MILLINGTON, Tenn. - A Valdosta, Georgia, native will return to San Diego from a seven-month deployment serving aboard USS Stockdale, a U.S. Navy warship that recently conducted operations in the Middle East.
“I joined the Navy to make sure I would be able to take care of my family,” Evans said.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Modesto.
“Growing up in Valdosta, I played a lot of sports which taught me the importance of discipline," Evans said. "Having discipline has been very instrumental in helping me succeed in the Navy and getting through this deployment."
While on its seven-month deployment, USS Stockdale conducted combat operations against the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden, maintaining free and open sea lanes and regional stability. Stockdale also built continuing relationships with the militaries of Egypt and the Republic of Maldives, important partners of the United States.
“Months of training, day after day, prior to us deploying showed in the execution of our operations as well as the team’s successes," Evans said. "We successfully completed our mission and returned safely. I couldn’t be more proud to have participated with such a great crew and in my opinion one of the best commanding officers in the Navy, Cmdr. Lauren Johnson."
Homeported in San Diego, Stockdale is a guided-missile destroyer and the third U.S. Navy ship named in honor of Vice Adm. James Bond Stockdale, an aviator who was awarded the Medal of Honor based on his service in the Vietnam War, during which time he was a prisoner of war for over seven years.
A Navy destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Murdock can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means a lot to me," added Evans. "It gives me a chance to better myself while protecting the ones I love and care for the most, especially my mom."