Carey Lee Underwood (abt. 1926 - 1945)

Born about 1926 in Knoxville, Knox, Tennessee, United States

Died 30 Jul 1945 at about age 19 in Philippine Sea

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Biography

Seaman 1st Class Carey Underwood served in the United States Navy in World War II
Service started: 18 Nov 1944
Unit(s): USS Indianapolis (CA-35)
Service ended: 30 Jul 1945

Seaman 1st Class Carey Underwood was Killed in Action during World War II.

Carey Underwood was awarded the Purple Heart.

Carey was born about 1926 in Knoxville, Tennessee. His parents were Rev John Thomas Underwood (1889–1960) and Belva A Self (1891–1950)

His Siblings were:

Howard Lonzo (Lonnie) Underwood (1913–1966)

Creed C Underwood (1914–)

Obia Veronia Underwood (1916–1980)

John Lillard Underwood (1928–1988)

Milton Underwood (1930–1973)

Verdie "Birdie" Irene Underwood (1934–1995)

Carey entered the Naval Reserve and was stationed on the USS Indianapolis on 18 Nov 1944 as Seaman 1st Class. In July 1945 the USS Indianapolis was sent on a secret mission to deliver the components of the Little Boy atomic bomb to Tinian Island without an escort, on the return trip, still without escort, it was attacked by a Japanese submarine. The USS Indianapolis sank in 12 minutes on 30 Jul 1945 with some 300 of the 1,195 crewmen aboard going down with the ship. With few lifeboats and many without life jackets, only 316 of the nearly 900 men set adrift survived the 4 days in shark infested water before rescue. Carey was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. The crew of the USS Indianapolis was later awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Carey is honored at two memorials: U.S.S. Indianapolis National Memorial, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana and Fort William Mckinley, Manila, Philippines.^[7][8]

Sources

1. ↑ U.S. Navy Casualities Book https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/79702:2324?tid=&pid=&queryId=cec29b60d7edbfb66109301b3d6c8ccd&_phsrc=EzO9323&_phstart=successSource
2. ↑ U.S., World War II Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Casualties https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/128139:1122?tid=&pid=&queryId=cec29b60d7edbfb66109301b3d6c8ccd&_phsrc=EzO9324&_phstart=successSource
3. ↑ U.S., Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Unaccounted-for Remains, Group B https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/22009:62207?tid=&pid=&queryId=cec29b60d7edbfb66109301b3d6c8ccd&_phsrc=EzO9325&_phstart=successSource
4. ↑ U.S., World War II and Korean Conflict Veterans Interred Overseas https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/146992:4283?tid=&pid=&queryId=cec29b60d7edbfb66109301b3d6c8ccd&_phsrc=EzO9326&_phstart=successSource
5. ↑ U.S., World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949 https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/21968968:1143?ssrc=pt&tid=66327649&pid=48153234888
6. ↑ U.S., World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949 https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/32072933:1143?ssrc=pt&tid=66327649&pid=48153234888
7. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/194110830/carey-lee-underwood: accessed 16 December 2022), memorial page for Carey Lee Underwood (1925–30 Jul 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 194110830, citing U.S.S. Indianapolis National Memorial, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA; Maintained by Laura J. Stewart (contributor 47412616).
8. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56786021/carey-lee-underwood: accessed 16 December 2022), memorial page for S1 Carey Lee Underwood (unknown–30 Jul 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 56786021, citing Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines

• "United States Census, 1930," database with images, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SP4G-D6L : accessed 17 December 2022), Carrie L Underwood in household of John T Underwood, Knoxville, Knox, Tennessee
• 1940 U.S. Census https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4C9-YJP