Robert Nicholas Young

{{Infobox military person

| name = Robert Nicholas Young

| image = Robert N. Young 5.JPG

| image_size = 250

| alt =

| caption = Young as commander of the United States Infantry School

| nickname =

| birth_date = {{birth date|1900|01|14|df=y}}

| birth_place = Washington, D.C.

| death_date = {{death date and age|1964|10|19|1900|01|14|df=y}}

| death_place = Asheville, North Carolina

| placeofburial = Arlington National Cemetery

| allegiance = United States

| branch = United States Army

| serviceyears = 1923–1957

| rank = Lieutenant General

| servicenumber =

| unit =

| commands = Sixth United States Army
United States Army Infantry School
2nd Infantry Division
Combined Arms Center
Military District of Washington
3rd Infantry Division

| battles = World War II
Korean War

| awards = {{nowrap|Army Distinguished Service Medal (3)}}
Silver Star
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal (2)
Purple Heart

| relations =

| laterwork =

}}

Robert Nicholas Young (14 January 1900 – 19 October 1964) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army. He gained prominence in the 1950s as the commander of the 2nd Infantry Division during the Korean War and as commander of the Sixth United States Army.

Early life

Young was born on 14 January 1900, in Washington, D.C. He graduated from the University of Maryland in 1922 and received his commission as a second lieutenant of infantry through the Reserve Officer Training Corps.World War I Draft Registration Card, Robert Nicholas YoungNorth Carolina Death Certificates, 1909–1975[https://archive.org/stream/officialarmyregi19541unit#page/830/mode/2up Official U.S. Army Register], published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1954, page 830Home of the Infantry: the History of Fort Benning, by Peggy A. Stelpflug and Richard Hyatt, 2007, page 204[http://odk.umd.edu/html/members.html List of prominent members, Omicron Delta Kappa honor society, University of Maryland][https://archive.org/stream/officialarmyregi19561unit#page/936/mode/2up Official U.S. Army Register], published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1956, page 936

Early military career

File:Robert N. Young 3.JPG

After receiving his commission, Young served in positions of increasing rank and responsibility throughout the United States, including Fort Eustis, Virginia, Camp Meade, Maryland, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, he served as assistant professor of military science in the R.O.T.C. program at the University of Maryland.[https://archive.org/stream/reveille1929mary#page/106/mode/2up Reveille, The University of Maryland Yearbook, 1929, page 106][http://robertmwagner.com/yearbook%20Gen%20Young.htm Biography of Robert N. Young, Annual Yearbook], published by U.S. Infantry Center and School, 1953

In 1933, Young graduated from the Infantry School Officer Course, and completed the Signal School Commanding Officer Course in 1934.[https://archive.org/stream/officialarmyregi19541unit#page/830/mode/2up Official U.S. Army Register], published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1954, page 830[https://archive.org/stream/officialarmyregi19561unit#page/936/mode/2up Official U.S. Army Register], published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1956, page 936

In the mid-1930s, Young served as an instructor at the Fort Benning, Georgia, Infantry School.[http://robertmwagner.com/yearbook%20Gen%20Young.htm Biography of Robert N. Young, Annual Yearbook], published by U.S. Infantry Center and School, 1953 He was a 1938 graduate of the Command and General Staff College.[https://archive.org/stream/officialarmyregi19541unit#page/830/mode/2up Official U.S. Army Register], published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1954, page 830

World War II

File:Robert N. Young.jpg

From 1941 to 1942, Young served as assistant secretary to the General Staff at the War Department, afterwards advancing to become secretary to the General Staff, where he served until 1943.The Papers of George Catlett Marshall, by George Catlett Marshall, edited by Larry I. Bland and Sharon Ritenour Stevens, 2003, page 178The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower: Occupation, 1945; The Chief of Staff, by Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1978, Page 37

Young was assigned as assistant division commander of the 70th Infantry Division from 1943 to 1944 during its combat service in Europe. From 1944 to 1945, he continued to serve in Europe as assistant division commander and acting division commander of the 3rd Infantry Division.[http://www.trailblazersww2.org/pdf/70thnarrativetoJan3145.pdf After Action Report, 70th Infantry Division from Date of Activation to 31 January 1945], published by the U.S. War Department, 1946, page 8History of the Third Infantry Division in World War II, Donald Gilbert Taggart, 1947, Page 290George C. Marshall: Organizer of Victory, 1943–1945, Forest C. Pogue, 1973, Page 62[https://web.archive.org/web/20080109033532/http://www.history.army.mil/documents/eto-ob/3ID-eto.htm 3rd Infantry Division World War II Order of Battle], United States Army Center of Military History Young's daughter died in April 1945 while he was serving with the 3rd Division in France.Letter, George C. Marshall to Mrs. Robert N. Young, April 11, 1945, George C. Marshall Papers, Box 91, Folder 3, George C. Marshall Research Library, Lexington, Virginia.

