Evans Cercel Grantham entered the military on June 2nd, 1942 and was assigned to the USS Tasker H. Bliss. This particular ship was commissioned for the US Shipping Board as a steam passenger vessel and finished in January 1921 under the name Golden State. This ship was renamed President Cleveland for the SS. Dollar Co and later was transferred to the American President Lines. It was chartered as a war ship in July 1941, changing its name to Tasker H. Bliss. It went on five Pacific voyages for the Army; then it was recommissioned for the US Navy under new command of General L. Schetky and renamed the USS Tasker H. Bliss. This was the ship that Evans remained on throughout his lifetime in the Navy during its participation in Operation Torch and naval battle of Casablanca.
Evans served as a Fireman Second Class, apprentice to Fireman First Class. The Fireman's job entailed keeping the fires burning in the ship’s boilers and to make sure the machinery of the ship is running properly. This role has changed much over time, as now the Fireman focuses on maintaining the ship’s electronics, similar to an engineer or electrician for a Naval vessel. This role is still very important to keep the ship running smoothly and make sure it operates at any costs.