World War II Honoree

Lester A. Young

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Trenton, New Jersey

Honored By

John Peterson

HE ENTERED THE NATIONAL GUARD AS A 1ST SERGEANT. HE WAS STATIONED IN FORT HUACHUCA, ARIZONA. WHILE THERE, THE 9TH AND 10TH CAVALRY UNITS WERE CHANGED TO THE 24TH AND 25TH REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM (RCT). HE WAS 1ST SERGEANT OF I COMPANY OF THE 24TH INFANTRY REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM 'THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS'. HE WAS IN THE SCHOFIELD BARRACKS WHEN PEARL HARBOR WAS ATTACKED BY THE JAPANESE AIRPLANES. AFTER THE ATTACK, THE 24TH CAVALRY UNIT BEGAN TO GO FROM THERE TO ENIWETOK TO THE MARSHALL ISLANDS, THEN TO THE CAROLINE ISLANDS TO THE MARIANA ISLANDS TO OKINAWA, THAT WAS THE LAST ISLAND FOR THAT OUTFIT AND THE JAPANESE SURRENDERED.