Tracy W. Young
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army

In the fall of 1943, Tracy W. Young graduated from the Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA, with a commission as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry.

On 11 December 1944, then-Second Lieutenant Tracy W. Young was serving with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 306th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, U.S. Army in the Pacific Theater of Operations.

On that day, 2LT Young’s unit was in action against Japanese forces near Ormac, Leyte, Philippine Islands. During a spearhead attack by Company K, 2LT Young led his platoon into intensive enemy machine gun and rifle fire originating from a series of camouflaged Japanese foxholes entrenched in a bamboo thicket atop a steep ridge. Although 2LT Young sustained a mortal wound, his inspirational leadership caused his platoon to continue the assault and inflict heavy casualties upon the Japanese. 2LT Young’s selfless, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and Bronze Star
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Tracy W. Young (ASN: 0-527888), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 306th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 11 December 1944, at Leyte, Philippine Islands. Second Lieutenant Young's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 77th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, U.S. Forces-Pacific, General Orders No. 382 (1945)

Burial

Second Lieutenant Tracy W. Young is buried at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines, in Plot A, Row 16, Grave 76.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56792035/tracy-w-young