Robert H. Young’s Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the
THE MEDAL OF HONOR (Posthumously)
to
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ROBERT HARLEY YOUNG
UNITED STATES ARMY
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company E, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Kaesong, Korea, on 9 October 1950. Private First Class Young’s 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, Private First Class 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, Private First Class 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 Private First Class 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. Private First Class Young’s dauntless courage and intrepidity reflect the highest credit upon himself and uphold the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army.
Born: March 4, 1929 in Oroville, Calif…. Home of record: Oroville, Calif…. Was wounded on Sept. 14, 1950 and returned to the front one week later, only to be wounded again in the above actions, from which he perished on Nov. 5, 1950… Medal presented to his father by Gen. Omar N. Bradley at the Pentagon on June 21, 1951… Interred: Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, Calif.