Walter B. Jones: “I rise tonight in honor of a great American, an American who has returned home to be buried in his beloved country.…”

“I rise tonight in honor of a great American, an American who has returned home to be buried in his beloved country. Colonel Paul G. Underwood was not only a great American, he was also a beloved son, a brother, a husband, father and friend, who served our Nation as a brave pilot and who ultimately made the supreme sacrifice in the name of freedom. Colonel Underwood began his military career by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and then later transferring to the Air Corps. After attending school at Northrop Aeronautical School, he joined the Air Force where his flying duties led him to the F-105 Thunderchief. Through the course of his distinguished military career, Colonel Underwood earned a number of awards; including the Distinguished Flying Cross, an Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, a World War II Victory Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal and a Purple Heart. Prior to 1966, his war service to our Nation included World War II and Korea, with 201 combat missions. In January of that year, Colonel Underwood was deployed to Vietnam from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in eastern North Carolina. While there, he bravely and nobly performed 22 combat missions. Unfortunately, on March 18th, 1966, Colonel Underwood's F-105 Thunderchief was shot down. He was then listed MIA for 12 long years and was ultimately declared dead.”