Waldo Evans was sent to American Samoa by U.S. Navy Secretary Josephus Daniels in 1920 to lead a court of inquiry investigating turmoil and strong opposition to Governor Warren Terhune.
In January 1927, based on his successful performance in American Samoa, Curtis D. Wilbur called him out of retirement to serve as Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
After the unexpected death of Governor Trench, Evans was asked out of retirement to govern the United States Virgin Islands.
As Governor, Evans signed a bill which granted all citizens of the islands United States citizenship, effective February 28, 1927.
In September 1928, the islands were hit by a hurricane, resulting in six deaths and $400,000 worth of property damage (approximately $4.3 million in inflation-adjusted 2005 dollars).