Subdeacon Joe Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 WWII uncovered: The "Weary Warrior": The Man Behind the Famous Photo During World War II this photograph taken by W. Eugene Smith entitled the “Weary Warrior” circulated throughout Florida and the United States as a representation of the Marines fighting in the Pacific Theater. On July 8, 1944 Smith captured this famous image during the fighting on Saipan. Saipan was declared secure the next day and the photo hit the press. Identified as Thomas Ellis from St Petersburg Florida, this famous photo became a representation of the US Marine. (The First Battalion, 24th Marines Web Archive 1-24thmarines.com) Private First Class Thomas Ellis Underwood, of St Petersburg Florida, registered for service with the Marine Corps on October 22, 1942. Thomas was 20 years old. He served with Company B, First Battalion, 24th Marines, Fourth Marine Division. Thomas saw his first action on the island of Namur. "Underwood was examined for promotion and re-graded with the MOS of 653 (squad leader) at Camp Maui on 1 April 1944. Corporal Underwood made his third combat landing on the island of Tinian. Fighting for this island lasted just over a week. Underwood and Baker Company were then sent to Iwo Jima. During the intense fighting on D plus 13 Corporal Underwood was fatally wounded on March 4, 1945." (The First Battalion, 24th Marines Web Archive 1-24thmarines.com) Corporal Thomas Ellis Underwood was 22 years old. He lies in rest at the Sunnyside Cemetery in St Petersburg Florida. Lest We Forget. Colorization compliments of Johnny Sirlande of Historic Photo Restored in Color. To view more of his work visit: https://www.facebook.com/hprcolor #ww2uncovered #greatestgeneration #usmc #worldwar2 #worldwartwo #WorldWarII #ww2history #semperfi #SemperFidelis #honorthefallen #wwiihistory #WWIIveteran #Salute #SaluteAndRespect #marines #WWII #pacifictheater #ww2 #ww2veteran #honor #usmilitary #honorveterans #usmarines Original description sourced by The First Battalion, 24th Marines Web Archive 1-24thmarines.com and ancestry.com. Photo sourced by Historic Photo Restored in Color (used with permission of the artist) Original photographer W. Eugene Smith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 Semper Fi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cypress Sun Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 I've driven by this graveyard dozens of times. Next time I'm down there I'll stop and put a small flag on his grave. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7222184/thomas-ellis-underwood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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