Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Chester
Jay
Underhill
1885-06-11

–

1971-02-04

Born:

, 

Massachusetts

Home:

Lynn

, 

Massachusetts

Chester Underhill was a Baptist minister who was serving as pastor of Weymouth Baptist Church in Massachusetts prior to World War I. In 1916 he began publishing a series of editorials that gave him some local notoriety as publisher of the “Weymouth Free Press.” Later that same year he resigned and accepted a call as Assistant Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. In 1917 he enlisted for service in World War I, and was commissioned a U.S. Navy Chaplain, serving with the 5th and 6th Regiments (Marines) in France. After the war he continued pastorates including the Washington Street Baptist Church in Lynn, Massachusetts, as well as serving as Commander of American Legion Post 6 in Easton, Massachusetts. In retirement he moved to Florida, where he died in 1971.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant (ChC)

    Regiment:

    6th Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    November 1 – 11, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order No. 5 (June 3, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Lieutenant (ChC) Chester J. Underhill, United States Navy, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Chaplain Underhill distinguished himself by gallantry in action while attached to the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, France, 1 – 11 November 1918, in caring for the wounded under heavy shell fire.
    (First Citation)

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant (ChC)

    Regiment:

    6th Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    World War I
    Headquarters, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order No. 64 (1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Lieutenant (ChC) Chester Jay Underhill, United States Navy, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION A.E.F., for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Chaplain Underhill distinguished himself by gallantry in action while attached to the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action against the enemy in the Champagne Sector, France, during World War I.
    (Second Citation)