Underhill, Samuel Jackson, ENS

  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)