Purple Heart of Samuel J. Underhill

Name/Title

Purple Heart of Samuel J. Underhill

Description

A purple and gold heart-shaped medal with the likeness of George Washington on the front. The back of the Purple Heart reads "For Military Merit Ensign Samuel J. Underhill USNR," and the medal itself hangs from a purple and white ribbon. The medal includes a bar-shaped purple and white pip pin. The medal and pip are stored in the original purple leather box with white silk and purple velvet linings.

Use

Purple Hearts are presented to servicemembers who are injured in the line of duty.

Context

An ensign pilot aboard the USS Yorktown (CV-5) and a part of VS-5, Samuel Underhill was killed in action during the Battle of the Coral Sea on May 8, 1942. This Purple Heart was presented to the family of Samuel Underhill on August 10, 1943.

Collection

USS Yorktown CV-5

Acquisition

Accession

2004.00031

Source or Donor

Family of Samuel J. Underhill

Acquisition Method

Found in Collection

Made/Created

Date made

circa 1940 - circa 1942

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Location

Back of medal

Transcription

FOR MILITARY MERIT ENSIGN SAMUEL J. UNDERHILL USNR

Language

English

Material/Technique

Embossed

Update Date

August 6, 2025