- Walter X. Young
Infobox Military Person
name= Walter Xavier Young
born= birth date|1918|10|22
died= death date and age|1942|8|7|1918|10|22
placeofbirth=Chicago, Illinois
placeofdeath= KIA onGuadalcanal
placeofburial=
caption=
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch=United States Marine Corps
serviceyears= 1941-1942
rank= First Lieutenant
commands=
unit= 1st Marine Parachute Battalion
battles=World War II Battle of Guadalcanal
awards=Navy Cross Purple Heart
laterwork=Walter Xavier Young (
22 October 1918 –7 August 1942 ) was an officer of theUnited States Marine Corps duringWorld War II .Young was born in
Chicago, Illinois , on22 October 1918 . He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on6 January 1941 , and following training at the Marine Barracks, Quantico,Virginia , was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on29 May 1941 . After commissioning, Lt. Young received training at the Signal Corps School,Fort Monmouth ,New Jersey , and was then assigned to the Marine Barracks, New River,North Carolina , into 1942.Promoted to First Lieutenant on
6 June 1942 , he was communications officer of the Marine parachute battalion which took part in the attack upon Guadalcanal,Solomon Islands , on7 August 1942 . During the extremely dangerous initial landings onGavutu , Lt. Young singlehandedly assaulted a Japanese-held dugout commanding a portion of the dock on theisland which was a key objective. While successfully penetrating and neutralizing the dugout, Young was wounded byrifle fire, and died later that day. For his heroic action, Lt. Young was awarded theNavy Cross posthumously.Namesake
In 1944, the transport, USS "Walter X. Young" (APD-131) was named in his honor.
ee also
References
:DANFS
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