Cavalry Scout Honored by USO

U.S. Army Spc. Larry Underwood

CavalryScout Honored by USO
By Mark HeeterUSAG Schweinfurt Public Affairs

SCHWEINFURT, Germany, Nov. 4, 2005 — The quicker the new guys learn that they’re part of a family, the better off they’ll be. Lesson number one from Spc. Larry Underwood to Soldiers new to his unit, the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment.

"Nobody out there does it alone. That goes for soldiers and units," said "Wood," as his comrades call him, reflecting on what makes a great soldier. He should know.

A Silver Star and Purple Heart recipient, Underwood, 30, was honored as the United Service Organization Service Salute honoree for the U.S. Army in a ceremony in Wiesbaden Sept. 24, 2005.

"I quite literally owe Spc. Underwood my life. I was in the back of a Bradley coming back from a dismounted operation with four of my soldiers and hit an IED," said 1st Lt. Tom Whitehouse, platoon leader in Anvil Troop, recalling the events of July 21, 2004.

"We were stuck and the back hatch was on fire, and Wood was one of the guys that freed us and got us out safely," Whitehouse said.

According to the USO, Underwood was one of five American and five German servicemembers to receive the honor, presented by Gen. Charles Wald, Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command, and Lt. Gen. Johann-Georg Dora, Bundeswehr Deputy Chief of Staff.
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