World War II Honoree

James M. Young

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Jefferson County, Indiana

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: CORPORAL. INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY DECEMBER 10, 1942 AT FORT BENJAMIN, HARRISON, INDIANA. HE WAS A PARATROOPER ASSIGNED TO GOLF COMPANY, 3RD BATTALION, 501ST PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST AIRBORNE ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ DIVISION. KILLED IN ACTION ON D-DAY, TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1944 IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS DURING THE BATTLE OF NORMANDY, THE INVASION OF GERMANY’S FORTRESS EUROPE, OPERATION OVERLORD. HE DIED ALONG WITH 16 OTHER PARATROOPERS AND ALL 4 AIRCREW MEN WHEN THE AIRCRAFT, A C-47 ‘SKYTRAIN’ TROOP CARRIER EXPLODED IN MIDAIR AFTER ENCOUNTERING HEAVY ARTILLERY FLAK WHILE APPROACHING THE DESIGNATED DROP ZONE IN THE PICAUVILLE AREA ON THE FRENCH COTENTIN PENINSULA. HE IS BURIED IN THE NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, FRANCE. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART.