MISSING: A World War II Story of Love, Friendships, Courage, and Survival

by Kenneth D. Evans

On Day 9 of the Battle of the Bulge, 2nd Lt. Donald N Evans was shot down behind enemy lines. Defying odds, he survived bailing out of his P-47 fighter plane seconds before it crashed. He limped and crawled through the snow-covered Ardennes Forest until after dark, trying to find a way back to the American front lines. Lost, cold, and hungry, Don spent Christmas Eve huddled under a pine tree, wondering if he'd ever see his family again. Ahead lay capture by German SS Troops, a 200-mile forced march, near starvation, abuse by guards, and internment in a German POW camp. His will to overcome nearly insurmountable odds is inspiring. That he actually did so is a miracle.

From dirt-poor, small-town roots, Don was the quintessential all-American boy--high school student body president and star athlete. At age eighteen, he was attending college, had fallen in love, and appeared destined for a bright future. Then fate stepped in. Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and America entered World War II. Don joined the U.S. military, along with millions of other young Americans, and went to war. Before shipping overseas, he married his high school sweetheart, Laura Jeanne.

Excerpts from Don and Laura Jeanne's deeply personal letters allow readers to glimpse emotional events through the eyes of a young couple who lived through these remarkable times. Don and four other flyboys in the 368th Fighter Group of the Ninth Air Force became so close they called themselves the Five. The author artfully weaves their experiences together from letters, journals, personal histories, mission reports, and interviews, creating a moving and unforgettable World War II story.

Genres: World War II, Nonfiction, History, War

501 pages, Hardcover

First published March 28, 2019

About the author

KENNETH D. EVANS was a CPA and business consultant for more than forty years. During his career, he helped set up and served as a board member on several nonprofit organizations, including an equine therapy center for people with disabilities and a foundation operating schools in Guatemala. He also assisted in interfaith disaster relief efforts following Hurricanes Beulah and Katrina.

An outdoor enthusiast, Ken enjoys fly-fishing, horseback riding, and spending time at his family cabin. He and his wife Sandy have six children and fifteen grandchildren. They reside on his family's farm in Saratoga Springs, Utah.

Ken's decade-long quest to learn and write about his father's World War II experiences was featured in Salt Lake City's Deseret News on Father's Day 2017. MISSING is his first book.

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the detail included in the book. Felt like I was on the journey myself. Rated four stars because too much of the book was more correspondence between him and his wife and was hoping for more in terms of his time as a POW. However, it was well researched and enjoyable!

[MichelleLyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this one down!! This is a must read!! Unless you don’t like reading good books, if this is the case stay far away from this gem!

This is the incredible true story of WWII fighter pilot/POW Don Evans, who overcame insurmountable odds to be reunited with the love of his life back home. Intertwining deeply personal love letters between Don & his new bride, journal excerpts from Don’s fighter pilot buddies, & first person accounts, we are taken on an unforgettable journey that we won’t soon forget.

The author has provided us with astounding in-depth research of some of the most important events in history. The meticulous detail in which he provides these is both educational & interesting.

I found myself wanting to learn more about this crucial time in history & about this courageous man’s family.

[Adrianna Lamm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! This was based on a true story, it was a gripping and heartfelt book. I could tell that there were countless hours of research done on this book and it takes place during World World II. The research told the facts, but the letters that were written from this pilot to his very young wife told of the heartache, pain, friendships made, and some lost. There was a lot to learn in this book. Well written and inspiring. Loved it!

[Laurel Pole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book club book .
I found it a really heavy book to read because of all of the details about airplanes etc.but ended up really glad I had read it.
It is a biography of a fighter pilot in WW2 from Utah who is shot down and ends up in a POW camp.
I learnt a lot about WW2 and General Patton and the camaraderie of the soldiers and hardships and emotional impact the war made on their life’s forever especially the ones who ended up in the POW.
Such brave men whom we owe so much to .
We’ll written for a first time writer.
The author is the son of the pilot he writes about and includes many of the letters he wrote home to his new wife.

[Marie Spitler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful full story of WWII downed pilot experience

Wonderful full story of WWII downed pilot experience from enlistment threw training, missions downing the horrific POW experience and inability to communicate it after repatriation. There are fortunately many if these stories written by surviving family members so that they are not lost but recorded for generations to come.

[Melissa Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a touching World War II story about the authors father and mother and the experience his father had while serving in the Army Air Force during World War II. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and anyone else that likes historical books will love it too! It was also fascinating to read the experiences he had while in-prisoned in a German prisoner of war camp during the end of World War II.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took awhile to get going as it tells the story of the author's father who ends up getting shot down and taken prisoner in the Battle of the Bulge. The story is a harrowing one, as the experience of combat and being a POW is one that reminds us all why the Greatest Generation deserves that title forever. I will think about this story for a long time.

