Carey Lee Underwood was born in 1926 in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was the son of Rev. John Thomas Underwood and Belva A. Self.
-Memorialized at Manila American Cemetery in Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
-Siblings: Lannie H. Underwood, Creed C. Underwood, Alvia V Underwood, and Johan L. Underwood
-Served aboard the USS Indianapolis
Underwood died when heavy cruiser Indianapolis was torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I 58 northeast of Letye on July 29, 1945. Of the 1,196 men aboard, about 900 made it into the water in the twelve minutes before she sank. Few life rafts were released. Most survivors wore the standard kapok life jacket. Shark attacks began with sunrise of the first day, and continued until only 316 men were still alive when rescued, almost five days later.
The Knoxville News-Sentinel, August 14, 1945
With peace negotiations underway, Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas Underwood, 3201 Dance Avenue, hoped that within a few hours they would have reason to expect all four of their overseas sons home safely. But last night brought the Navy notification that the youngest, Seaman (first class) Carey Lee Underwood, 19, was missing in action as of July 30. “He had been in four major battles and he was home in May while his ship was being repaired,” the tall father explained today. “Carey was in the naval action around Iwo and Okinawa and in two task force strikes against Japan itself.”
Young Underwood attended Tyson Junior High before enlisting in January, 1944. The other service brothers are Sgt. Creed and Pfc. Howard Underwood, with the AAF in Italy; and Sgt. Obie Underwood, AAF, Hawaii.
- Rank: Seaman First Class
- Date of death: 30 July 1945
- County: Knox
- Hometown: Knoxville
- Service Branch: Navy
- Division/Assignment: USS Indianapolis (CA-35)
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VIII, Top Panel
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