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| Herbert Patton Underwood
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| NO. 17666 • 8 February 1927 – 28 February 1987
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Died 28 February 1987 in Sylacauga, Alabama, aged 60 years.
Inurnment: Columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
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HERBERT PATTON UNDERWOOD was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on 8 February
1927, the son of the late Clarence Woody Underwood and Mrs. Tapley Lee (Patton)
Klein. He was valedictorian of the Class of 1945 at Columbia Military Academy,
Columbia, Tennessee, and was appointed to the United States Military Academy in
June 1946. He was the first appointee from Franklin County, Alabama to graduate
from West Point.
The October following graduation he married the former Florence
Bernadette Swinyard of New York, New York (divorced in 1981). By the fall of
1955 he was the loving father of four.
Twenty‑one years were spent in the service of his country. He saw
military action in Korea and Vietnam, and was the recipient of the Bronze Star
in 1951 and 1968 and the Army Commendation Medal in 1951. His military
assignments included tactical officer with the Officer Candidate School, Fort
Benning, Georgia; both Infantry and Engineering School Basic Courses at Fort
Benning and Fort Belvoir, Virginia; instructor at the Engineer School, Murnau,
West Germany; company commander, 35th Engineer Battalion, Kitzingen, West
Germany; Infantry Advanced Class, Fort Benning; the Infantry Board, Fort
Benning; S4, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Wurzburg, West
Germany; executive officer and commanding officer, 15th Infantry Battalion, Kitzingen,
West Germany; Research and Development, Infantry Weapons, Rock Island Arsenal,
Illinois; professor of Military Science, Bucknell University, Lewisburg,
Pennsylvania; and his final assignment prior to retirement in 1971 with the
Department of Research & Development at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville,
Alabama.
He became an authority on the M‑16 rifle. Initially involved with
the original testing of this weapon during his tour of duty with the Infantry
Board in 1958, later assignments saw him involved with the writing of contracts
awarded for its manufacture. He was twice sent on temporary duty to Vietnam to
follow up on its performance in battle.
Following retirement, he pursued a hobby that intrigued him all his life,
the building and flying of radio controlled model airplanes. Always a
perfectionist, his handmade airplanes were works of art which he proudly
displayed and competed with in meets all over the country.
In the later years of his life, his interests in combating illiteracy led
him to the Reading Reform Foundation. He intended to work with the
underprivileged and the penal systems. However, he chose to begin his efforts
closer to home. It gave him such satisfaction to work as a volunteer phonics
instructor for his granddaughter Nicole's Summer Day Camp Program, and also for
the Oregon, Ohio, Summer School Remedial Reading Program. Once the school year
began, he also assisted the first grade teachers (in Nicole's school) in their
reading classes. Today Nicole is an above average reader, implementing the
disciplines permanently instilled by her "Grandpa Woody.”
Diagnosed in December 1986 with terminal cancer, his battle was over just
3 short months later. He is inurned in the Columbarium at Arlington National
Cemetery.
Surviving are his mother; two sons, Keith and Herbert, Jr.; two
daughters, Diane and Karen; two grandsons, Kevin and Herbert III; and four
granddaughters, Nicole, Michelle, Mallory and Amy.
From his eulogy delivered by his daughter Karen, "He will live in
our hearts for infinity, as there will still be things our memories will keep;
some things known to each other only."
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USMA 1950