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.

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.