updated 04/05/2011

Enlisting in the United States Navy in June of 1943, Bevis A. Underbakke, RDM 3/C completed boot camp in Farragut, Idaho. He was a crewman on the destroyer U.S.S. Johnston DD-557. The crew left San Francisco for the South Pacific on January 3, 1944. The ship was sunk by Japanese surface vessels on October 25, 1944, in the battle of Leyte Gulf. Underbakke died of wounds October 26, 1944, and was lost at sea. He received the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts and six Battle Stars. He was 19 years old at the time of his death.

~photo & caption from 'Rake, Iowa 1900-1975'
~contributed by Ken Moen

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RDM3/C Bevis Arlowe Underbakke

Bevis was born in Rake, Iowa, on August 24, 1925, to Bert and Alida Oswald Underbakke. Graduating from the Rake High School in May of 1942, he attended Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, for one year. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 5, 1943, and took his boot camp training at Farragut, Idaho. He was assigned to a Destroyer, the U.S.S. Johnston, DD557. In January 1944 he sailed from San Francisco to the South Pacific. The U.S.S. Johnston was engaged in numerous actions, some of which were the invasions of Guam, Kwajalein and Eniwetok Islands. In October 1944, they assisted in the landings at Leyte Gulf, Philippines. On the morning of October 25, 1944, they were attacked by a major force of the Japanese Navy. The ensuing battle has been described as one of the longest and greatest naval conflicts in history. They fought for 3 1/2 hours before their ship was sunk. From a crew of 350 men, they had 120 survivors. Although seriously wounded, Bevis was taken aboard a life raft. After a day and a half he died of his wounds and exposure and was buried at sea. A memorial, in his memory, is in the family lot in Graceland Cemetery in Buffalo Center, Iowa.

Bevis was awarded the following Medals and Ribbons: Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Ribbon, 7 Battle Stars and Ribbons, Asiatic Pacific Defense Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.

~Celebrate a Century, BUFFALO CENTER IOWA CENTENNIAL, 1892-1992., pg 141
~contributed by Ken Moen

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Rake Seaman in Pacific Killed - Dies of Wounds After Philippine Invasion

Rake, Ia. - According to word from the navy department, Bevis A. Underbakke, radar man 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 of Rake, completed his boot training at Farragut, Idaho, following which he spend 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. 537, 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 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 college in Decorah and Deryl at home.

~Mason City Globe-Gazette, November 22, 1944
~contributed by S. Ferrall

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Last Honors Given Sailor at Memorial

Rake, Ia. - Memorial services were held at the parental home and at the Liberty Lutheran church for Bevis A. Underbakke, R.M. 3/c. The American Legion post of Rake was in charge. Student Pastor Morris Ulring of Minneapolis, the newly called pastor, conducted the service.

He made the supreme sacrifice during the naval battle of the Philippines the last week of October, being a crew member of the U.S.S. Johnston, destroyer whch was sunk. Word reached his parents Nov. 20 that their son had died of wounds. He had reached the age of 19 years and 2 months.

He leaves his parents, 2 sisters, 2 brothers, his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Oswald, of Rake and his grandmother, Mrs. Mary Underbakke, of Burr Oak.

~Mason City Globe-Gazette, December 4, 1944
~contributed by S. Ferrall

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Additional information

Bevis A. Underbakke
Serial #6218908
Rank: Radarman, Third Class, US Navy
Entered service from Iowa
Date of Death: October 25, 1944
Memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines
Awarded the Purple Heart

~American Battle Monuments Commission website

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