Hull Number: DE-723
Class: RUDDEROW
RUDDEROW Class
Namesake: WALTER XAVIER YOUNG
WALTER XAVIER YOUNG
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, April 2016
Walter Xavier Young was born in Chicago, Ill., on 22 October 1918. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on 6 January 1941 and, following training at the Marine Barracks, Quantico, Va., was commissioned a second lieutenant on 29 May 1941. After commissioning, Lt. Young received training at the Signal Corps School, Fort Monmouth, N.J., and was then assigned to the Marine Barracks, New River, N.C., into 1942.
Promoted to first lieutenant on 6 June 1942, he was communications officer of a Marine parachute battalion which took part in the attack upon Gavutu, Solomon Islands, on 7 August 1942. During the extremely dangerous initial landings on Gavutu, Lt. Young single-handedly assaulted a Japanese-held dugout commanding a portion of the dock on the island which was a key objective. While successfully penetrating and neutralizing the dugout, Young was wounded by rifle fire and died later that day. For his heroic action, Lt. Young was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously.
Disposition:
Cancelled 12 Mar 44