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Thomas Ellis Underwood

"Ellis"
Marine Corps Reserve | Service Number 486672
For a full biography of this Marine, please see “Weary Warrior I: T. E. Underwood.”
Born

May 12, 1922
in Parker, FL

Parents

George Alpheus Underwood
Cora Lee (Crosson) Underwood

School

St. Petersburg High School
(left 1940)

Pre-War Employment

Fishing rod winder
Florida Fishing Tackle Mfg. Co.

Entered Service

October 22, 1942
at Orlando, FL

Joined First Battalion

December 15, 1942
from 13th Separate Recruit Battalion

Left First Battalion

March 4, 1945
Killed in action at Iwo Jima

Left Service

March 4, 1945
Killed in action

Home Address and Next of Kin

Route 1, St. Petersburg, FL – address of parents, George and Cora Underwood

Service & Campaigns
Before joining battalion

Enlisted in Orlando, Florida, 22 October 1942. Boot camp with Fifth Recruit Battalion, Parris Island; transferred to 13th Separate Recruit Battalion, New River, North Carolina. Outposted directly to Baker Company, First Separate Battalion (Reinforced).

 

Roi-Namur

Outfit: B/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 746 (BARman)

Campaign Narrative

Saipan

Outfit: B/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 653 (Squad Leader)
Important Events:
July 1, 1944 – listed as sick (diagnosis unknown) and sent to field hospital
July 4, 1944 – returned to duty from sick
July 8, 1944 – photographed on Saipan by W. Eugene Smith and Stanley Troutman
July 18, 1944 – promoted to corporal

Received letter of commendation:

For excellent service in the line of his duties while serving as a squad leader of a rifle squad during the invasion and capture of Saipan, Marianas Islands, from 15 June to 9 July 1944. His courageous leadership, initiative, and devotion to duty were an inspiration to those in whose charge he had been placed, and his willingness to give battle aided materially to the success of his organization.

Campaign Narrative

Tinian

Outfit: B/1/24th Marines
Rank: Corporal
MOS: 653 (Squad Leader)

Campaign Narrative

Iwo Jima

Outfit: B/1/24th Marines
Rank: Corporal
MOS: 737 (Rifle NCO)
Important Events:
February 22, 1945 – wounded in action (contusion, head); evacuated to USS Hocking.
February 26, 1945 – to beach from Hocking; returned to duty
March 4, 1945 – killed in action (shrapnel wound, back).

Received Bronze Star Medal for actions on this date.

For heroic service as Squad Leader while serving with Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, Fourth Marine Division, during operations against Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 4 March 1945. When his unit was held up by vicious fire from an entrenched enemy strong point, Corporal Underwood deployed his men for an assault, dauntlessly picking up a Browning Automatic Rifle when his carbine was shot from his hands. Fatally wounded as he valiantly led a spirited attack against the fiercely defended hostile emplacement, Corporal Underwood, by his aggressive courage and inspiring leadership, contributed materially to the destruction of the enemy position, thus enabling his platoon to advance. His unwavering devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Campaign Narrative

Individual Decorations

Medal
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
– with Gold Star

Campaign
Iwo Jima (March 4, 1945)
Iwo Jima (Feb. 22, 1945)
Iwo Jima (March 4, 1945)

Citation
See above

Service Stories

Please share a story if you knew this Marine.

Just a few words to let you know that I'm okeh. I know you have been looking for a letter from me for some time, but I haven't had much chance to write until now. I'm on Saipan and have been since the first day of the invasion! ...it was plenty tough and the fighting was rugged, but it is pretty well mopped up now. In fact, I suppose you people at home know more about what is going on than I do. There isn't much I can tell you.

***

I'm sending Pop a saber and bayonet that I picked up during the operations. [I'd like] to come home, go fishing, and catch a few of those trout that are running through the Pass now. There's plenty of water around here, but I haven't been fishing for anything except a few [Japanese]. I got seven on this operation and helped get a lot more!

I received your letter and the picture out of the paper that was taken on Saipan. It was funny about that. I never had any idea it would get home. I just bent down low to take a drink and my picture was taken. The fellow asked me my name and home address. Heavy fighting was going on where the picture was taken and the island wasn't secured for about six or eight days later.

When the [Japanese] were making one of their banzai attacks, or were in holes where they shoot at you, you didn't have much chance of hitting him. But just give one a little time and he'll stick his head up. Then you try to knock it off. [I'm] no longer on Saipan or Tinian. I;m right back where I started from. You know as much as you ever did, but that is all I can tell you.
Gallery

The Weary Warrior

How "T. E. Underwood" went from youthful fisherman
to a famous face of World War II.

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