Allan L Young
SGT. U.S. Army
1968-71 / Vietnam
After completing basic training in the United States Army, Sgt. Young attended Military Intelligence School at Ft. Holabird, Maryland to become an Area Intelligence Specialist. He subsequently attended Vietnamese Language School where for 47 weeks he had the opportunity to become familiar with the language, customs, and culture of the Vietnamese people.
In 1970 and 71, Sgt. Young served as an advisor to a Vietnamese Military Security Service unit in the Delta of Vietnam. Sgt. Young was involved in intelligence operations including the capture and interrogation of suspected Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army cadre operating in Dinh Tuong and Ben Tre Provinces. As a result of actions during classified operations, he was awarded the U.S. Bronze Star Medal.
Sgt. Young was also awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star for actions involving the capture of weapons and documents, and assistance rendered to a fellow combatant on February 23, 1971 during operations in Dinh Tuong Province.
Mr. Young remembered many of his service related experiences vividly, some fondly, and some not so fondly. He remembered the laughter of his interpreter, Nhan, at stupid jokes that Nhan did not quite understand. He remembered a small dog named “Sparky” he had for a couple of months, but which he lost track of only to hope for Sparky to live a long and happy life. He remembered beautiful blue skies, fast moving clouds, and lush green vegetation. He remembered the sing-song sounds of Vietnamese melodies that told the age-old stories of love and sadness. He remembered the smells of strong incense burning and fried bananas on the pot stoves.
He remembered the smell of diesel fuel, cordite, and rotting vegetation. He remembered sounds of gunfire, confusion, and the highs of the aftermath. Yes, he remembered a lot about his service experience.
Mr. Young had the opportunity to get to know the Vietnamese people and their struggles and came to appreciate the freedoms we as American citizens enjoy, and sometimes, unfortunately, take for granted.
Additional Medals earned: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal
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