCS Class 1-66. He was personally generous with financial support for the OCS Heritage Center and the OCS Memorial Walk. He recently made his 5th large donation to help finance the expansion of the OCS Memorial Walk. His efforts and donations will significantly preserve the history of OCS and further USAOCSAA goals and objectives.
Tom is not afraid to roll up his sleeves. He personally processed all financial transactions for TUSAOCSAA for more than two years. He organized and managed the TUSAOCSAA Hospitality Suite during the last four reunions. At his own expense, he travels from California to attend and support Active Duty Ranger units in Georgia and Washington, and recently traveled to Washington DC to represent the Ranger Association at its kiosk at the AUSA National Convention.
Tom had a phenomenally successful military career, which included recon platoon leader and pathfinder detachment commander in Vietnam. He then had a full career in the U.S. Army Reserve, which included Battalion and Brigade level command. He was later selected to serve as Chief of Staff of the 311th Corps Support Command, a Brigadier General position on mobilization.
His military awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Airborne Wings, Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal w/ 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star, and the Army Commendation Medal. He was inducted into the OCS Infantry Hall of Fame in 1990. He is also an honorary member of the 11th Infantry Regiment and the Order of Saint Maurice (Primicerius). He was also recognized by the TRADOC Commander with the Department of the Army Meritorious Public Award for his service as a USAOCSAA Director and President of the U.S. Army Ranger Association.
Tom is a patriot and a leader and through works, deeds, and philanthropy, Tom manifests the ideals of Voluntary Public Service and promotes the welfare of the Officer Candidate School, the Rangers, the Officer Corps, and the U.S. Army. He is also a Junior Achievement volunteer and volunteers at the VA Hospitals in West Los Angeles and the Boys and Girls Club. Finally, he serves on the Board of Directors of his HOA and is a member of the Finance Committee.
COL Tom Evans is recognized for voluntarism, leadership, dedication, and significant financial contributions having served to support and honor the U.S. Army Ranger Association, the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School, and his local community. His contributions have preserved for posterity the significant history of valuable parts of the U.S. Army.