Biography - Part 3

Military Experience (continued)
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 and accused him of fighting against his “motherland.” When the interpreter tried to force Young to tell 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.

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 and wandered 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.

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, where he carried logs and cut 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.

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.

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 Hawaiʻi 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, where he began 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.

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 87th 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.

On May 21, 1963, Master Sergeant Young re-enlisted one more time and was assigned to the 65th Engineer Battalion, Company E, at Wheeler Army Airfield in Hawai`i, where he served as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. The unit was attached to the 25th 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 633rd Engineer Company, Light Equipment for a deployment to Korea, ten years 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 he retired 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 also worked at the shipyard at the same time.

In February 2004, fellow soldier Arsaio Vendiola wrote to United States Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawai'i and recommended 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, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart, Young continued his service with resilience.

Master Sergeant 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 and dedicated 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.



Biography - Part 2

Military Experience
Clarence Young enlisted in the U.S. Army 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 there, the base played a critical role in the 1948 Berlin Airlift. He completed his service and returned to Hawaiʻi after his discharge in January 1949.

Young reenlisted in the U.S. Army on April 11, 1949, and worked as an auto mechanic at the Hawaiian Ordnance Depot. With the outbreak of the Korean War, he was reassigned to Company G,  2nd Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team (RCT),   24th Infantry Division, 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 a truck to Pier 39 for departure. He initially believed they they were bound for Japan, but later learned they were headed to Korea. He did not see his family again until August 1953.

Young arrived in Pusan, South Korea, with the 5th Regimental Combat Team, assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division. His unit quickly engaged in combat near Masan, where they attacked 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 emerged unscathed.

When the Great Naktong Offensive began on September 1, 1950, the 5th RCT faced human wave attacks, known as "banzai" attacks because they were reminiscent of Japanese assaults against U.S. troops during World War II. They held their ground from Chinju to Chingdong-ni Road, and drove the enemy back, but suffered severe casualties. After weeks of fierce fighting, the 5th RCT was reassigned to replace the decimated 34th Infantry Regiment. By mid-September, after 38 days of combat, Young's unit, which had suffered significant losses, continued their mission, pushing towards Seoul.

After the 7th Infantry Division and Marines landed at Inchon, the 5th 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.

In November 1950, Young’s unit reached Sinanju near the North Korean-Manchurian border without resistance, which led 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, which forced the 8th Army into the longest retreat in U.S. Army history. The major assault on the first night caused a breakthrough. The 5th RCT advanced north and established a blocking position, which delayed the enemy and allowed for an organized retreat.

Beginning on January 17, 1951, Young and the 5th RCT conducted 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, which forced a withdrawal. Throughout January, the 5th 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, which caused 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 his belief that he would return to Hawai`i, Young was instead sent back to Korea where he rejoined his unit after a month in the hospital.

On a train headed 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 that explained the gift, along with his name, rank, and unit, in case they were questioned by authorities. He also gave her $50 in American money for food. Later, he reflected on his actions and wondered if his compassion was driven by thoughts of his own family.

During the Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) First Spring Offensive from April 22-25, 1951, Young’s platoon was provided flank security as part of the 5th Regimental Combat Team near 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 could not 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. He fired into the enemy’s position while loading ammunition with one hand. In the midst of battle, Young’s position was hit by multiple mortar rounds, which flipped the half-track and left him injured when he was struck by shrapnel in his 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 and separated them, then proceeded to shoot the wounded. Chinese soldiers intervened, halted the executions, and took Young and his men into custody. After being searched and questioned, they were marched north, which marked another harrowing experience on his combat journey.

During the start of his captivity in North Korea, Young marched with fellow prisoners for weeks, as well as endured 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 24th Infantry Division, who Young nicknamed "Pop." They exchanged unit details and updated each other on recent events, which provided 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 and lost many men to wounds, sickness, and being shot for falling behind.

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, where he blended 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 raided 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.

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, which caused 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, laughed instead, and explained 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 suffering physical pain and weakness, he received encouragement from fellow prisoners that helped him endure the harsh conditions.

Biography - Part 1

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’s 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.

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 now 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.

Like all residents of Honolulu, Clarence faced hardships in the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor bombing and 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 and worked as a civilian at Hickam Air Force Base, where he was 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 while serving in the military.

Homefront
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 that enhanced bombers, like the B-24D, for improved firepower. With vast distances that required 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 that ensured aircraft were combat-ready.

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

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



The Young family lived in Honolulu, Hawai`i, in 1940, according to the U.S. federal census. National Archives and Records Administration.

The Young family in the 1940 manuscript census.

The 5th Regimental Combat Team finished training at Schofield Barracks and were loaded into pineapple trucks to ship out to Korea, July 22, 1950. Photograph by Albert Chang, State of Hawai`i.

Soldiers loading gear onto trucks for transport.

Men of the 5th Regimental Combat Team in the Korean War, September 18, 1950. Harry S. Truman Library & Museum (2007-453).

Soldiers walk across a field, covered by two large tanks.

Clarence Young, riding a calf in Korea, December 1950. National Archives and Records Administration. Published in A Foxhole View: Personal Accounts of Hawaii's Korean War Veterans.

Clarence Young, riding a small calf, while five others soldiers look on.

Prisoner of War Camp (POW) No. 5 at Pyoktong, on the Yalu River in Pyoktong, North Korea. Australian War Memorial (P00305.003).

View from a hill looking down on a series of buildings next to the river in North Korea.

Clarence Young returned to Hawai'i and was reunited with his three-year-old son, Johnny. Honolulu Star-Advertiser, September 22, 1953.

Clarence Young, wearing many leis, talking to his young son upon his return from Korea.

Former Korean War POW Clarence Young and his wife Anna display their collection of ceramic figurines and beer steins from Germany. Honolulu Star-Bulletin, May 28, 2005.

Clarence and Anna Young sharing their collection of German figurines and beer steins.

U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka pins a Silver Star on Army Master Sergeant Clarence Young. Honolulu Star-Bulletin, May 30, 2005.

Clarence Y.K. Young receiving a Silver Star.

Retired Army Master Sergeant Clarence Y. K. Young bowed his head in prayer during the fiftieth anniversary of the Korean War ceremony. Honolulu Star-Advertiser, June 26, 2000.

Clarence Y.K. Young, wearing his Korean War Veteran hat. Embroidered on his hat is, "I'll Try, Sir."

Clarence Y.K. Young’s obituary. Honolulu Star-Advertiser, February 21, 2013.

The grave of Clarence and Anna Young, and their daughter, Linda, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, December 9, 2024. Courtesy of Lynne O’Hara.

The grave markers of Clarence Young, Anna Marie Young, and Linda Young.

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