Medal of Honor Citation

for

 

Robert Harley Young

Private, U. S. Army

 

Born: Mar 04, 1929 at Oroville, CA

Entered Service: Vallejo, CA

Date/Place of Action: Oct 09, 1950 Kaesong, Korea

Unit:  company E, 8th Cavalry Division

Presentation: Presented to his father at the Pentagon

by General Omar N. Bradley on Jun 21, 1951

Date of Death: Nov 05, 1950 – (Killed In Action)

Buried at: Golden Gate National Cemetery – San Bruno, CA

 

YOUNG, ROBERT H.

 

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company E, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division

Place and Date: North of Kaesong, Korea, 9 October 1950

Entered service at: Vallejo, Calif. Born: 4 March 1929, Oroville, Calif. G.O. No.:65, 2 August 1951.

 

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 5 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 ranks moved forward, Pfc. Young, his wounds still unattended, directed tank fire, which destroyed 3 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 the 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.