- SURNAME
Young
- FORENAME
Walter Xavier
- UNIT
1 Marine Parachute Bn (HQ Company)
- RANK
First Lieutenant
- NUMBER
0-007873
- DATE OF DEATH
7th August 1942
- AGE
23
- GRAVESITE
National Memorial Cemetery,Honolulu,Hawaii Plot A Grave 304
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Chicago,Illinois
born 22.10.1918 Chicago,Illinois
enlisted 06.01.1941
commissioned Second Lieutenant 29.05.1941
promoted First Lieutenant 06.06.1942
award Navy Cross (posthumously)
KIA Gavutu,Solomon Islands
He was communications officer of the Marine parachute battalion which took part in the attack upon Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 7 August 1942. During the extremely dangerous initial landings on Gavutu, Lt. Young singlehandedly assaulted a Japanese-held dugout commanding a portion of the dock on the island which was a key objective. While successfully penetrating and neutralizing the dugout, Young was wounded by rifle fire, and died later that day. For his heroic action, Lt. Young was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously.
DATE OF DEATH:
07-Aug-1942AWARD:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/young-walter-xavier.39521/CITATION:
Navy Cross : The Navy Cross is presented to Walter Xavier Young, First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism as Communications Officer, First Parachute Battalion, First Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Gavutu, Solomon Islands, August 7, 1942. During the extremely dangerous initial landings on Gavutu, First Lieutenant Young, on his own courageous initiative, fearlessly attacked several of the enemy in a single-handed attempt to neutralize a dugout which commanded a portion of the dock and constituted a grave menace to his comrades. Although fully aware of his imminent peril, he determinedly continued his voluntary action until, while effecting a daring entrance, he was fatally wounded by rifle or pistol fire from within the dugout. First Lieutenant Young's heroic spirit of self-sacrifice was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/8477FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66059305/walter-xavier-young
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