Major Clarence You King Young

Early Life

Master Sergeant Clarence You-King Young’s grandparents were Chinese immigrants who arrived in Hawaiʻi in the mid-nineteenth century to work on sugar plantations. They played a significant role in Hawaiʻi’a labor force, enduring harsh conditions on the plantations. After their contracts ended, many chose to settle in Honolulu, where they found work in the community near what is now known as Honolulu’s Chinatown.

Growing Up Near Honolulu’s Chinatown

Young’s father, Howard Kung Sing Young, married Clara Chee Lum, and together they raised Clarence and his four sisters. The family lived on Vineyard Boulevard, within walking distance of the area known as Chinatown. Howard supported the family by working as an accountant at a Honolulu iron foundry and as a taxi driver to make ends meet. Later, he took a position as a civilian statistician with the U.S. Army at Fort Shafter.

Working at Hawaiian Air Depot

Like all residents of Honolulu, Clarence faced hardships in the aftermath of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the United States’ entry into World War II. He spent his teenage years under martial law, enduring strict curfews, nightly blackouts to protect against potential enemy bombings, and rationed food, gasoline, and other essentials. Workers were assigned jobs based on wartime needs with little freedom to switch employment. Young left Saint Louis high School early to work as a civilian at Hickam Air Force Base during the war, employed by the Hawaiian Air Depot as a mechanic’s helper and then a welder at the beginning of the war. He was drafted in 1945 and sent to basic training. He later completed his GED in 1948.

Homefront

The Hawaiian Air Depot During World War II 

The VII Air Force Service Command played a vital role in the Pacific Theater, overseeing the supply, maintenance, and modification of aircraft from Hawai`i to Australia. Based at Hickam Air Force Base in Pearl Harbor, the Hawaiian Air Depot became a crucial transit hub, enhancing bombers like the B-24D for improved firepower. With vast distances requiring heavy reliance on air transport, the Seventh Air Force compensated for its lack of cargo planes by utilizing bombers for freight. Staffed primarily by civilians, the depot faced unique personnel challenges but ultimately became a key modification center, ensuring aircraft were combat-ready.

Korean War Military Staging, Training, and Supply Hub

Hawaiʻi, particularly Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Force Base, served as a crucial transit point for troops, equipment, and supplies heading to Korea. Ships and aircraft transported ammunition, food, and war materials from Hawaiʻi, ensuring a steady flow of resources to the front lines. Additionally, military units trained in Hawai`i before deployment, preparing soldiers for combat conditions in Korea.

Korean War Medical Evacuation and Treatment

Hawai`i also played a major role in treating wounded soldiers. Tripler Army Medical Center became a key facility for stabilizing and rehabilitating troops evacuated from Korea before they were sent home or returned to duty. Many injured service members were flown from the battlefield to Hawai`i for urgent care, making it a critical link in the medical evacuation chain.

Military Experience

Occupation of Germany and the Berlin Airlift

Clarence Young enlisted in the Air Force on February 19, 1946. By November of that year, he reported for duty at Rhein-Main Air Base in Frankfurt, Germany, where he served for three years. U.S. troops established the base in 1945 as a vital logistics hub for operations across Europe. Nicknamed the “Gateway to Europe,” it became a key U.S. Air Force installation. During Young’s time at the base, it played a critical role in the 1948 Berlin Airlift. He completed his service and returned to Hawai`i after his discharge in January 1949.

Re-Enlistment and 5th R.C.T. Deployed to South Korea

Young reenlisted in the U.S. Army on April 11, 1949, working as an auto mechanic at the Hawaiian Ordnance Depot. With the outbreak of the Korean War, he was reassigned to the 24^th Division, 5^th Regimental Combat Team (RCT), 2^nd Battalion, George Company, along with personnel from various non-combat roles.

In July 1950, after brief training, he deployed to Korea. Expecting to return home that evening, he instead boarded trucks to Pier 39 for departure. Initially believing they were bound for Japan, he later learned they were heading to Korea. He would not see his family again until August 1953.

Stand or Die Battles for Pusan Perimeter

Young arrived in Pusan, South Korea, with the 5^th Regimental Combat Team, assigned to the 1^st Cavalry Division. His unit quickly engaged in combat near Masan, attacking a hill before moving to Chindon-ni, where they defended and regained control of Hill 342 (Fox Hill). On August 13, during the Battle of Battle Mountain, Young’s unit endured relentless fire while fighting for Hill 665, which changed hands multiple times. Only 68 men from his company survived.

