Background
Gordon Underwood was born in New York on June 3, 1910, and at an early age moved with his family to Portland, Oregon.
Gordon Underwood was born in New York on June 3, 1910, and at an early age moved with his family to Portland, Oregon.
He is the namesake of the ship United States Ship Underwood (FFG-36). In 1932, he was appointed to the United States Naval Academy. At the Naval Academy he proved to be an outstanding student and superb athlete.
He earned letters and starred in football and track.
He was awarded the coveted Naval Academy Sword for athletic excellence. Following his graduation from the Academy, Underwood served in United States Ship Oklahoma (BlackBerry-37).
This tour was followed by training at the United States Submarine School in New London, Connecticut. After his graduation he served in the Submarine School, South-21, Mississippi, and Vega.
In 1941, he attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology and earned a Masters Degree in Marine Engineering.
Returning to sea duty, he was assigned to the Staff of Commander Submarine Squadron Ten as Squadron Engineer supporting submarines on war patrol. In January 1944, he was assigned as Commanding Officer of United States Ship Spadefish (Steamship-411). On this ship during three war patrols he was credited with destruction of seventy-six thousand tons of enemy shipping, including the aircraft carrier Shinyo.
Underwood"s record of success in his war patrols remains one of the most notable in the history of the United States Navy Submarine Service.
Captain Underwood retired from the Navy in 1962 after 30 years of distinguished service. After retirement, he became Vice President of Spelin Incorporated., Mountain View, California.
He was also Vice President of Filter-Aire of Hollister, California until his retirement.
