Gerald O. Young
Gerald Orren Young | |
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37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron | |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Awards | Medal of Honor Distinguished Flying Cross Purple Heart Air Medal (3) |
Gerald Orren Young (May 19, 1930 – June 6, 1990) was a United States Air Force officer and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.
Early life
Gerald Young was born on May 19, 1930, in
Military career
He joined the Navy as an aviation technician's mate and served from 1947 to 1952, and from 1955 to 1956, when he transferred to the Air Force. He completed the
After completion of helicopter training, he was assigned to the Marshall Islands from July to December 1958, where he took part in missions in support of the nuclear weapon tests. From December 1958 to January 1960, he served in Japan before being deployed to the 566th Strategic Missile Squadron at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.[2]
Young served in the
Vietnam war
During the Vietnam War he served as a
On the night of November 8–9, 1967, Young's aircraft was one of two
Post war
Following his return to the US and subsequent hospitalisation for three months, Young was assigned to the 3637th Flying Training Squadron at
He next attended the
Later life
Young died of
Awards and decorations
His decorations include the following:
USAF Command pilot badge
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Medal of Honor | ||
Distinguished Flying Cross | Purple Heart | Air Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters |
Air Force Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster |
Air Force Presidential Unit Citation | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two bronze oak leaf clusters |
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
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Navy Good Conduct Medal
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National Defense Service Medal with service star |
campaign star
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Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver oak leaf cluster |
Armed Forces Reserve Medal |
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
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Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
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Vietnam Campaign Medal |
Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Young distinguished himself while serving as a helicopter rescue crew commander. Capt. Young was flying escort for another helicopter attempting the night rescue of an Army ground reconnaissance team in imminent danger of death or capture. Previous attempts had resulted in the loss of 2 helicopters to hostile ground fire. The endangered team was positioned on the side of a steep slope which required unusual airmanship on the part of Capt. Young to effect pickup. Heavy automatic weapons fire from the surrounding enemy severely damaged 1 rescue helicopter, but it was able to extract 3 of the team. The commander of this aircraft recommended to Capt. Young that further rescue attempts be abandoned because it was not possible to suppress the concentrated fire from enemy automatic weapons. With full knowledge of the danger involved, and the fact that supporting helicopter gunships were low on fuel and ordnance, Capt. Young hovered under intense fire until the remaining survivors were aboard. As he maneuvered the aircraft for takeoff, the enemy appeared at point-blank range and raked the aircraft with automatic weapons fire. The aircraft crashed, inverted, and burst into flames. Capt. Young escaped through a window of the burning aircraft. Disregarding serious burns, Capt. Young aided one of the wounded men and attempted to lead the hostile forces away from his position. Later, despite intense pain from his burns, he declined to accept rescue because he had observed hostile forces setting up automatic weapons positions to entrap any rescue aircraft. For more than 17 hours he evaded the enemy until rescue aircraft could be brought into the area. Through his extraordinary heroism, aggressiveness, and concern for his fellow man, Capt. Young reflected the highest credit upon himself, the U.S. Air Force, and the Armed Forces of his country.[3]
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War
- Young's Park on Guemes Island, Washington is named after him.
References
- Wichita Falls Record News, Wichita Falls, Texas, volume XLVIII, number 227, 15 May 1968, pages 1 and 2. (subscription required)
- ^ a b c d e "Veteran Tributes".
- ^ a b "Medal of Honor Recipients – Vietnam (M–Z)". Medal of Honor Citations. United States Army Center of Military History. December 3, 2010. Archived from the original on October 6, 2009. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
- ^ "Air Mobility Command Museum Medal of Honor Recipient Citation". Medal of Honor Citations. Air Mobility Command Museum. July 12, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
- ^ a b Swopes, Bryan (9 November 2022). "Medal of Honor, Captain Gerald Orren Young, United States Air Force". This Day in Aviation. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ "Burial Detail: Young, Gerald O. (Section 7A, Grave 87)". ANC Explorer. Arlington National Cemetery. (Official website).
External links
- www.billiongraves.com Headstone picture
- "Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. October 3, 2003. Archived from the original on October 6, 2009. Retrieved May 29, 2007.
- "Gerald Orren Young". at ArlingtonCemetery.net. 27 September 2023. (Unofficial website).