June 1, 1918 (Norwalk, CT) – December 15, 1979; 61 years old
Married to Marie Erickson (1921-2004) on January 26, 1946 in Norwalk
One daughter, Ellen M. Young Therrien (1947-).
Local address when entering service: 22 Lawrence Street
Enlisted on June 17, 1940
Service number: 6150710
Unit: 1st Infantry Division, 32nd Field Artillery Battalion, Battery A
Born to Albert (1892-1960) and Julia Anderson Young (1888-1974). Two sisters, Evelyn “Evie” C. Young Deysenroth (1911-1983) and Helen M. Young Marranci (1916-1999).
Wounded in action on August 4, 1944 in Brittany, France. Corporal Robert M. Young, 6150710, Battery A, 32nd Field Artillery Battalion. For heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy in Normandy, France, 6 June 1944. Awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
Also awarded the Legion of Merit Medal. The Legion of Merit Medal is granted to individuals who demonstrate an exceptional level of meritorious conduct. The Legion of Merit is typically presented only to senior command or staff, with occasional exceptions. Corporal Young was a low-ranking enlisted soldier. He must have been exceptional.
Portrait contributed by Ellen Therrien, daughter of Robert Young
From The Norwalk Hour June 18, 1943
Corporal Robert M Young, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert S. Young of 22 Lawrence Street, saw much action in the North African campaign according to a letter received from him by his parents. He was also commended last Christmas Day by Lieutenant E. Morgan for his accurate observation in action. The citation reads”
“Co. A., Headquarters. “Corp Young has reported his observations to his HQ. His observations are accurately detailed. He has shown initiative in negotiating enemy tanks conditioned to the commanding officer of our tank unit.”
“Lieut. Morgan.”
Corp. Young enlisted in the Army on June 17, 1940. He has been overseas for 11 months, and prior to going to North Africa, he was in England and Scotland. His letter to his mother, in part, follows:
North Africa,
May 28, 1943.
“Dear Ma:
“Well, I have received ten letters from you this week, and I have a little time today, so I decided to write to you and tell you the news. Well, I am now in a rest camp, and I am glad that the War in North Africa is over. I am sending you a list of the different places in which I saw action: “Medze, El-Bob, Gaboa, Beja, Tebourba, Mateur, El Gueter, Soub-Abras, Arsew, St. Cloud, Iran, Hill 600, Hill 350, and “Long Stop.” So I guess you can see that I saw a lot of action. We have been dive-bombed and machine-gunned and saw plenty of action from the German 88 gun and also their stapere. We also saw action on Christmas Day, and that’s one Christmas I will never forget. I am sending you a little emblem, which I took off a German uniform, and I want you to keep it for me, and also a piece of paper, which I received from Battalion H.Q.GE
With Love, BOB.
From The Norwalk Hour December 1, 1979
NORWALK — Robert Melville Young, 61, of 22 Woodbury Ave., husband of Marie Erickson Young, died Saturday in the Veterans Administration Hospital, West Haven. Born in Norwalk, he was the son of the late Albert and Julia Anderson Young and had been a lifelong local resident. Mr. Young was formerly employed as a guard for the Nash Engineering Company. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Mrs. William (Ellen) Therrien of Norwalk; two sisters, Mrs. Frederick (Evie) Deysenroth of North Bennington, Vt., and Mrs. Dario (Helen) Masranci of West Paim Beach, Fia., three grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Private services will be held Tuesday in the Raymond Funeral Home, 5 East Wall St., with the Rev. Charles Cole, associate pastor of the Norwalk United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in the veterans section of Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien, with full military honors. There are no calling hours. The family requests contributions be made to the American Cancer Society.
From The Norwalk Hour December 15, 1982, In Memoriam section
In loving memory of Robert M. Young, who passed away 3 years ago today.
It broke our hearts to see you go,
But you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.
Deep in our hearts your memory is kept
To love and to cherish and Never Forget.
Sadly missed by Wife, Marie, Daughter, son-in-law and Grandchildren
Buried in Spring Grove Cemetery, 41 Hecker Avenue, Darien, Connecticut, in the Veterans Section. Photo from FindAGrave.com.
END
Honor Norwalk CT veterans 