Service Photo |
Service Details |
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Last Photo |
Personal Details
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Home State
 New York | |
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Year of Birth 1917 |
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This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Michael D. Withers (Mike), OSCS
to remember
Underhill, Samuel Jackson, ENS.
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
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Casualty Info
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Home Town Jericho, Long Island |
Last Address Jericho, Long Island
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Casualty Date May 08, 1942 |
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Cause Hostile, Died |
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Sea |
Location Pacific |
Conflict World War II |
Location of Interment Not Specified |
Wall/Plot Coordinates Not Specified |
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1940-1940, Commander Navy Reserve Forces Command (COMNAVRESFORCOM)
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1941-1941, NAS Jacksonville FL
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1941-1941, Naval Flight Training
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1941-1941, 131X, NAS Norfolk
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1941-1941, 131X, CNO - OPNAV
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1941-1941, 131X, NAS San Diego
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1941-1942, 131X, VS-5
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1942-1942, 131X, USS Yorktown (CV-5)
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1942-1942, 131X, CTG 17.5 (Carrier Group), CTF 17
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Last Known Activity Pilot SBD-3 Dauntless, VS-5

To All Who Shall See These Presents Greeting:
This is to Certify that
The President of the United States of America
Takes Pleasure in Presenting

THE NAVY CROSS
to
UNDERHILL, SAMUEL JACKSON
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Samuel Jackson Underhill, Ensign, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane in Scouting Squadron FIVE (VS-5), embarked from the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Tulagi Harbor on 4 May 1942, and in the Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 and 8 May 1942. These attacks, vigorously and persistently pressed home in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, and on 8 May opposed also by enemy fighters, resulted in the sinking or damaging of at least eight enemy Japanese vessels at Tulagi and the sinking of one carrier and the sinking or severe damaging of another in the Coral Sea. Lieutenant Underhill's conscientious devotion to duty and gallant self-command against formidable odds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
NAME SAKE
USS UNDERHILL (DE-682)

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Comments/Citation Memorialized at: Manila American Cemetery
Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
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