Oral History Interview with Cecil Young, October 9, 2003
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Oral History Interview with Cecil Young, October 9, 2003 (Text)
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Cecil Young. Young was born in Bowie, Texas on 2 October 1919. After graduating from high school in 1937, he attended Abilene Christian College on a football scholarship. After graduating from college in June 1941, he began a coaching career. He entered the Navy in June 1942 as a Chief Petty Officer and went to Norfolk, Virginia for two weeks of boot training. He then went to Little Creek, Virginia for three months of amphibious training. Upon completion of the training he boarded a ship bound for Algiers. He spent one year as a member of the staff preparing for the invasion of Italy. At this time Young received notification of promotion to ensign and reported to New York to attend a school. At the end of three weeks he was sent to the University of Arizona for training in communications. Upon completion of the course, he was sent to Coronado, California where he trained in the operation of LCVP landing craft. In August 1944 he boarded the USS Carteret (APA-70) carrying eight LCVPs and combat troops for the invasion of Iwo Jima. He describes combat and observed the flag-raising on Mount Suribachi. After twelve days the ship returned to Saipan with wounded. Once there, Young prepared for the invasion of Okinawa. He participated in the invasion of Okinawa and saw many kamikaze aircraft crash into ships of the invasion fleet. Following the surrender of Japan, the Carteret made several visits to Korea, China and the United States. Young returned to the United States in spring, 1946 and he was discharged shortly thereafter.
Oral History Interview with Cecil Young, October 9, 2003, [transcript] ark:/67531/metapth1604452
Oral History Interview with Cecil Young, October 9, 2003, audio recording, October 9, 2003; Fredericksburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1608261/: accessed May 31, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation.