Medal of Honor: Robert H. Young, Korean War, October 9, 1950

Name: Robert H. Young
Rank: Private First Class
War: Korean War
Date of Action: October 9, 1950
Unit: Company E, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division
Entered Service At: Vallejo, California
Born: March 4, 1929, Oroville, California

Summary of Action
The ridgelines north of Kaesong burned under constant fire that autumn day in 1950. Company E, 8th Cavalry Regiment, was pushing deep into enemy territory when the air suddenly erupted with mortar bursts and machine-gun crossfire. Men fell by the dozens. Amid the chaos, PFC Robert Young, already hit in the face and shoulder, refused to withdraw. He crawled back into the line, leveled his rifle, and fought on—his blood mingling with the dust of the battlefield.
When another round tore into him, he still would not yield. As medics reached him near the company command post, enemy troops began an enveloping movement to crush the position. Young, ignoring his wounds and medical pleas, dragged himself to an exposed firing point and cut down five attackers with deadly precision. An enemy bullet ripped through his helmet, but he rose again, dauntless and defiant.
When American tanks rumbled forward to relieve the pressure, Young—his wounds still untreated—directed their fire with calm precision, knocking out three enemy positions and opening the way for Company E’s advance. A mortar blast struck again, wounding him a fourth time, yet he refused aid until every one of his wounded comrades had been evacuated.
By the time he was finally carried from the field, his body was broken but his spirit unbowed. The men of Company E had followed his example and turned what could have been disaster into victory.

Medal of Honor Citation
YOUNG, ROBERT H.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company E, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. Place and date: North of Kaesong, Korea, 9 October 1950. Entered service at: Vallejo, Calif. Born: 4 March 1929, Oroville, Calif. G.O. No.: 65, 2 August 1951. Citation: Pfc. Young distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. His company, spearheading a battalion drive deep in enemy territory, suddenly came under a devastating barrage of enemy mortar and automatic weapons crossfire which inflicted heavy casualties among his comrades and wounded him in the face and shoulder. Refusing to be evacuated, Pfc. Young remained in position and continued to fire at the enemy until wounded a second time. As he awaited first aid near the company command post the enemy attempted an enveloping movement. Disregarding medical treatment he took an exposed position and firing with deadly accuracy killed 5 of the enemy. During this action he was again hit by hostile fire which knocked him to the ground and destroyed his helmet. Later when supporting tanks moved forward, Pfc. Young, his wounds still unattended, directed tank fire which destroyed 3 enemy gun positions and enabled the company to advance. Wounded again by an enemy mortar burst, and while aiding several of his injured comrades, he demanded that all others be evacuated first. Throughout the course of this action the leadership and combative instinct displayed by Pfc. Young exerted a profound influence on the conduct of the company. His aggressive example affected the whole course of the action and was responsible for its success. Pfc. Young’s dauntless courage and intrepidity reflect the highest credit upon himself and uphold the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army.