PFC T. E. Underwood, Company B, 24 Marines, Fourth Marine Division. Saipan, 1944.
2018 November
This customised and kit/bashed figure is my interpretation of a famous iconic image of a US Marine taken during the US invasion of the Pacific island of Saipan.
It was a personal challenge in many ways for me, but as always, the results from the iterative process of deep research, exploration, and multiple testings bore fruit. I also particularly enjoyed gleaning the background knowledge of the character. Many thanks to George Cater on the feedback for correct attachment of the carbine sling.
PFC Thomas Underwood, later promoted to Corporal was a sharpshooter with his carbine and equally qualified as a BAR gunner. A decorated war hero, he died of his injuries - sharpnel to his back and head contusion - leading his squad in an assault on an enemy strongpoint.
On July 18, Underwood was awarded his corporal’s stripes and a commendation from his division commander, General Clifton Cates. He perished in an assault on an enemy strongpoint on Iwo Jima and was awarded the Victory Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Purple Heart (with gold star; one for his head wound and one for his death) and the Bronze Star with V device for his bravery on Iwo Jima.
The iconic World War II photograph of him has caused a bit of debate, with some believing that the warrior, captioned as a war-weary Marine on Saipan, was in fact an Army sergeant named Angelo Klonis; this has been proven untrue. Click on the link to read more about how this was proven untrue.
https://1stbattalion24thmarines.com/research/underwood-v-klonis-i/
2018 November
This customised and kit/bashed figure is my interpretation of a famous iconic image of a US Marine taken during the US invasion of the Pacific island of Saipan.
It was a personal challenge in many ways for me, but as always, the results from the iterative process of deep research, exploration, and multiple testings bore fruit. I also particularly enjoyed gleaning the background knowledge of the character. Many thanks to George Cater on the feedback for correct attachment of the carbine sling.
PFC Thomas Underwood, later promoted to Corporal was a sharpshooter with his carbine and equally qualified as a BAR gunner. A decorated war hero, he died of his injuries - sharpnel to his back and head contusion - leading his squad in an assault on an enemy strongpoint.
On July 18, Underwood was awarded his corporal’s stripes and a commendation from his division commander, General Clifton Cates. He perished in an assault on an enemy strongpoint on Iwo Jima and was awarded the Victory Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Purple Heart (with gold star; one for his head wound and one for his death) and the Bronze Star with V device for his bravery on Iwo Jima.
The iconic World War II photograph of him has caused a bit of debate, with some believing that the warrior, captioned as a war-weary Marine on Saipan, was in fact an Army sergeant named Angelo Klonis; this has been proven untrue. Click on the link to read more about how this was proven untrue.
https://1stbattalion24thmarines.com/research/underwood-v-klonis-i/
!
