World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Marion Peter 'Spud' Young
Branch of Service
U.S. Marine Corps
Hometown
Des Moines, Iowa
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
Rank: Private 1st Class. On December 14, 1942, he entered the United States Marine Corps from Iowa, receiving his combat infantry training and sea schooling at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California. Served with a Marine Corps detachment aboard the Light Cruiser, USS Nashville CL-43 assigned to an Artillery Anti-aircraft Gun battery in the Pacific Theater of Operations. Killed in Action Wednesday, December 13, 1944 when a Japanese Kamikaze flew into the Cruiser, crashing into his Gun Battery. The attack occurred near the Island of Negros in the Philippine Islands, initially buried in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery, Leyte #1 Philippine Islands. He had participated in previous Combat Operations: Battle of Bougainville, New Britain, Admiralty Islands, Hollandia, Aitape-Wewak, Biak, New Guinea, Moratai and Leyte. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, his remains were returned to his family for burial, with interment at the Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa. This Marine, an American Patriot, awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, who so gallantly gave his life in defense of his country.