Gov. Beshear orders flags to half-staff in honor of WWII airman from Kentucky

Gov. Beshear orders flags to half-staff in honor of WWII airman from Kentucky

U.S. Army Air Forces Pfc. Weber S. Underwood, of Hopkinsville, will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery Tuesday

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) - Gov. Andy Beshear ordered that flags be lowered to half-staff in honor of a World War II airman from Kentucky.

From sunrise to sunset on Tuesday, Oct. 6, flags will be at half-staff at all state buildings in honor of U.S. Army Air Forces Pfc. Weber S. Underwood, who will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery the same day.

Underwood was from Hopkinsville, according to a news release from the governor’s office. He died during World War II, but was not accounted for until November 2025.

The airman was a member of the 28th Materiel Squadron, 20th Air Base Group, when Japanese forces invaded the Philippines.

Underwood was among those reported captured when U.S. forces in Bataan surrendered. A news release from the governor’s office said they were subjected to the Bataan Death March and held at a prisoner-of-war camp.

Citing prison camp and other historical records, the governor’s office said Underwood died on June 3, 1942, in the present-day province of Camarines Norte on the Philippine Island of Luzon.

Beshear encouraged individuals, businesses and organizations to join in the tribute.

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