World War II United States Marine Corps General. A veteran of both World Wars, he served in a wide variety of positions. Raised in San Francisco, he graduated from the University of California and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1913. Underhill commanded the Marine Detachment onboard the USS Arkansas in 1917 and 1918 before serving in France with the 8th Separate Battalion. Over the next two decades, his duties carried him to a large portion of the globe including Nicaragua (1919 to 1921), the Philippines (1924 to 1926), and to China twice, in 1927 and 1928, and again from 1937 to 1938. Promoted to Colonel in 1938, he commanded the Marine Barracks, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and was serving at Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., at the outbreak of the war. Underhill received his first star in 1942, and during the conflict, commanded the Marine Corps Bases at San Diego, California; and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Late in the war, he served in the South Pacific, commanding the island of Tinian, and at the cessation of hostilities was Inspector General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. He was President of the Post War Reorganization Board at Headquarters Marine Corps until his retirement on November 1, 1946, at which time he was appointed Lieutenant General. In later years, he lived in Carmel, California, and maintained an association with the Defense Language Institute in Monterey. The General's awards include the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star.
World War II United States Marine Corps General. A veteran of both World Wars, he served in a wide variety of positions. Raised in San Francisco, he graduated from the University of California and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1913. Underhill commanded the Marine Detachment onboard the USS Arkansas in 1917 and 1918 before serving in France with the 8th Separate Battalion. Over the next two decades, his duties carried him to a large portion of the globe including Nicaragua (1919 to 1921), the Philippines (1924 to 1926), and to China twice, in 1927 and 1928, and again from 1937 to 1938. Promoted to Colonel in 1938, he commanded the Marine Barracks, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and was serving at Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., at the outbreak of the war. Underhill received his first star in 1942, and during the conflict, commanded the Marine Corps Bases at San Diego, California; and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Late in the war, he served in the South Pacific, commanding the island of Tinian, and at the cessation of hostilities was Inspector General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. He was President of the Post War Reorganization Board at Headquarters Marine Corps until his retirement on November 1, 1946, at which time he was appointed Lieutenant General. In later years, he lived in Carmel, California, and maintained an association with the Defense Language Institute in Monterey. The General's awards include the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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