Name/Title
Purple Heart of Samuel J. UnderhillDescription
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-5Acquisition
Accession
2004.00031Source or Donor
Family of Samuel J. UnderhillAcquisition Method
Found in CollectionMade/Created
Date made
circa 1940 - circa 1942Inscription/Signature/Marks
Type
InscriptionLocation
Back of medalTranscription
FOR MILITARY MERIT
ENSIGN SAMUEL J. UNDERHILL
USNRLanguage
EnglishMaterial/Technique
EmbossedUpdate Date
August 6, 2025