Post-World War II

File:Robert N. Young 2.jpg

Young's service continued after World War II. In 1945, he succeeded Charles F. Thompson as commander of the Military District of Washington, and he remained in this position until 1946.[https://sill-www.army.mil/FAMAG/1946/JUN_1946/JUN_1946_PAGES_339_343.pdf Magazine article, Reorganization of the War Department and of the Army] Field Artillery Journal, page 342, June 1946 Young commanded the Army's Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas from 1946 to 1948.[http://robertmwagner.com/yearbook%20Gen%20Young.htm Biography of Robert N. Young, Annual Yearbook], published by U.S. Infantry Center and School, 1953 From 1948 to 1950 Young, served in Hawaii as Chief of Staff for U.S. Army, Pacific.[http://robertmwagner.com/yearbook%20Gen%20Young.htm Biography of Robert N. Young, Annual Yearbook], published by U.S. Infantry Center and School, 1953 From 1950 to 1951, Young was assistant division commander of the 82nd Airborne Division.The second United States Infantry Division in Korea, 1950–51, published by the 2nd Infantry Division, 1954, Volume 1, page 172Home of the Infantry: the History of Fort Benning, by Peggy A. Stelpflug and Richard Hyatt, 2007, page 204

Korean War

From 1951 to 1952, Young commanded the 2nd Infantry Division. He led the division during the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge.The Hill Wars of the Korean Conflict, Paul M. Edwards, 2006, page 119[http://www.history.army.mil/html/matrix/2id/2id-cdrs.html 2nd Infantry Division Commanders page]{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, United States Army Center of Military History

Post-Korean War

Young was commander of the United States Army Infantry School from 1952 to 1953.The National Guardsman, Volume 7, 1953, page 12Home of the Infantry: the History of Fort Benning, by Peggy A. Stelpflug and Richard Hyatt, 2007, page 204 In 1953, Young was named the Army’s Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel, G-1, where he served until 1955.[https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0A1FFD355E177B93C3A9178AD85F478585F9 Newspaper article, Five Army Generals Assigned New Posts; Infantry School Chief to Head Personnel], New York Times, January 1, 1953 Young was appointed commander of the Sixth United States Army in 1955, and served in this post until his 1957 retirement.[https://www.nytimes.com/1955/06/15/archives/e-j-sparks-confirmed-senate-backs-his-appointment-as-envoy-to.html Newspaper article, E.J. Sparks Confirmed; Senate Backs His Appointment as Envoy to Guatemala], New York Times, June 15, 1955U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps Bulletin, 1957, Volumes 11–13, Page 100Official Congressional Directory, published by U.S. Government Printing Office, 1957, page 435[https://www.nytimes.com/1957/04/23/archives/new-6th-army-chief-mathewson-to-succeed-young-in-west-coast-command.html Newspaper article, New 6th Army Chief; Mathewson to Succeed Young in West Coast Command], New York Times, April 23, 1957

Awards and decorations

Young's awards included three Army Distinguished Service Medals, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, two awards of the Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart.[https://archive.org/stream/officialarmyregi19561unit#page/936/mode/2up Official U.S. Army Register], published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1956, page 936[http://robertmwagner.com/yearbook%20Gen%20Young.htm Biography of Robert N. Young, Annual Yearbook], published by U.S. Infantry Center and School, 1953

Retirement and death

In retirement, General Young resided in Asheville, North Carolina. He died there on 19 October 1964, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 6, Site 5685 RH.Social Security Death IndexNorth Carolina Death Certificates, 1909–1975[https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/20/archives/gen-robert-young-of-6th-army-dies-35year-military-career-began-in.html Newspaper article, Gen. Robert Young of 6th Army Dies; 35-Year Military Career Began in Reserve Unit], New York Times, October 20, 1964[http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1 Online Nationwide Gravesite Locator] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517121033/http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1 |date=2019-05-17 }}, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs