Sergeant Major Gwendolyn N. Evans was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. Serving 32 years in the U.S. Army, with 26 of those years with the Chemical Corps. Her first major assignment was as squad leader and Heavy Decontamination 2nd platoon sergeant, 101st Chemical Company. She served in this unit when it deployed to Iraq in OPERATION DESERT STORM as part of the 212th Field Artillery Brigade assigned to TF 2-1 ADA from September 1990 to April 1991. Her actions earned her the Kuwaiti Liberation Medal and Bronze Star, with the following citation: For exceptionally meritorious achievement in support of actions against a hostile force in the Persian Gulf from 17 January 1991 through 9 March 1991 while assigned to XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery, XVIII Airborne Corps, Saudi Arabia.

Sergeant Major Evans’ performance in combat operations was a key factor in enabling the XVIII Airborne Corps to assist in restoring the world security goals of the United Nations. Her devotion to duty, aggressiveness and ability to excel while under great pressure contributed significantly to the successful accomplishment of her units’ mission. She was the third female promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major (SGM) in the Chemical Corps; the second female service member to hold the position of Proponent SGM; and the first to hold the post for a length of five years.

Sergeant Major Evans has demonstrated a lifetime of volunteerism: she organized and started the Boys and Girls Center in her home town of Dunn, North Carolina and today she volunteers at the Community Living Center of the Pacific Islands Veterans Administration Medical Center and at the Oahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Sergeant Major Evans’ awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Volunteer Service Medal.