When the Great Naktong Offensive began on September 1, 1950, the 5^th RCT faced human wave attacks, known as “banzai” attacks. They held their ground from Chinju to Chingdong-ni Road, driving the enemy back while enduring severe casualties. After weeks of fierce fighting, the 5^th RCT was reassigned to replace the decimated 34^th Infantry Division. By mid-September, after 38 days of combat, Young’s unit had suffered significant losses but continued their mission, pushing towards Seoul.

After the 7^th Infantry Division and Marines landed at Inchon, the 5^th RCT captured Waegwan, crossed the Naktong River, and advanced north as part of the breakout from the Pusan Perimeter. The combat team entered North Korea on October 17, 1950. Clarence Young was originally listed as missing and later reported slightly wounded in October 1950.

Retreat from Northern Border

In November 1950, Young’s unit reached Sinanju near the North Korean-Manchurian border without resistance, leading many to believe the war was over. On November 24, they received a Thanksgiving meal in freezing conditions.

The next day, November 25, the Chinese launched a massive counter-offensive, forcing the 8^th Army into the longest retreat in U.S. Army history. The major assault on the first night, causing a breakthrough. The 5^th RCT advanced north to establish a blocking position, delaying the enemy and allowing for an organized retreat.

Defending Against Third Chinese Offensive

On January 17, 1951, Young and the 5^th RCT began conducting platoon-sized patrols every other day to Ichon. On January 21, Company G, reinforced with tanks, recoilless rifles, mortars, and two squads, launched a patrol that captured two Chinese soldiers. Another patrol from Company G faced a fierce firefight, with seven soldiers wounded and out of ammunition, forcing a withdrawal. Throughout January, the 5^th RCT earned the Combat Infantry Streamer on January 23, 1951, for their exceptional combat performance.

On January 29, 1951, Young’s unit resumed their attack northward. During an assault, Young was struck by a mortar blast, causing a neck wound from shrapnel. After treatment by a medic, he was sent to the battalion aid station and later to Kyoto, Japan, for surgery. Despite believing he would return to Hawai`i, Young was instead sent back to Korea to rejoin his unit after a month in the hospital.

On a train heading north to rejoin his unit, Young saw a Korean mother and her baby without warm clothing in the cold. Moved by the sight, he gave them two GI blankets from his duffel bag and gestured for them to wrap up in them. The mother tried to thank him in Korean, and Young wrote a note explaining the gift, including his name, rank, and unit, in case they were questioned by authorities. He also gave her $50 in American money for food. Reflecting on his actions, he wondered if his compassion was driven by thoughts of his own family.

CCF First Spring Offensive and the Valley of Death

During the CCF First Spring Offensive from April 22-25, 1951, Young’s platoon was tasked with providing flank security as part of the 5^th Regimental Combat Team near the vicinity of Chongpyong, South Korea. While positioned in a small valley, Young observed large numbers of enemy troops moving down the ridges toward his platoon. He reported the attack, but was ordered to hold his position. As enemy forces closed in, Young’s platoon engaged in heavy fire, with several casualties sustained. Tanks and half-tracks were unable to provide adequate support due to limited mobility on the narrow road.

When enemy forces advanced within 100 yards, Young directed his men to retreat to a more protected position. He then took over the .30 caliber machine gun on a half-track, firing into the enemy’s position while loading ammunition with one hand. In the midst of the battle, Young’s position was hit by multiple mortar rounds, flipping the half-track and injuring him leaving shrapnel in left thigh and head.

Young briefly lost consciousness amid chaotic scenes of burning vehicles and mortar fire. He gathered about a dozen men from his platoon and led them across rice paddies to a deserted village, unaware that enemy forces had established a roadblock. The next morning, North Korean soldiers captured them, separating and shooting the wounded. Chinese soldiers intervened, halting the executions and taking Young and his men into custody. After being searched and questioned, they were marched north, marking another harrowing experience his combat journey.

Escape Attempts for POW Camps 

During the start of his captivity in North Korea, Young marched with fellow prisoners for weeks, enduring starvation and harsh conditions. Interrogated repeatedly by Chinese guards, he and other POWs provided only basic identifying information. Forced to carry heavy 50-pound rice sacks, Young’s group split into small teams with minimal armed escort.

At a village break, he encountered an elderly prisoner claiming to be the commander of the 24^th Division, who Young nicknamed “Pop.” They exchanged unit details and updated each other on recent events, sharing a rare moment of levity amid extreme hardship. They then parted, with the hope of meeting again.

In June 1951, months after his capture, Young participated in a brutal death march deep into North Korea as a POW. His unit marched under harsh conditions, losing many men to wounds, sickness, or being shot for falling behind.

The Mining Camp

Young was transferred to a large camp known as “The Mining Camp,” located in a deep ravine bordered by high ridges. Prisoners received only one daily meal of soupy rice or millet, and many starved. Young believed his Chinese heritage might offer some leniency.

