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Wounded soldier from Harrison is among those making 3-day bike trip

KY3 | NBC
By Celia Dewoody, Harrison Daily Times
04.24.08

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Maj. Dave Underwood of Harrison, Ark., is among the "Wounded Warriors" group that President George W. Bush will welcome at the White House on Thursday. The group then will make a three-day bike ride to raise awareness of the capabilities of injured service men and women.

The ride is from Washington to Annapolis, Md. Itıs called the White House to Light House Challenge. The event is in its second year. ----

Here's a report about Underwood published April 6, 2008:

Major David Underwood learns to use his prosthetic arm after being injured by an IED in Iraq this year.
by Celia Dewoody, Harrison Daily Times

WASHINGTON, D. C. -- You can't keep a good man down.

United States Army Maj. David C. Underwood Jr. - son of retired Air Force Col. David Underwood of Harrison - is living proof.

On Jan. 16, an IED explosion in Iraq took his left arm several inches below the elbow, and both legs suffered puncture wounds. But Underwood is working hard and making progress in his rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C.

In a letter dated March 31, Underwood said, "This month started with me in a wheelchair, and ended with me walking from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol Building (several miles.)"

The career Army officer reports that March was an amazing month for his family. On March 4, he was moved out of the hospital and into the nearby Fisher House with his wife, Malissa, while he continues rehabilitation. Malissa had been living in Savannah, Ga., with their two children while her husband was in Iraq.

"Also in early March, I was tested and fitted with my first prosthetic arm," Underwood said. "I have spent the past three weeks working to improve control of my new arm, and I am getting pretty good."

On March 14, Underwood was given a tour of the Pentagon, where people lined the hallways to shake his hand. He was invited to have lunch in the Secretary of Defense's lunchroom, and visited with a lot of Army brass.

His children, Thomas, 6, and Alexandra, 4, came up from Savannah to visit their dad, and their parents took them to the Easter Egg Roll at the White House.

A few days later, Underwood was invited to go to the Washington Nationals' first baseball game in their new stadium as a guest of President George H. Bush. He and three other Iraq veterans sat in the owner's box with the President and First Lady.

"It was a great night," Underwood said.

Underwood will continue his rehab as an outpatient at Walter Reed for the rest of April, then he and Malissa will return to Savannah in May to pack their house and prepare for their June move to San Antonio, where Dave will be stationed at Fort Sam Houston for the next 18-24 months.

"I will finish my rehab at Brooke Army Medical Center and get my master's degree at St. Mary's University," he said. "Following our time in San Antonio, we should move to Fort Leavenworth for Command and General Staff College, another year of school. After that I hope to return to the Army in Korea or Europe."

The major has nothing but praise for Walter Reed Army Hospital.

"Walter Reed has been a wonderful place to recover," he said this week. "The doctors and staff are amazing professionals that accomplish the impossible everyday. My family and I could not be happier with the results that these incredible people have been able to achieve in a relatively short time."

Name and rank: Major David C. Underwood, Jr.

Branch of service and unit: US Army, 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division.

Military specialty: Field Artillery Officer.

Number of years in service: 19.5 (will be 20 years on 21 September 2008).

Parents: Colonel David C. Underwood and June E. Underwood.

Age: 37 (01 July 1970).

Hometown: Harrison, Ark.

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and minor in History, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

Connection to area: Parents live outside Harrison, and friends in Fayetteville

Why did you join the military: Father was carrier Air Force, and the military was what I wanted to do.

Places served include: Fort Bragg, N.C.; Katterbach, Germany; Camp Able Sentry, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Serbia; Schweinfurt, Germany; Forward Operating Base Loyalty, Baghdad, Iraq.

Best military experience: Leading soldiers in combat.

Worst military experience: Losing two soldiers and having three seriously wounded while in command.

What have you learned while in the military: That I enjoy leading and training soldiers.

Who are some of the most interesting people you've met from far away and what impact have they left on your life: Top on the list is Captain Nasir, my fellow Iraqi commander during the past year.

Biggest adjustment to military life: N/A. My father was in the military my entire time growing up.

Difference in military and civilian life: A lot of moves, which are a great thing.

What do you during free time: Watch movies, collect various things, and when we have time, travel and scuba diving.

What humanitarian efforts are you involved in: During OIF-3 (2005) and OIF-5 (2007) we built schools, roads, clinics, sewers, and re-opened canals.

Decorations include: Bronze Star; Army Commendation Medal (with three Oak Leaf Clusters); Army Achievement Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters); Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with two Oak-Leaf Clusters); and National Defense Service Medal (with one Bronze Star Device).

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