RAKE SEAMAN IN PACIFIC KILLED
Died of Wounds After Philippine Invasion
Rake -- According to word from the navy department, Bevis A. Underbakke, radarman 3/c, died of wounds following action in the service of his country.
Enlisting in the navy at Des Moines, June 1, 1943, at the age of 17 years, Bevis A. Underbakke, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Underbakke, completed his boot training at Farragut, Idaho,following which he spent a 20-day leave at home Aug 15. he left for Treasure Island, Cal., where he completed his training and was assigned to the U.S.S. Johnston D.D. 557, a destroyer.
He sailed Jan. 4, 1944 and had been in active duty since somewhere in the Pacific. The Johnston and Hoel were 2 destroyers sunk in the Philippine naval battle of Oct. 22-27, along with the 4 other ships.
Bevis was the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Underbakke, was born and reared in this community, was graduated from the local high school with the class of 1942 and attended Waldorf college at Forest City the following year.
He is survived by his parents, 2 sisters and 2 brothers. Audrey Underbakke of San Diego, Cal., Muriel who teaches at Bussey, Dennis, a student at Luther Collage at Decorah and Deryl at home.
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, Nov. 22, 1944 (photo included)
Bevis Arlowe Underbakke was born Aug. 1925 to Bert and Alida Oswald Underbakke. He died Oct. 24, 1944 and has a cenotaph in Graceland Cemetery, Buffalo Center, IA. He is memorialized at the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Taguig City, Philippines.
Petty Officer Underbakke served in World War II with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Johnston (DD-447) and died (and was buried at sea) in the South Pacific. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Sources: ancestry.com; abmc.gov
