World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Cassin Young was born in Washington, D.C. He enlisted in the Navy in 1912 and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1916. On December 7, 1941, he was Commanding Officer of the repair ship U.S.S Vestal which was badly damaged by enemy bombs and the explosion of the battleship U.S.S Arizona. Commander Young proceeded to the bridge and later took personal command of the 3-inch antiaircraft gun. When blown overboard by the blast of a magazine explosion from the U.S.S. Arizona, to which the U.S.S. Vestal was moored, he swam back to his ship. As a result of several bomb hits, the U.S.S. Vestal was afire and taking on a list. Despite severe enemy bombing and strafing at the time, Commander Young moved his ship to an anchorage distant from the U.S.S. Arizona, and subsequently beached the U.S.S. Vestal determining that such action was required to save his ship. Young was awarded the Medal of Honor and promoted to Captain in February 1942. He later was given command of the heavy cruiser U.S.S. San Francisco. On November 13, 1942, during the Naval Battle of Cape Esperance, Captain Young was killed by enemy shells while closely engaging a Japanese battleship. Captain Young posthumously was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the Guadalcanal Campaign.
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Cassin Young was born in Washington, D.C. He enlisted in the Navy in 1912 and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1916. On December 7, 1941, he was Commanding Officer of the repair ship U.S.S Vestal which was badly damaged by enemy bombs and the explosion of the battleship U.S.S Arizona. Commander Young proceeded to the bridge and later took personal command of the 3-inch antiaircraft gun. When blown overboard by the blast of a magazine explosion from the U.S.S. Arizona, to which the U.S.S. Vestal was moored, he swam back to his ship. As a result of several bomb hits, the U.S.S. Vestal was afire and taking on a list. Despite severe enemy bombing and strafing at the time, Commander Young moved his ship to an anchorage distant from the U.S.S. Arizona, and subsequently beached the U.S.S. Vestal determining that such action was required to save his ship. Young was awarded the Medal of Honor and promoted to Captain in February 1942. He later was given command of the heavy cruiser U.S.S. San Francisco. On November 13, 1942, during the Naval Battle of Cape Esperance, Captain Young was killed by enemy shells while closely engaging a Japanese battleship. Captain Young posthumously was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the Guadalcanal Campaign.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
CAPT, US NAVY WORLD WAR II
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from California.
Family Members
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