One day, he cut his hair short like the Chinese guards and stole a pair of pants from their clothesline. The next morning, he donned the pants, went barefoot without a shirt, and passed the compound gate, blending in as a Korean laborer in a nearby village. In the village, he used his American money to purchase Korean taffy candy and food, which he shared with the ill and starving prisoners. Over the course of two weeks, when his funds ran out, he began raiding local vegetable gardens and orchards to supplement their meager rations.

Eventually, his repeated escapes drew the attention of the guards. He was detained, his stolen pants confiscated, and he spent a week in solitary confinement. After his release, determined to further harass his captors, he stole a book of matches and, with the help of fellow prisoners, orchestrated acts of mischief—disrupting enemy routines by throwing shoes into a village well and setting a hut’s straw roof on fire.

The Chinese General: Protest and Torture

Young was held in a permanent POW camp with over 1,000 UN prisoners, primarily Canadians, British, Australians, and Americans. Many suffered from dysentery and malnutrition, with up to 40 deaths daily. Young participated in over 100 burial details.

During a visit by a Chinese general, all prisoners were ordered to stand. Young refused and laughed instead, explaining that he thought of his grandmother—who had wisely left China. In response, the general threatened that Young would be the last to be released, if ever, and ordered his confinement. He was placed in solitary confinement for two weeks. Despite the physical pain and weakness, encouragement from fellow prisoners helped him endure the harsh conditions.

Second POW Camp & Interrogation

In a second POW camp, Young and other prisoners were separated by rank and housed near officer barracks. An officer warned him he might be turned over as a Chinese spy. Later, a Chinese interpreter interrogated him, accusing him of fighting against his “motherland.” When the interpreter tried to force Young to declare to the other camp soldiers he sided with the Chinese, he declared, “Red China is not my motherland. Uncle Sam is my motherland,” and was released after a week in isolation.

Escape Attempt Two During March

Young planned a second escape attempt with six officers while on a POW march to Camp 5 (Pyoktong). One night, when the guards were inattentive, they fled into the hills, wandering for four days in the mountains before heading south. Near a Korean house, Young impersonated a Chinese guard to mislead locals, and they secured food and water. However, upon entering a small village, they were surrounded by Chinese troops, forced to surrender, and Young was separated from his officers and sent to POW Camp 1.

POW Camp 1 and Another Escape Attempt

Young was initially sent to POW Camp 1 near the Yalu River, where only enlisted men were held. After two weeks in solitary confinement with limited food and water, he was released and met fellow prisoners from Hawai`i. He was assigned to hard labor, carrying logs and cutting wood, which kept him in shape. Despite the difficult conditions, he kept morale high among the men by organizing humorous activities.

Young attempted a third escape with a group of eight prisoners. Their plan involved swimming across the Yalu River to Manchuria, but the strong current thwarted their efforts. After a harrowing swim, Young and a few others were captured by a Chinese patrol. The escape attempt failed, and the survivors were returned to camp and placed in solitary confinement for a week.

Operation Big Switch

In June 1953, at Pyoktong POW Camp 5, Young learned that peace talks were progressing and some prisoners would be exchanged. By July, the armistice was signed, and prisoners, starting with the wounded, were selected for release. Before his friends left, he asked them to inform his family he was alive, urging them to check POW and MIA lists if his name was missing.

In September 1953, as Operation Big Switch continued, Young, one of the last prisoners, feared being left behind. Finally, he was told he was going home. After gathering his belongings and changing clothes, he boarded a truck and then a train south. Before departure, a Chinese general, who had previously threatened to keep him behind, acknowledged his defiance. Young saluted him and reflected on his survival despite multiple escape attempts and rebellious actions.

Upon arrival at Panmunjom, Young received a chaplain’s session, decontamination, and clean fatigues. He ordered a steak and ice cream sundae, but suffered a severe reaction. The next day, he was flown to Japan and taken to Tokyo General Hospital Annex, where doctors discovered a piece of shrapnel near his lungs, previously undetected. After successful surgery and quick recovery, he continued his journey home.

Journey Home with General Dean

While having breakfast at the hospital cafeteria, Young encountered General Dean, the man he nicknamed “Pops,” who recognized him from their time in captivity. That evening, Young met with the general in his quarters, where they discussed their prison experiences. General Dean offered Young a seat on his flight to Hawai`i and arranged for him to receive two fitted uniforms. The next day, Young discovered he had been promoted to Master Sergeant while in captivity. He packed his belongings and joined General Dean and other POWs on a C-54 transport plane, beginning his journey home.

