Army Sgt. Lashawn D. Evans

Remember Our Heroes

Army Sgt. Lashawn D. Evans, 24, of Columbia, S.C.

Sgt Evans was assigned to the 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.; died Feb. 15, 2011 in Baghdad province, Iraq, in a non-combat incident.

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - The body of a soldier killed while serving in Iraq arrived in Columbia Thursday morning, but his family still has questions about how he died.

The body of Sergeant LaShawn D. Evans arrived at Hamilton-Owens Air Field at 9:00 a.m. to a hero's welcome. Motorcycle riders lined the airport with American flags and full military honors were given as his casket was loaded into a hearse.

His family stood idle, heart broken at the loss of their hero who had been posthumously promoted from "Specialist" to the rank of "Sergeant."

Evans' father, Kevin Green, is proud of his son's service to the country and wants the Army to fully investigate his death.

"We are going to lay him to rest in peace and silence until the truth comes out," said Kevin Green. "That's all I want for his name to live on forever, and whatever happened to him in Iraq, that we be told the whole truth."

The Army has not yet confirmed how the 24-year-old died or the circumstances surrounding his death, classifying it as a "non-combat fatality."

Evans was nearing the end of his second tour of duty in Iraq. He died just two weeks before he was due home.

Family members say "Shawn" Evans entered the Army to support his wife of three years and 4-year-old daughter. Officials at Fort Riley said Evans' wife, Cierra, is also currently serving in Iraq.

Funeral services for Evans are tentatively scheduled for Monday at 11:00 a.m. at First Nazareth Baptist Church on Gervais Street. The burial will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Fort Jackson National Cemetery.

Evans was part of the 1st Infantry Division based at Fort Riley. He was a petroleum supply specialist, and arrived at Fort Riley in July 2008. His unit deployed to Iraq in March 2010.

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24-year-old Specialist LaShawn "Shawn" Evans joined the Army shortly after graduation from Richland Northeast High School, in hopes of supporting his wife, Cierra and their 4-year-old baby daughter. Cierra Evans enlisted as well; she was also on rotation in Iraq while Spc. Evans' older brother Jamel was serving in Afghanistan. Shawn Evans was a petroleum supply specialist in his second deployment to Iraq, as per a statement released by the 1st Infantry Division public affairs office.

Spc. Evans was assigned to the 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley, Kansas. His unit deployed to Iraq in March 2010 and was scheduled to return home in just a few short days. The family was happy about Spc. Evans' return to the states, and were planning to fly out en masse to Fort Riley to welcome him home.

Shawn and Jamel had their beloved grandmother, Mrs. Dorthy Evans, to encourage them during some tough teenage years. School counselor Latonya Freeman remembers, "When I met his grandmother, it was obvious her commitment to LaShawn and his brother."

(When she first met Shawn,] "He was probably in a transitional stage. A very critical time that could have been a student who could have decided not to complete a high school education." Spc. Evans got a second chance when he transferred from Richland to Blythewood Academy, where he was guided by Ms. Freeman. "He made the best of the time he was here. He did well academically. He loved playing basketball. He flourished while he was here, and he went on and got his high school diploma." Spc. Evans returned to Richland to graduate, but he did not forget the lessons and support he had received from Ms. Freeman. "You never know if you'll see them again [but] he came back. He expressed his gratitude, his admiration for me."

Friends have left condolences in a Guest Book at the Columbia Heraldonline. The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders have Spc. Evans on their "Watch List" where members are leaving messages of love and support for the Evans family.

LaShawn Evans is survived by his wife, Cierra; their young daughter; his brother, Jamal; his grandmother, Mrs. Dorthy Evans; many family friends as well as his 1st Attack Recon brethren.

Our hearts are with all who knew and loved Shawn Evans. Please know that we stand beside you at this terrible time of loss.

Grandmother speaks about soldier killed in non-combat incident in Iraq --

Specialist Lashawn D. Evans, 24, of Columbia died in a non-combat related incident on Tuesday while supporting Operation New Dawn in Baghdad Province, Iraq, according to the Department of Defense.

Evans was at the end of his second tour in Iraq, and his family was happy about him heading home. His grandmother says they were all flying out to Fort Riley, Kansas on Monday for his unit's homecoming. But with one phone call, everything changed.

Army investigators are not releasing any additional information about Evans' death, other than to say his death is under investigation.

Evans' grandmother just talked to him a few days ago, and remembers him as "a very nice, honorable, sweet young man." the heartache was too much for her to do a full interview, but she spent some time telling us about the young man she calls her baby.

Family members say "Shawn" Evans graduated from Richland Northeast High School, and entered the Army to support his wife of three years and 4-year-old daughter. Officials at Fort Riley said Evans' wife, Cierra, is also currently serving in Iraq.

A recent post on Facebook shows Evans was counting down the days. It says, "ima be home soon 13 days left in iraq"

His grandmother says a big celebration was planned for his return home next week. Now Evans' grandmother says his wife, as well as his brother on duty in Afghanistan, are headed home to plan his funeral.

Family members stated that he was a "very nice, honorable, sweet young man." "Shawn" Evans graduated from Richland Northeast High School, and entered the Army to support his wife of three years and 4-year-old daughter. LaShawn Evans' wife, Cierra, is also currently serving in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Lashawn D. Evans was killed in a non-combat related incident on 2/15/11.