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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 1015

The impressive U.S. Bronze Star awarded to 2nd Lieutenant W. D. Young, 320th Infantry, who was decorated for a daring escape from captivity in April 1945

United States of America, Bronze Star (Winfred Young), engraved naming, about very fine

Bronze Star, Headquarters 35th Infantry Division General Orders, 22 May 1945:

'For heroic service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States near * * *, Germany on 16 April 1945. While Lieutenant Young and an enlisted man were engaged in reconnoitering enemy positions, they were captured and marched towards the rear under guard. Displaying a high order of personal bravery, Lieutenant Young and his companion suddenly turned on their guards, killed one and rendered the other unconcious, then made their way to their unit, where they directed very effective mortar fire upon the enemy emplacements which they had discovered while behind enemy lines. Lieutenant Young's heroic actions are in accord with military tradition.'

Winfred Delorn Young of Joplin, Missouri was born on 9 April 1920 and attested for military service in February 1942, serving in the ranks of the 320th Infantry before being commissioned Second Lieutenant. The 320th landed in France on 6 July 1944 (exactly one month after D-Day) and an accompanying newpaper article notes Young (as a Staff Sergeant, aged 24) being wounded in action on 27 July. The regiment thenceforth participated in the Allied advance into Germany, and by 1945 were involved in the crossings of the Rhine and Elbe rivers - scene of Young's feat of gallantry. The Regimental History adds further to his impressive citation: '2/Lt. Winfred D. Young of Joplin, Mo., and S/Sgt. James F. Wasson of Dennis, Kan., were also captured during this fighting. The two H Company men dismounted from their jeep to investigate German equipment scattered along an embankment. They walked up the embankment and directly into a Nazi machine gun nest.
Two of the German crew marched the Yanks back single file through a wood, with one German leading and the other in the rear. The Americans plotted in English. Then, at an auspicious moment, they turned on their captors. Using their steel helmets, they bashed the Nazis senseless, and made their escape.' ('Story of the 320th Infantry', 1945, p. 51 refers). Further entitled to the Purple Heart, Young died in November 1998 at the age of 78, and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside County, California.

Sold together with a small amount of copied research, including Bronze Star citation, Regimental History extract, image of his grave, and modern plaque for display inscribed with his citation.

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Sold for
£95

Starting price
£40