Medal of Honor, Marvin R. Young – Vietnam War – August 21, 1968

Marvin R. Young – Vietnam War – August 21, 1968

Rank and Organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army
Unit: Company C, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Conflict: Vietnam War
Location: Near Ben Cui, Republic of Vietnam
Born: May 11, 1947, Alpine, Texas
Entered Service At: Odessa, Texas

Summary of Action

On August 21, 1968, near the hamlet of Ben Cui, Company C found itself under sudden assault by a regimental-sized North Vietnamese Army force. When his platoon leader was killed and his men pinned down, Staff Sergeant Marvin Young stepped forward without hesitation, taking command in the face of overwhelming numbers.

As waves of enemy troops surged against their line, Young moved boldly among his soldiers, exposing himself again and again to enemy fire as he directed their defense. When ordered to withdraw, he refused to leave until every man had a chance to escape.

Spotting a trapped squad unable to pull back, Young charged toward them through a storm of bullets. Struck in the head, he pressed on, ordering the squad to withdraw while he shielded their movement. Hit again—this time in the arm and leg, his leg shattered—he still would not allow his men to carry him, knowing it would cost their lives. Instead, he stayed behind, firing with what strength remained until he was overrun.

Marvin Young was just 21 years old. His selfless stand saved countless comrades, his courage burning bright even as he was engulfed by the enemy.

Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Young distinguished himself at the cost of his life while serving as a squad leader with Company C. While conducting a reconnaissance mission in the vicinity of Ben Cui, Company C was suddenly engaged by an estimated regimental-size force of the North Vietnamese Army. During the initial volley of fire the point element of the 1st Platoon was pinned down, sustaining several casualties, and the acting platoon leader was killed. S/Sgt. Young unhesitatingly assumed command of the platoon and immediately began to organize and deploy his men into a defensive position in order to repel the attacking force. As a human wave attack advanced on S/Sgt. Young’s platoon, he moved from position to position, encouraging and directing fire on the hostile insurgents while exposing himself to the hail of enemy bullets. After receiving orders to withdraw to a better defensive position, he remained behind to provide covering fire for the withdrawal. Observing that a small element of the point squad was unable to extract itself from its position, and completely disregarding his personal safety, S/Sgt. Young began moving toward their position, firing as he maneuvered. When halfway to their position he sustained a critical head injury, yet he continued his mission and ordered the element to withdraw. Remaining with the squad as it fought its way to the rear, he was twice seriously wounded in the arm and leg. Although his leg was badly shattered, S/Sgt. Young refused assistance that would have slowed the retreat of his comrades, and he ordered them to continue their withdrawal while he provided protective covering fire. With indomitable courage and heroic self-sacrifice, he continued his self-assigned mission until the enemy force engulfed his position. By his gallantry at the cost of his life are in the highest traditions of the military service, S/Sgt. Young has reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.