Aboard the hospital plane, Young sat with General Dean. Dean assured him of his support and arranged for a brief aerial tour of Oahu before landing at Hickam Air Force Base. Upon arrival, General Dean insisted Young step off the plane first as his personal aide. The reception included high-ranking officials, an honor guard, and a cheering crowd.

Continued Service with the U.S. Army

Master Sergeant Young was honorably discharged on December 14, 1953, but he was not done serving his country. He reenlisted immediately for another six years at Schofield Barracks. By February 1955, he was stationed in North Carolina, where he continued to served in the U.S. Army with an engineer battalion.

In 1959, Young re-enlisted and was assigned to the 87^th Engineer Battalion, Company A (Construction) at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he served as a construction foreman and bulldozer operator. Their duties included repairing, improving, and reconstructing ranges, roads, and bridges; clearing land; installing a power line; and overseeing the construction of a battalion-size camp.

Vietnam War 

On May 21, 1963, Master Seargeant Young re-enlisted one more time and was assigned to the 65^th Engineer Battalion, Company E, at Wheeler Army Airfield in Hawai`i, serving as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. The unit was attached to the 25^th Infantry Division, which was responsible for the Army’s immediate reaction force in the Pacific and frequently participated in deployments and exercises in Thailand, Taiwan, and Okinawa. In June 1964, Young was reassigned to 633^rd Engineer Company, Light Equipment for a deployment to Korea tenyears after the war’s end.

After more than two decades of distinguished service, Master Sergeant Clarence Y. K. Young retired from the U.S. Army on May 31, 1966, and was transferred to the Army reserves until January 20, 1976, having faithfully served his country through multiple conflicts and challenges.

Veteran Experience

During Clarence Young’s service in Frankfurt, Germany, he met Anne Marie Wagner of Kelsterbach, Germany. They married on November 20, 1948. Their first child, a daughter named Thelma, was born in Germany. After relocating to Hawai’i in 1949, they had a son, John. Following Young’s return from Korea, they had three more children: Robert, Linda, and Martina.

After retiring from the U.S. Army in 1966, Young went to work at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Shop 26, as a welder for 21 years. His son Robert would also work at the shipyard at the same time.

In February 2004, fellow soldier Arsaio Vendiola wrote to United States Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawai’i recommending that Young be awarded the Medal of Honor for trying to save his platoon until the vehicle he was firing from was hit by a mortar. After the senator communicated with the Army, Master Sergeant Young was awarded a Silver Star, the Army’s third-highest medal of valor. Akaka pinned the medal on Young’s chest 54 years later during a pre-Memorial Day ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

In his retirement, Young devoted much of his time talking to military service members, especially younger ones.

Commemoration

Master Sergeant Clarence Young exemplified courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to his country. When the Korean War erupted in 1950, he was among the brave soldiers of the “Hawaiian Regiment” called into service. Despite being wounded twice in battle, earning him the Purple Heart, Young continued his service with resilience.

MSgt. Clarence Young was recognized for his bravery and dedication with numerous military honors, including the Good Conduct Medal with four loops, the Purple Heart, and the Korean Service Medal with one Silver Star. He was also awarded the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for his service and sacrifice.

Even in retirement, Young remained committed to the military community, dedicating his time to mentoring younger service members. His legacy of bravery, resilience, and dedication to both family and country continues to inspire generations.

Anna died on August 6, 2010, and Clarence Young passed away on February 6, 2013. They are buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawai’i, along with their daughter, Linda.

Bibliography

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“Anna Marie Wagner Young.” Find a Grave. Updated October 26, 2015. Accessed March 25, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/107470326/clarence-you_king-young. 

Baldovi, Louis. A Foxhole View: Personal Accounts of Hawaii’s Korean War Veterans. University of Hawai’i, 2002.

Chang, Albert. The Way to War: A Pictorial Monograph. Tongg Publishing Company, 1952.

“Clarence You King Young.” Find a Grave. Updated March 28, 2013. Accessed March 25, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/107470326/clarence-you_king-young. 

“Clarence You King Young.” Veterans Legacy Memorial, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Accessed March 25, 2025. https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/CLARENCEYOUKINGYOUNG/0EC5CE3. 

Craven, W.F., and J.L. Cate, eds. The Army Air Forces in World War II Volume Four, The Pacific: Guadalcanal to Saipan, August 1942 to July 1944. Office of Air Force History, 1950. https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/IV/AAF-IV-9.html. 

“Fifth R.C.T.” 5th Infantry Regiment Association. Accessed March 25, 2025. https://bobcat.ws/history/timeline. 

“Linda Agatha Young Vanover.” Find a Grave. Updated October 26, 2015. Accessed March 25, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/154259780/linda_agatha-vanover. 

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This profile was funded by a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.