[Thomas Welches · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missing: A World War ll Story of Love, Friendships, Courage, and Survival

A great read, filled with a tremendous amount of background history of events leading up to 1944 battles. Yet, the personal story of love, friendship and courage displayed by the P 47 Pilots and their families was amazing. Highly recommend reading this book.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so interesting. I wouldn't call myself a WW2 history buff, but it really made me want to retake my 10th grade history class over and really listen this time. There was a lot to learn in this book. Well written and inspiring. Loved it!

[Kari A. Kovach · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT!!!

Reading WWII based novels or memoirs is difficult for me. I like to escape into mysteries or fantasies, not the atrocities of WWII. HOWEVER, I am so glad I took the time to read MISSING. The details of flight training and flight performance were fascinating. The romance interwoven throughout the real-life account is so sweet. To read of the horrors that happened to Don Evans after being captured by the Germans, brought tears to my eyes. The hope that Don held on to during his interment is inspiring and made me so grateful for the comfortable life I enjoy. I have already recommended this memoir to my father, a Vietnam Vet. I will continue to recommend to others. MISSING is a wonderful read that reminds that God knows us individually and will provide miracles during our greatest trials. High praise for MISSING!

[Kate D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of the best books I’ve read in a while. It’s very hard for me to find a book I have interest in continuing to read, but this one… I dove right in and devoured it. It has an amazing balance of everything. Little bit of romance, a smidge of religious/spiritual background (but nothing too heavy), lots of action and heart wrenching moments, and ultimately in the end, just pure love and happiness. Not gonna lie, I cried during the last chapter. Knowing that these accounts were real and straight from letters written during the war makes the read all the more powerful. I remember reading that the author spent years, decades even, going through his parents old papers and journals to piece together their epic story. That type of dedication alone makes the book worth reading!

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid 3.5. It started out very slow for me. I was listening to an audio copy and it was over 13 hours long. I liken it to listening to someone else's grandpa tell his stories. Interesting if it was your grandpa, maybe not so interesting if he's not your grandpa.

It got more interesting about halfway through, though there was a lot of history thrown in that was hard to keep up with through audio. It probably could have been half as long.

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A detailed description of what it was like to be a part of the “Greatest Generation” and having to leave everyone behind to fight for freedom. Also a glimmer of what it was like back home having to do without and suffer for months not knowing the whereabouts of your newlywed pilot after he was shot down on Christmas evening. Gosh - it made me think of all the questions I should have asked my dad and mom. A must read for all us “Boomers” to appreciate the sacrifices our parents made.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have given it a 5+ if it weren't for so many letters written in this book. It took away from the story, especially in the first one third of the book. Very informative on what was happening at the time of WWII,

[Greg Rampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great WWII memoir

A moving history filled with personal detail from letters, notes, diaries that chronicle an incredible story of a P-47 pilot living through incredible events of WWII. He experienced it all.

[Randy Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly loved this book. My father in-law was in a cannon company and found during the Battle of the Bulge. I enjoyed reading about the experiences of a pilot who supported the soldiers during the Battle of the Bulge.

[David Engel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great personal story of the tedium/terror of P-47 fighter/bomber pilot and life as a POW. This is a favorite WWII read of mine and should appeal to non-WWII buffs, as it explains much of the other stories which impact the action in this book.

[Rich Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, very well written. Found it quite interesting as I’m a bit of a WWII historian. I felt the author gave me good visuals in my mind by his excellent writing style. I recommend to anyone who enjoys WWII books.

[Dennis Sumner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book on one of WWII’s heroes.

I enjoyed this book like others from WWII. It gives the reader some insight into what our soldiers endured. I’m glad I read it and recommend to others that enjoy WWII history.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great WWII story. It was nice to read a book from a local author on a subject I love. Ken is a good writer. I hope he writes some more.

[Rebecca Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring and moving biography of one who embodies the admirable character of members of the “Greatest Generation.”

[Christine Mathieu · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected more.
It's the story of Kenneth D. Evans' father's WW II experiences after the Battle of the Bulge when his plane was shot down and he survived.
Somehow the book failed to really grab me.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read, so glad this story wasn’t lost and his son shared it.

[Ronald J Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very good read.

Very well written. An emotional roller coaster as you experience the horrors of war. And the emotional tole of loved ones left behind.

[Steve Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Having been a true life story of a WWII war hero / veteran is simply amazing! Greatly appreciated the story