Memories of World War II often surface in unexpected ways, even decades after the events. For Karen Finnerty, a resident of Watkinsville, Georgia, a simple piece of metal brought her closer to her father’s wartime experiences than she ever anticipated.
Finnerty was astonished to be reunited with a dog tag belonging to her father, James Underwood, who served in Gen. George Patton’s 3rd Army. This significant artifact returned to her after being discovered in England, 80 years post-war.
Underwood was a part of the 267th Field Artillery Battalion and later settled in Tifton, Georgia. Known for his flooring business, Underwood Carpet, Tile, and Flooring, he became a respected member of the community. His service extended beyond military duty; he spent 56 years with the local American Legion as a board member while raising four children with his wife, Edna.
Discovery in the English Woods
While hiking in Savernake Forest near Marlborough, England, Karl Cranham stumbled upon a remarkable find. What began as a search for old bottles led him to a piece of bronze metal lodged in the mud—Underwood’s dog tag.
Recognizing its significance, Cranham contacted the Barnesville Herald Gazette in Georgia, as Barnesville was inscribed on the tag. Walter Geiger from the Herald Gazette worked with a town historian to trace the Underwood family, eventually connecting with Finnerty.
Through conversations with Cranham, Finnerty received the dog tag, unearthing stories of her father’s military endeavors.
Reconstructing the Past
Despite Underwood’s reticence about his wartime experiences, the dog tag inspired Finnerty to delve into his past. Her research revealed that after sustaining a shoulder injury, Underwood joined the 267th Battalion. The unit was instrumental in supporting Patton’s army during the Normandy invasion and subsequent operations in France.
Underwood played a crucial role as a bridge guard and was involved in liberating French towns and rescuing POWs after the war’s end. This revelation allowed Finnerty to reconnect with her father’s legacy.
“I feel like we’ve been reconnected to that part of my dad’s life. It’s a treasure,” Finnerty expressed. “It’s just miraculous that this dog tag was there for 82 years.”
Finnerty intends to share the dog tag with her siblings, Larry Roberts and Cindy Underwood-Fuller, and hopes to pair it with her father’s reissued service medals, preserving his memory and honoring his service.
