Paul Gerard Underwood – Colonel, United States Air Force

Vietnam pilot’s remains found after 32 years: 12 March 1998:

In January 1966, Colonel Paul G. Underwood was deployed to Vietnam from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina, with the 333rd Tactical Fighter Squadron. His 105 Thunderchief was shot down March 16, 1966. He was listed as missing in action for 12 years, then declared dead.

His widow, Gloria McGovern Underwood of Goldsboro, formerly of Dansville, was recently notified that his remains had been recovered in North Vietnam by the U.S. recovery team. Col. Underwood will be laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery during a special ceremony to be held on March 16.

Colonel Underwood was born in Eureka, California to Myron and Thelma Underwood and grew up in Hornell.

He began his military career enlisting in the Marine Corps Reserve and later transferred to the Air Corps. After attending school at Northrop Aeronautical School, he joined the Air Force and was commissioned to second lieutenant. His flying duties included operating a myriad of propeller and jet driven aircraft, culminating in the F-105 (Thunderchief).

His awards include Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, American Campaign medal, WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Vietnam Service Medal, Airforce Longevity Award with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal, and Command Pilot Rating. His flying career placed him in many countries worldwide including England, Africa, Greece, Turkey, Korea, Thailand, Okinawa, and Vietnam. His war service included WWII, Korea with 201 combat missions, and Vietnam with 22 combat missions.

Colonel Underwood is survived by his wife, his sister Natalie Clark of Anguilla, British West Indies, sons and daughters Marilyn Alexieff of Raleigh, North Carolina, Kathleen White of Greensboro, North Carolina, James Underwood of Key Largo, Florida, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Underwood of Fort Irwin, California, David Underwood of Bel Air, Maryland, and Patricia Haag of Tampa, Florida. He is survived by 12 grandchildren, 3 nieces and 2 nephews.

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard