Hot and weary after fighting on
the western beaches of Saipan,
Marine PFC T. E. Underwood of St. Petersburg, Fla., takes a long, cool drink of water from his canteen. Beads of perspiration glisten on the weary leatherneck’s unshaven face in this photo, taken July 8th, 1944 on Saipan.
Thomas Ellis Underwood – just “Ellis” to his family – was born in Parker, Florida on 16 May 1922. Ellis joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942. One year later, he was a proud member of Company B, First Battalion, 24th Marines – part of the brand new Fourth Marine Division.
Underwood first saw combat on the island of Namur; his company faced a Japanese banzai attack at dawn on 2 February 1944. Ellis was examined for promotion and re-graded with the MOS of 653 (squad leader) at Camp Maui on 1 April 1944. Although he lacked the second stripe of a corporal, Underwood could now lead a small Marine unit – probably a fire team of four – in combat.
This was his role when he landed on Saipan; by the time he encountered the photographers (Stanley Troutman and Eugene Smith) on 8 July, he led a squad. On July 24th, Corporal Underwood was making his third combat landing on the island of Tinian. Fighting for this island lasted just over a week.
Thomas Ellis Underwood – just “Ellis” to his family – was born in Parker, Florida on 16 May 1922. Ellis joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942. One year later, he was a proud member of Company B, First Battalion, 24th Marines – part of the brand new Fourth Marine Division.
Underwood first saw combat on the island of Namur; his company faced a Japanese banzai attack at dawn on 2 February 1944. Ellis was examined for promotion and re-graded with the MOS of 653 (squad leader) at Camp Maui on 1 April 1944. Although he lacked the second stripe of a corporal, Underwood could now lead a small Marine unit – probably a fire team of four – in combat.
This was his role when he landed on Saipan; by the time he encountered the photographers (Stanley Troutman and Eugene Smith) on 8 July, he led a squad. On July 24th, Corporal Underwood was making his third combat landing on the island of Tinian. Fighting for this island lasted just over a week.
Ellis had been wounded in action on Iwo Jima. As his company fought through the area around to Quarry, something dealt him a heavy blow on the head, raising a nasty contusion. He was evacuated to the battalion aid station, then to the beach, and ultimately to one of the transports offshore. Ellis returned to duty a few days later as his company rested in reserve.
On the first day of March, First Battalion attacked Iwo’s “Meat Grinder” complex, a hellish jumble of hills, gullies, and crags with names like “Hill 382,” “Turkey Knob,” and “The Amphitheater.” Baker Company waited in supporting positions for two days before taking over the Turkey Knob front from an exhausted Charlie Company. They lost heavily on 3 March and realized the next day would be more of the same.
As Baker Company attempted to advance on D-plus-13, a fortified position manned by determined Japanese troops opened fire, stopping the forward movement. Corporal Underwood took charge of the situation, deploying his under-strength squad for an attack on the enemy. As he did, a Japanese bullet struck and shattered his carbine in his hands.
“Undaunted by this narrow escape, he picked up a Browning Automatic Rifle and continued to lead his men in a successful assault,” recalled a battalion officer. This valorous act would be his last. A shell fragment tore into his back, and Thomas Ellis Underwood’s life ended on 4 March 1945. He was twenty-two years old.
A few days after his death, Underwood was buried in Row 29, Grave 1406 of the Fourth Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima. His personal effects were carefully cataloged and sent to his parents.
On 27 March 1945, a letter arrived for the Underwoods in St. Petersburg, Florida. The return address was a Marine Corps unit, but it wasn’t from their son. An unfamiliar Major was writing to inform them that Ellis had been wounded in action on Iwo Jima, but returned to duty – “which indicates that his injuries were not serious.” The major hoped that Ellis would “communicate at his earliest opportunity” and offered assurances that further reports would be forwarded without delay.
We can only guess at George and Cora’s reaction to this news. Certainly, they were relieved that Ellis hadn’t been seriously hurt and may have assumed that his lack of communication was due to his injury. They awaited the promised letter “at his earliest opportunity.”
It never came. Two days later, a Western Union telegram crushed the family’s hopes.
Research article: https://1-24thmarines.com/research/the-weary-warrior/
Semper Fi
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