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Corporal Michael A. Young, USMC
Michael was born at Sherman Hospital in Elgin, Illinois on December 29,1949. He was the second son born to Albert and Betty Young of 7214 Seemann Road, Huntley, Illinois. The Young family had five children, four boys and one girl. Michael graduated from Evergreen School, Union, Illinois in 1964. During his grade school years he kept busy on the family farm.
He attended Marengo Community High School. During high school he was involved in the following activities: Future Farmers of America 1,2,3,4, F.F.A. Awards 1,2,3,4, F.F.A. Officer 3,4, "M" Club 3,4, football 1,2,3, Honor roll 2,3, F.F.A. State convention delegate 1, F.F.A. Parliamentary Contest 1,2,3, public speaking contest 1,2,3, F.F.A. Soil judging contest 3,4, chapter scholarship 4, A.C.T. scholarship semi finalist 4. He was a Marengo High School letterman.
When Michael was in his junior and senior year of high school he worked the night shift and weekends at Techalloy in Union, Illinois. During that time Michael also received his private
pilots license through Dacy airport in Harvard, Illinois. Michael graduated from MCHS in the class of'68. He attended the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.
On October 27, 1969 Michael enlisted in the US Marine Corp. He received his basic training at Camp Pendelton, San Diego, California. He attended helicopter maintenance training school at Memphis, Tennessee and received further training at Marine Helicopter Air Station, Santa Anna, California. Michael received top honors and letters of commendation at both schools and he obtained the rank of corporal. Michael was sent to Vietnam on January 26,1971 was stationed at the air base at Da Nang, South Vietnam.
Michael was killed Tuesday March 30,1971, in Thau Thien Province while supporting ground troops. The helicopter on which he was a door gunner came under hostile gun fire and crashed.
Funeral services were held Thursday, April 8,1971 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Union, Illinois with Rev. Kenneth Benson officiating. Internment with full military honors at the Union, Illinois Cemetery. President George Schmitt of Union declared Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, April 6th, 7th, and 8th, 1971 as a memorial to Cpl. Michael Young. All flags were flown at half mast through the village of Union in Michael's memory.
We shall never forget you Michael, and we will keep you in our memories forever.
April 1999 - updated Aug. 2008 Mike Bigalke 815-568-5887
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