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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Major David G. Underhill (ASN: 0-4074755), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a member of the 7th Psychological Operations Group, United States Army, Ryukyu Islands, during the period June 1962 to March 1967. As a result of his diligence and strong dedication to duty, a vast improvement has been brought about in the organization’s ability to conduct effective research. He has consistently identified vulnerabilities and opportunities and has, either informally or though formal briefings, brought these to the attention of appropriate staff personnel, complete with background data, to insure the proper recognition and importance of the material. Through frequent visits to Korea he has maintained his language proficiency and has established outstanding relations with Republic of Korea psychological operations counterpart personnel, while at the same time he guided defector interrogation in order to obtain a larger volume of psychological operations intelligence. Throughout his tour with the 7th Psychological Operations Group on Okinawa, as well as while on extended temporary duty tours to other commands and countries, Major Underhill has served as an inspiration to all with whom he came in contact. His dedication to duty, enthusiasm, willingness, and competent approach made outstanding impressions on United States military and civilian agencies, as well as on representatives of foreign governments. Through his professional competence and cooperative spirit, he has been able to establish a high degree of rapport with Korean and Chinese students as well as with staff and operational personnel of the two armies and has been able to effectively impart invaluable contributions to these countries’ individual group briefings, while he also presented classes on high altitude dissemination of leaflets to foreign students and to Army and Air Force personnel on Okinawa. Major Underhill’s outstanding achievements are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

Awards Received

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    November 1967 – September 1968

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Major David G. Underhill (ASN: 0-4074755), United States Army, for meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force during the period November 1967 to September 1968 while serving as Psychological Warfare Officer, Development Branch, Psychological Operations Directorate, Headquarters, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Major Underhill served as the principal staff advisor to the Director of Psychological Operations on matters pertaining to propaganda development and dissemination. He labored continuously to reduce the cost of operations and his suggestion to completely eliminate the limited use of book stock paper in leaflet production resulted in an estimated first year savings of $147,000. This was significant because paper costs amounted to 60 – 70 percent of the total cost of printing leaflets. Major Underhill fulfilled all his complex and internationally sensitive responsibilities in an outstanding manner, while demonstrating rare judgment, unremitting dedication to mission, and a most perceptive understanding of psychological warfare in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Underhill’s performance of duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Action Date:

    October 1968 – March 1973
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Pacific, General Orders No. 131 (March 30, 1973)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel David G. Underhill (ASN: 0-4074755), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period October 1968 to March 1973 while serving as a member of the 7th Psychological Operations Group, United States Army, Okinawa. Throughout this entire period Colonel Underhill was assigned to a succession of highly responsible positions such as Special Projects Officer, Executive Officer, 15th Psychological Operations Detachment (Strategic); Executive Officer, 7th Psychological Operations Group; and Commanding Officer, 244th Psychological Operations Detachment. He excelled in all of these positions and was a shining example of a truly competent officer. Colonel Underhill brought about many exceptional and positive changes which enhanced the productivity of the group. Through his initiative and devotion to duty, he compiled and published booklets which will be used as official references for various psychological operations activities. Colonel Underhill’s outstanding achievements are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.