Young was born in Washington, D.C., on March 6, 1894. At the age of two he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where his father operated a drug store.[1] After graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy on June 3, 1916, he served on the battleshipUSS Connecticut(BB-18) into 1919. He attended submarine school in 1919 and then spent several years in subs. During that period, he served on the USS R-22(SS-99) and USS R-3(SS-80). In 1921, he and his family returned from Panama and he assisted in outfitting the USS S-51. In January 1922, he served in Naval Communications on the staff of Commander Submarine Divisions, Battle Fleet, and at the Naval Academy.
When the Japaneseattacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, he was commanding officer of the repair ship USS Vestal(AR-4), which was badly damaged by Japanese bombs and the explosion of the battleship USS Arizona(BB-39). Commander Young rapidly organized offensive action, personally taking charge of one of Vestal's anti-aircraft guns. When Arizona's forward magazine exploded, the blast blew Young overboard. Although stunned, he was determined to save his ship by getting her away from the blazing Arizona. Swimming through burning oil back to Vestal, which was already damaged and about to be further damaged, Young got her underway and beached her, thus ensuring her later salvage. His heroism was recognized with the Medal of Honor.
Promoted to Captain in February 1942, he took command of the heavy cruiserUSS San Francisco(CA-38) on November 9, 1942.[2] On November 13, 1942, during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, he guided his ship in action with a superior Japanese force and was killed by enemy shells while closely engaging the battleship Hiei. Captain Young was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the campaign and San Francisco received the Presidential Unit Citation.
For distinguished conduct in action, outstanding heroism and utter disregard of his own safety, above and beyond the call of duty, as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Vestal, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, by enemy Japanese forces on December 7, 1941. Commander Young proceeded to the bridge and later took personal command of the 3-inch antiaircraft gun. When blown overboard by the blast of the forward magazine explosion of the U.S.S. Arizona, to which the U.S.S. Vestal was moored, he swam back to his ship. The entire forward part of the U.S.S. Arizona was a blazing inferno with oil afire on the water between the two ships; as a result of several bomb hits, the U.S.S. Vestal was afire in several places, was settling and taking on a list. Despite severe enemy bombing and strafing at the time, and his shocking experience of having been blown overboard, Commander Young, with extreme coolness and calmness, moved his ship to an anchorage distant from the U.S.S. Arizona, and subsequently beached the U.S.S. Vestal upon determining that such action was required to save his ship.
PRESENTATION DATE & DETAILS: APRIL 18, 1942 PEARL HARBOR, TERRITORY OF HAWAII, ONBOARD THE U.S.S. VESTAL, PRESENTED BY ADM. CHESTER W. NIMITZ[4]
Captain Young's Medal of Honor is on display at the Naval Academy Museum in Annapolis MD.
Navy Cross citationEdit
Navy Cross citation:
For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. San Francisco, during an engagement with Japanese naval forces near Savo Island on the night of 12 - 13 November, 1942. On this occasion the force to which Captain Young was attached engaged at close quarters and defeated a superior enemy force, inflicting heavy damage upon them and preventing the accomplishment of their intended mission. This daring and intrepid attack, brilliantly executed, led to a great victory for his country's forces. By his indomitable fighting spirit, expert seamanship, and gallant devotion to duty, Captain Young contributed largely to the success of the battle and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.[5]
^"Cassin Young | World War II | U.S. Navy | Medal of Honor Recipient".
^"Valor awards for Cassin Young". Military Times. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
"www.history.navy.mil/photos: Biography of Cassin Young". Retrieved March 21, 2015.
