Crew Photos

This is a section I have been wanting to start for a long time.  Simply pictures of the crew,  Survivors and KIA.  Please send your pictures and any text describing the picture. I will also start looking through the archives and adding pictures but feel free to send me what you would like to see also. Thanks Jay

Stanley J. Abcunas (KIA)

Read more about Stanley here.

John Raymond Boyd (KIA)

Dear Underhill family

My Uncle, RM3c John Raymond Boyd, served and was killed that fateful day in 1945.

The photo (to the left) was taken in Mobile Alabama in 1944. With him in the photo is a women by the name of Clara Tew. If anyone knowing John Raymond Boyd knew this lady, I would like to have more information on her. My other Uncle, Smitty Boyd (Raymond's brother) told me the lady in the photo was Raymond's fiancee. John Raymond Boyd was born in Natchez Mississippi (Adams County).

If any of the surviving crew members knew my Uncle, I would like to hear about him from you. I never knew him.  I was not born until 1953.

My Uncle is survived by two brothers still living, both in the New Orleans area and both WWII era vets Merion "Smitty" Boyd and William Edwin Boyd. William E. Boyd is my father.

I served my country in the US Army for 8 years, I am a Vietnam veteran (1971-1972) and retired from the USNR in 1994. To all of you from the USS Underhill, I say thank you for your service and God bless you.

Raymond was born in April 1924 and was 20-21 years old at the time of his death.

Would you also include the personal message that if any survivor has any information or additional photos of John Raymond Boyd, Clara Tew, or any information about Raymond or Clara to please contact me at my email or home phone.

Thanks Very Much,

David M. Boyd Sr.
Nephew of John Raymond Boyd
(Contact Information)
Home: 719-382-9641
Colorado Springs Co.
Email:
boydsrpvr@yahoo.com

 

Jay H. Conlin  (KIA)

My father was good friends with Jay Conlin and I was named after him. (Jay Crum)

Rodger J. Crum (S)

Baxter Wayne Garrett (KIA)

This photo was supplied by Adam Garrett, nephew of Baxter. Baxter was a Seaman First Class and a really great young guy.

I am sure Adam would be very happy to hear from one of the crew that remembers Baxter.  He can be contacted at adam.garrett@verizon.net

Jacob C. Golba (S)

Other information about Jacob on this site

Cecil Heming (KIA)

Cecil Heming was the son of Paul and Agnes Heming and was born on July 24, 1926.
He enlisted on his 17th birthday and was killed exactly two years later on his 19th birthday - July 24th 1945.

Cecil had two brothers, Gerald and Rick Heming.

He was a Soundman Third Class and went down with the forward section of the USS Underhill on July 24, 1945.

Submitted By:
Rick Heming and Duane Carney

 John D. Houglin (S)

Here is a picture I would like you to put in your crew picture section. It is of my grandfather...John D Houglin.

Also, if you can mention me Tim, and my mom (John's daughter) Terri.

John died of cancer on October 17, 1990. I can provide many more picture from this time period plus any from the late 80s, for those who knew him and want to see him as I knew him. He was a ship's cook.

I found his discharge papers...
His full rank/branch was
SC2C V6 USNR

Awards/medals:
Asiatic Pacific
Phillippine Liberation
Purple Heart
American Theater

Thanks
Tim

Benjamin C.  Hubbard (KIA)

The son of Benjamin C. Hubbard (KIA) sent me this photo of his father.

Many thanks Benjamin.  It is a pleasure to add your fathers picture to this page.

His son’s name is:
Benjamin Congdon Hubbard III

Please also read the eyewitness account of the sinking that Ben provided to us and was a part of their family record.

 

My father, Benjamin C. Hubbard Jr., was one of four children and was raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Upon graduating from high school in 1936, he went on to attend the University of Chicago and graduated with a degree in business in 1940.  Instead of returning home to join the family warehousing business, he got his first job at the General Box Company in Cincinnati. Shortly after arriving, he met my mother at a church concert, and they were married in late 1941.

When the US entered the war, my father attempted to enlist but was rejected for military service due to a cyst on his spine.  However, he persisted in additional attempts in the first year or so of the war because of his strong sense of duty to serve his country.  Finally, due to a shortage of officers, the US Navy instituted the “90-day wonder” program for anyone with a college degree; my father applied immediately and was accepted.  Upon graduation from that program, he received a commission of Lt. J.G. (Lieutenant Junior Grade) and was assigned to the USS Underhill.

When I was born on May 4, 1944, my father was at sea on his first cruise on the USS Underhill. He saw me for the first time after the ship docked in New London, Connecticut and my mother made the train trip with me from Cincinnati to New London.  We were united as a family just one more time in early 1945 when the Underhill stopped for about a week in San Diego on the way to Leyte; my father made the cross-country trip by train for the short 48-hour visit at home.

John Maki (S)

Gus Valsamedis (S)

See additional information about Gus HERE

Eugene L. Wagstaff (S)

Richard Jackson Ward (S)

Dear Jay,

I found an old photo of my uncle that served aboard the Underhill. His name was"Richard Jackson Ward" and was known to his shipmates as "JW".

He was oridganally from Marion Virginia but lived out his life around Batavia NY after the war. I'm sorry to say her never lived to see your website as he died before it was published. It would make me very happy if you could post this picture on your site and see if any of his shipmates remember him. I have no knowlege as to his job/duty aboard the Underhill. I would love to hear from shipmates that might still be alive remember him and maybe have a story they could share. All I know about him is that he was blown off the ship and was rescued. Shipmates may reach me at donnyfward@hotmail.com

Great website, Donny

George Wooten (S)

See additional information about George HERE.
[Home] [New Additions] [About Underhill] [July 24th 1945] [Crew Photos] [Kaiten Information] [The Japan Connection] [Stories] [Reunion Information] [In Memory] [News & Events] [Links] [Just Photos] [Guest Book] [Founding] [Dedication] [About This Site]