USS Cassin Young

Born 6 March 1894 in Washington, D.C., Cassin Young graduated from the Naval Academy 3 June 1916. His service ashore and afloat included command of Evans (DD-78), and at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack, he was commanding Vestal (AR-4). His actions on 7 December 1941 illustrated graphically the high devotion to duty that is the goal of every naval officer. First he rapidly organized offensive action, personally taking charge of one of Vestal's antiaircraft guns. When Arizona's forward magazine exploded, the blast blew Cassin Young overboard, and although stunned he determined to save his ship by getting her away from the blazing Arizona. Swimming back to Vestal, which had already been hit and was to be hit again, Young got her underway, and finally beached her, thus insuring her later salvage. Such heroic exemplification of his profession was recognized by the award to him of the Medal of Honor. Captain Young commanded San Francisco in the heated battles of Cape Esperance and Guadalcanal with great distinction which resulted in the award of the Navy Cross to him, and the Presidential Unit Citation to his ship. He was killed in action in the Battle of Guadalcanal, 13 November 1942.

Cassin Young (DD-793) was launched 12 September 1943 by Bethlehem Steel Corp., San Pedro, Calif.; sponsored by Mrs. C. Young; and commissioned 31 December 1943, Commander E. T. Schrieber in command.

Cassin Young arrived at Pearl Harbor 19 March 1944 to complete her training before sailing on to Manus, where she joined the massive carrier striking force TF 58. On 28 April, this force sortied for smashing air attacks on Japanese strongholds at Truk, Woleai, Sata-wan, and Ponape, during which Cassin Young operated as picket ship, assigned to warn her group of possible enemy counterattack. She returned to Majuro, and then Pearl Harbor for further training before reporting to Eniwetok 11 June to join the screen of escort carriers assigned to covering duty in the invasion of Saipan 4 days later. In addition to radar picket and screening duty, she was also called upon for inshore fire support. As the battle for Saipan raged ashore, escort carriers of Cassin Young's group launched attacks on the island, as well as sorties to neutralize enemy air fields on Tinian, Rota, and Guam. Similar operations supporting the subsequent assaults on Tinian and Guam claimed the services of Cassin Young until 13 August, when she returned to Eniwetok to replenish.

Continue to the full service history →About 1,289 words

From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Cassin Young (DD-793)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.