Staff Sergeant Marvin R. Young

Marvin R. Young, Medal of Honor recipient, was born in Alpine, Texas, on May 11, 1947, the son of Roy Clinton and Marilyn (Hoskins) Young. After graduating from Permian Basin High School in 1965 he attended Odessa Junior College and the College of Marin in Kentfield, California. He enlisted in the United States Army at Odessa in September 1966 and was sent to Vietnam the following year. In Vietnam Staff Sergeant Young was wounded twice, in December 1967 and in February the following year. On August 21, 1968, he was leading a squad of Company C, First Battalion (mechanized), Fifth Infantry, Twenty-fifth Infantry Division, on reconnaissance patrol near Ben Cui. The squad was attacked by a large force of the North Vietnamese Army and were pinned down; the platoon leader was killed. Young unhesitatingly assumed command, moving from position to position, encouraging his men, and directing fire on the hostile insurgents. He constantly exposed himself to enemy fire. After receiving orders to withdraw, he remained behind in order to provide covering fire. He was proceeding to assist part of the squad that was unable to withdraw, when he received a critical head injury. Nonetheless, he continued his mission and was wounded twice more, including a badly shattered leg. He refused assistance, remaining behind to cover the withdrawal. Young was killed by the advancing Vietnamese. He is buried in Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Odessa, Texas.

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The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Marvin Rex Young (ASN: 18765849), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty at the cost of his life while serving as a squad leader with Company C, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Vietnam, on 21 August 1968. 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. Staff Sergeant 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 Staff Sergeant 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, Staff Sergeant 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, Staff Sergeant 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, Staff Sergeant Young has reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 27 (April 23, 1970)

Action Date: 21-Aug-68

Service: Army

Rank: Staff Sergeant

Company: Company C

Battalion: 1st Battalion (Mechanized)

Regiment: 5th Infantry Regiment

Division: 25th Infantry Division