Robert Nicholas Young

Robert Nicholas Young (January 14, 1900 – October 19, 1964) was a Lieutenant General in the United States Army. He gained prominence in the 1950s as the commander of the 2nd Infantry Division during the Korean War and as commander of the Sixth United States Army.

Early life
Young was born on January 14, 1900 in Washington, D.C. He graduated from the University of Maryland in 1922 and received his commission as a second lieutenant of Infantry through the Reserve Officer Training Corps.

Start of military career


After receiving his commission Young served in positions of increasing rank and responsibility throughout the United States, including Fort Eustis, Virginia, Camp Meade, Maryland, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. In the late 1920s and early 1930s he served as assistant professor of military science in the R.O.T.C. program at the University of Maryland.

In 1933 Young graduated from the Infantry School Officer Course, and he completed the Signal School Commanding Officer Course in 1934.

In the mid-1930s Young served as an instructor at the Fort Benning, Georgia Infantry School.

Young was a 1938 graduate of the Command and General Staff College.

World War II


From 1941 to 1942 Young served as assistant secretary to the General Staff at the War Department, afterwards advancing to become secretary to the General Staff, where he served until 1943.

Young was assigned as assistant division commander of the 70th Infantry Division from 1943 to 1944 during its combat in Europe. From 1944 to 1945 he continued to serve in Europe as assistant division commander and acting division commander of the 3rd Infantry Division.

Post World War II


General Young’s service continued after World War II. From 1945 to 1946 he served as commander of the Military District of Washington.

Young commanded the Army's Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas from 1946 to 1948.

From 1948 to 1950 Young served in Hawaii as Chief of Staff for U.S. Army, Pacific.

From 1950 to 1951 Young was assistant division commander of the 82nd Airborne Division.

Korean War
From 1951 to 1952 Young served as commander of the 2nd Infantry Division. He was commander of the division during the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge.

Post Korean War
Young was commander of the United States Army Infantry School from 1952 to 1953.

In 1953 Young was named the Army’s Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel, G-1, where he served until 1955.

Young was appointed commander of the Sixth United States Army in 1955, and served in this post until his 1957 retirement.

Awards and decorations
General Young’s awards included three Distinguished Service Medals, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, two awards of the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart.

Retirement and death
In retirement General Young resided in Asheville, North Carolina. He died there on October 19, 1964, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 6, Site 5685 RH.