Private First Class Robert Harley Young, a soldier in the U.S. Army, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for gallantry on October 9, 1950 north of Kaesong, Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with Company E, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. Young was 21 years old.
The medal was presented on June 21, 1951. He later rose to the rank of Corporal.
Young was born on March 4, 1929 in Oroville, Butte County, California. His Medal of Honor is credited to Vallejo, Solano County, California. Young died on November 5, 1950 in Korea, at the age of 21. He is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California.
Young is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 142 credited to California.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Pfc. Young distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. His company, spearheading a battalion drive deep in enemy territory, suddenly came under a devastating barrage of enemy mortar and automatic-weapons crossfire which inflicted heavy casualties among his comrades and wounded him in the face and shoulder. Refusing to be evacuated, Pfc. Young remained in position and continued to fire at the enemy until wounded a second time. As he awaited first aid near the company command post, the enemy attempted an enveloping movement. Disregarding medical treatment he took an exposed position and firing with deadly accuracy killed five of the enemy. During this action he was again hit by hostile fire which knocked him to the ground and destroyed his helmet. Later when supporting tanks moved forward, Pfc. Young, his wounds still unattended, directed tank fire which destroyed three enemy gun positions and enabled the company to advance. Wounded again by an enemy mortar burst, and while aiding several of his injured comrades, he demanded that all others be evacuated first. Throughout the course of this action the leadership and combative instinct displayed by Pfc. Young exerted a profound influence on the conduct of the company. His aggressive example affected the whole course of the action and was responsible for its success. Pfc. Young's dauntless courage and intrepidity reflect the highest credit upon himself and uphold the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
During this action he was again hit by hostile fire which knocked him to the ground and destroyed his helmet.
- Awarded posthumously — died November 5, 1950.
- Age at death: 21
- Resting place: Golden Gate National Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Robert Harley Young received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Korean War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in California →
Timeline
- March 4, 1929Born in Oroville, Butte County, California
- October 9, 1950Act of valor — north of Kaesong, KoreaAge 21. Company E, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division
- November 5, 1950Died in KoreaAge 21.
- June 21, 1951Medal of Honor presented posthumously
- Resting placeGolden Gate National CemeterySan Bruno, California
Biography
Robert Harley Young (March 4, 1929 – November 5, 1950) was a soldier in the United States Army during the Korean War. He joined the Army from Vallejo, California in 1946. Young posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 9, 1950, during the UN offensive into North Korea, and was promoted to the rank of Corporal. Young is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California.
From the Wikipedia article “Robert H. Young”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
