BRIEFING DOCUMENT: Russell Van Young - A Korean War Casualty

Subject: Analysis of the military service and fate of Russell Van Young during the Korean War.

Source: https://hotvetsmem.com/kwcas/hotkwrhrbios.html#RVY

Date: October 26, 2023

1. Introduction:

This briefing document provides a summary of information regarding Russell Van Young, a U.S. Army soldier who served and went missing in action during the early stages of the Korean War. The information is based on a single source text detailing his birth, family background, military service, and ultimate fate.

2. Key Biographical Information:

Full Name: Russell Van Young

Date of Birth: May 17, 1932

Place of Birth: Putnam, Callahan County, Texas

Parents: Delia Agnes Arvin (born 1902, died 1980) and William Craten Young (born 1896, died in Callahan County, Texas) Both parents were also born and died in Callahan County, Texas. At the time of his birth his mother was 30 and his father was 36 years old.

3. Early Life and Family:

1935: Lived in JP8, Callahan County, Texas.

1940: At the age of 7, lived with his aunt, Early Inez [Young] Hurst, and two male cousins in JP8, Callahan County, Texas. This indicates that he may have lived separately from his parents for at least some time during his early childhood. The reason for this is not given in the source material.

4. Military Service:

Enlistment/Induction: Enlisted or was inducted into the U.S. Army while residing in San Mateo County, California. This indicates a move from his home county, possibly due to seeking employment or military service.

Training: Trained as a Light Weapons Infantryman on Okinawa. This highlights the intense combat-focused role he would soon assume in the conflict.

Unit: Assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment.

Service Number: 19328641

5. Korean War Deployment and Loss:

Deployment: Deployed to Anui, in the northern region of South Korea on 27 July 1950.

Combat: His unit, the 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, was "attacked and pushed back repeatedly by the KPA 4th Division."

Missing in Action (MIA): Pvt. Young was reported as "Missing in Action during combat with hostile forces near Anui*, South Korea on 27 July 1950". The asterisk notes that the location of Anui was "nowadays near Galchongil, Hamyanggun, South Gyeongsang, South Korea." This specific location is important because it identifies the precise area where the combat and thus the MIA status occurred.

6. Official Status and Memorialization:

Official Death: Pvt. Young's body was not recovered, and he was officially declared dead on March 5, 1954. This indicates a long period of being missing before the official declaration of death, a common circumstance in war situations.

Memorials: He is remembered at:

The Courts of the Missing in the Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii.

The National Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

7. Key Themes and Insights:

Tragedy of War: The source highlights the tragic human cost of the Korean War, particularly in the early, chaotic stages of the conflict. Pvt. Young's service and subsequent loss exemplify this.

Mobility of American Lives: The text reveals how this particular person, born in rural Texas, moved to California before traveling overseas to fight in Korea.

Unrecovered Remains: The fact that his remains were not recovered underscores the challenges faced in identifying and honoring all casualties of war, particularly in the chaotic nature of conflicts like the Korean War.

Memorialization: The listing of memorials underscores the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by individuals like Pvt. Young, even when their remains are never recovered.

Specific Geographic Location: The level of detail in the text by providing the location of "Anui" and its current location is a key detail, potentially enabling researchers to understand the circumstances of the fighting that occurred there.

8. Conclusion:

Russell Van Young's story, though brief in this single source, paints a picture of a young man from rural Texas who became a casualty of the Korean War. He represents the sacrifices made by American service members and highlights the lasting impact of conflict on families and communities. The details provided in the document serve to honor and remember his service and ultimate sacrifice.