Briefing Document: Robert Frank Young

Date: October 26, 2023

Subject: Life and Military Service of Robert Frank Young

Sources: Excerpts from pasted text.

I. Summary:

This document provides a biographical overview of Robert Frank Young, born in 1924 in Texas, focusing on his family history, his early life in Clyde, Texas, his military service in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, and his tragic death in a plane crash in 1945.

II. Key Themes & Facts:

Early Life and Family:

Robert Frank Young was born on March 15, 1924, in Clyde, Callahan County, Texas, to Sarah Alice Tate (b.1897, Kentucky) and Ross Berryman Young (b.1898).

His mother was 27 and his father was 26 when he was born.

He had siblings, with the text noting his presence in the family in the 1930 and 1940 censuses.

The family resided in Clyde, Callahan County, Texas, throughout his early life.

He had at least three siblings in 1930 and two siblings in 1940.

Education & Employment:

He completed four years of high school.

Prior to enlisting, he worked as a clerk at the Ben E. Keith Company in Abilene, Texas.

Military Service:

He registered for the draft in Callahan County, Texas on June 30, 1942, listing his father as next of kin.

He enlisted from civilian life into the U.S. Army Air Corps at Lubbock, Texas on October 23, 1942.

His Army Serial Number was 18182311.

He was a single white male born in Texas.

He achieved the rank of Sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Forces.

He was part of the 89th Bombardment Squadron, 3rd Bombardment Group (Light).

He was assigned to Ground Forces on Okinawa Air Field in Okinawa.

The 3rd BG moved to Okinawa from the Philippines in August 1945 and was in the process of moving to Japan in September 1945.

Tragic Death:

On September 17, 1945, while on a cargo flight from Motobu Strip, Okinawa, to Yokohama, Japan, the Douglas C-47B-20-DK (DC-3) transport plane he was aboard crashed on a mountain approximately 60 miles southwest of Yokohama.

The plane's serial number was 43-49914.

The crash was on a cargo flight.

Five individuals were killed in the crash, including Sgt. Young.

His death was classified as "Non-Battle".

Repatriation and Re-burial:

Sgt. Young’s remains were initially buried in Japan.

In 1949, his remains were repatriated to America.

He was reinterred in the Clyde Cemetery at Clyde, Texas on January 30, 1949.

III. Key Quotes:

"Robert F. Young asn-18182311 a single white male born Texas in 1924 residing in Callahan County, Texas and working as a clerk at Ben E. Keith Company in Abilene, Texas with four years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Air Corps at Lubbock, Texas on 23 October 1942."

"Sgt Young was aboard a Douglas C-47B-20-DK (DC-3) s/n 43-49914 transport plane on 17 September 1945 on a flight from Motobu Strip, Okinawa to Yokahama, Japan when the plane crashed on a mountain 60 miles SW Yokohama, Japan on a cargo flight, five were killed, status Non-Battle."

IV. Analysis:

Robert Frank Young's life story reflects the experiences of many young Americans during World War II. He transitioned from a civilian life in rural Texas to military service, ultimately making the ultimate sacrifice during a non-combat mission in the closing months of the war. The fact that his remains were later brought back home for reinterment highlights the strong familial and community ties that were important during that era. He was an airman in a relatively small unit, the 89th Bombardment Squadron, which was still being actively moved and utilized in the Pacific Theater even after Japan's surrender.

V. Conclusion:

This document provides a concise biographical sketch of Robert Frank Young, a young Texan whose life was tragically cut short while serving his country during World War II. His story is a microcosm of the broader sacrifices made during the conflict, and serves as a tribute to his service.