It should come as no surprise that a former Chillicothean would be awarded for serving in the military.
Known for wearing their patriotism on their sleeves, residents may be surprised to learn that an 86 year old now living in Chicago served in the U.S. Marine Corps Women’s Reserve.
To highlight March as National Women’s History Month, Muriel Frieda Underwood was named Illinois’ veteran of the month March 30. The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs hosted a “Salute to Women Veterans” that day in Chicago.
“We were a very patriotic family,” said Underwood from her home on the northwest side of Chicago.
Her father served in the U.S. Army in the Philippines. Her brother, Earl Wallace, or Bill as he was known, served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II.
“I think people don’t quite understand the mood of that time,” Underwood said about those not living during World War II. “I just wanted to do something.”
On Oct. 12, 1943, two days after her 20th birthday, Underwood enlisted. Women could not enlist until they were 20 at the time, she said.
She readily admits she had no idea what her service would entail.
“I went to camp with an open mind.”
In civilian life, she ran a mimeograph machine, used before the days of a copy machine.
With that as her background, it became her job while in the service, copying orders and memos going around the camp.
She trained at Camp Lejeune and then was stationed near San Diego for the rest of her time.
She kept busy at the camp, and, along with 250 to 300 women, replaced men who were sent to the front lines in the south seas.
Just because she was in the office did not mean all her female cohorts were.
Others trained in the areas of radio, post office and motor pool.
“We were attacked and the Japanese were floating balloons,” Underwood said to describe the time period. “The Germans were in U-boats and there were spies. You did what you could. You just followed orders.”
Underwood said living through the Depression assisted those living in war time.
“You had to make do a lot and use your wits,” said Underwood.
When she received a few days off, she visited with her uncle, who lived north of Los Angeles, or would go to LA for a weekend.
She also found time to take art classes in San Diego and tried her hand at painting.
Once she was discharged from the military, she had to wait a year to sign up for the School of Art Institute of Chicago on the GI bill.
Receiving a diploma from the art institute, she was hired by a textbook company.
She worked in the promotions department for Scott Foresman, known for its Dick and Jane reading books.
She later designed children’s books and eventually freelanced as a designer of artwork for books, news magazines and more.
The highest price
While Underwood remained in the states during World War II, her brother, Bill, was in a “super secret” plane squadron.
He first patrolled the Atlantic looking for U-boats. Then he was sent to England to help with getting supplies.
Painted black, the plane he was in took a direct hit in Epanil, France, trying to get supplies behind the German lines there.
He and all who were in the plane died, but family did not find that out until after the war ended. Bill was listed as Missing In Action for 18 months.
Underwood is currently working on a memorial for Bill to be placed with the family plot in Chillicothe City Cemetery.
Family
Underwood’s father worked on the Santa Fe Railroad as a fireman and was on the train from Chicago to Chillicothe.
Two of her oldest siblings were born in Chicago.
When his layovers began to be longer in Chillicothe, the family moved to town in 1912, where the family flourished with four more children.
Underwood was born and raised on Benedict Street at a time when fields could be seen from her house.
She attended only Chillicothe schools until her freshman year of high school, when her family moved back to Chicago.
She graduated from Englewood High School in 1941.
But Chillicothe left its mark on the Underwood family.
Her oldest brother, Bruce, 13 years her senior, named her after principal L.L. Pearce’s daughter, Muriel.
She also had older sisters, Hazel and Vera, and younger sister, Bette.
Bruce was a mechanic and worked at Caterpillar Inc. in his later years. He and Bill, who was four years older than Underwood, raced motorcycles in the late 1930s. Bruce built them and Bill raced them.
“They won a lot of races,” remembered Underwood.
Bill also was a well-known Golden Glove boxer.
Here and now
Underwood joined the Women Marine’s Association in 1983. She also belongs to the Marine Corps League and supports Toys for Tots, veterans returning home and VA hospitals with cards and supplies they need.
She writes a newsletter three or four times a year for the Chicago area chapter of the women’s group.
She adds the photographs and designs the newsletter with InDesign using her Macintosh computer.
“I was surprised that I was picked,” said Underwood on her honor. “I put on my green cap and show up at these veterans things to let them know there were women in the Marine Corps in World War II.”