"www.history.navy.mil/danfs: Biography of Cassin Young". Retrieved March 21, 2015.[permanent dead link]
Further readingEdit
"World War II Milwaukee," Meg Jones. The History Press, 2015
October 24, 2023
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This article is about the Navy Captain For the ship see USS Cassin Young Cassin Young March 6 1894 November 13 1942 was a captain in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the attack on Pearl Harbor Cassin YoungCaptain Cassin Young USNBorn 1894 03 06 March 6 1894Washington D C DiedNovember 13 1942 1942 11 13 aged 48 off Guadalcanal Solomon IslandsAllegianceUnited States of AmericaService wbr branch United States NavyYears of service1916 1942RankCaptainCommands heldUSS EvansSubmarine Division SevenUSS VestalUSS San FranciscoBattles warsWorld War IWorld War II Attack on Pearl Harbor Naval Battle of Guadalcanal AwardsMedal of Honor Navy Cross Purple Heart Contents 1 Biography 2 Military decorations 2 1 Medal of Honor citation 2 2 Navy Cross citation 3 Namesake 4 See also 5 References 6 Further readingBiography EditYoung was born in Washington D C on March 6 1894 At the age of two he moved to Milwaukee Wisconsin where his father operated a drug store 1 After graduation from the U S Naval Academy on June 3 1916 he served on the battleship USS Connecticut BB 18 into 1919 He attended submarine school in 1919 and then spent several years in subs During that period he served on the USS R 22 SS 99 and USS R 3 SS 80 In 1921 he and his family returned from Panama and he assisted in outfitting the USS S 51 In January 1922 he served in Naval Communications on the staff of Commander Submarine Divisions Battle Fleet and at the Naval Academy During 1931 to 1933 Lieutenant Commander Young served on the battleship USS New York BB 34 He was subsequently awarded command of the destroyer USS Evans DD 78 and was assigned to the Eleventh Naval District from 1935 to 1937 After promotion to the rank of Commander he commanded Submarine Division Seven and was stationed at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton Connecticut When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7 1941 he was commanding officer of the repair ship USS Vestal AR 4 which was badly damaged by Japanese bombs and the explosion of the battleship USS Arizona BB 39 Commander Young rapidly organized offensive action personally taking charge of one of Vestal s anti aircraft guns When Arizona s forward magazine exploded the blast blew Young overboard Although stunned he was determined to save his ship by getting her away from the blazing Arizona Swimming through burning oil back to Vestal which was already damaged and about to be further damaged Young got her underway and beached her thus ensuring her later salvage His heroism was recognized with the Medal of Honor Promoted to Captain in February 1942 he took command of the heavy cruiser USS San Francisco CA 38 on November 9 1942 2 On November 13 1942 during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal he guided his ship in action with a superior Japanese force and was killed by enemy shells while closely engaging the battleship Hiei Captain Young was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the campaign and San Francisco received the Presidential Unit Citation Military decorations EditYoung s decorations and awards include 3 nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp Medal of Honor Navy Cross Purple HeartNavy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation World War I Victory Medal American Defense Service Medalw Fleet Clasp 3 16 Bronze Star American Campaign Medal Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medalw two 3 16 Bronze Stars World War II Victory MedalMedal of Honor citation Edit Medal of Honor citation For distinguished conduct in action outstanding heroism and utter disregard of his own safety above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the U S S Vestal during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor Territory of Hawaii by enemy Japanese forces on December 7 1941 Commander Young proceeded to the bridge and later took personal command of the 3 inch antiaircraft gun When blown overboard by the blast of the forward magazine explosion of the U S S Arizona to which the U S S Vestal was moored he swam back to his ship The entire forward part of the U S S Arizona was a blazing inferno with oil afire on the water between the two ships as a result of several bomb hits the U S S Vestal was afire in several places was settling and taking on a list Despite severe enemy bombing and strafing at the time and his shocking experience of having been blown overboard Commander Young with extreme coolness and calmness moved his ship to an anchorage distant from the U S S Arizona and subsequently beached the U S S Vestal upon determining that such action was required to save his ship PRESENTATION DATE amp DETAILS APRIL 18 1942 PEARL HARBOR TERRITORY OF HAWAII ONBOARD THE U S S VESTAL PRESENTED BY ADM CHESTER W NIMITZ 4 Captain Young s Medal of Honor is on display at the Naval Academy Museum in Annapolis MD Navy Cross citation Edit Navy Cross citation For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Heavy Cruiser U S S San Francisco during an engagement with Japanese naval forces near Savo Island on the night of 12 13 November 1942 On this occasion the force to which Captain Young was attached engaged at close quarters and defeated a superior enemy force inflicting heavy damage upon them and preventing the accomplishment of their intended mission This daring and intrepid attack brilliantly executed led to a great victory for his country s forces By his indomitable fighting spirit expert seamanship and gallant devotion to duty Captain Young contributed largely to the success of the battle and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service He gallantly gave his life for his country 5 Namesake EditIn 1943 the destroyer USS Cassin Young DD 793 was named in his honor This famous destroyer has been restored and is now berthed at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston Harbor across from the USS Constitution See also Edit nbsp Biography portal nbsp World War II portalList of Medal of Honor recipientsReferences Edit Jones Meg Milwaukee captains crossed paths at Pearl Harbor Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Retrieved Feb 16 2020 Photo Archive for USS San Francisco CA 38 Navsource Retrieved 24 May 2018 Pacific Front Retrieved Feb 16 2020 Cassin Young World War II U S Navy Medal of Honor Recipient Valor awards for Cassin Young Military Times Retrieved 2023 03 17 www history navy mil photos Biography of Cassin Young Retrieved March 21 2015 www history navy mil danfs Biography of Cassin Young Retrieved March 21 2015 permanent dead link Further reading Edit World War II Milwaukee Meg Jones The History Press 2015 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Cassin Young amp oldid 1181156359, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
