USS Ernest E. Evans (DDG-141)

USS Ernest E. Evans (DDG-141) is a planned Arleigh Burke-class destroyer guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy, the 91st overall of the class. She is named for US Navy Commander Ernest E. Evans, who was the first Native American in the Navy to be awarded the Medal of Honor. The award was given posthumously after Evans died leading a small group of ships in a charge against a force that was superior in both numbers and firepower, in what would become to be known as "The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors". This occurred during the Battle off Samar, part of the overall Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Pacific theater during World War II. While this will be the fourth ship overall to bear the name Evans, this is the second named for Ernest E. Evans, the first being USS Evans (DE-1023), a Dealey-class destroyer escort, (and the other two ships are named for an admiral of no relation). Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro made the announcement during Native American Heritage Month, while at the United States Naval Academy on 15 November 2023. The contract to build Ernest E. Evans was awarded to Ingalls Shipbuilding, a part of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), in August 2023.