Douglas W. Young was born in McKittrick, California, on September 12, 1918, to Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Young. The family, which included another son, moved to Santa Cruz where Doug spent a portion of his formative years. He attended Santa Cruz High School and while in school, was active in the band, the football team and Future Farmers of America.

After graduating in 1936, Young went to work in a small trucking business that his father and brother operated. Later the family moved to Los Angeles where Doug married and started a family that included a son and a daughter.

On November 25, 1943, Douglas Young was inducted into the US Army at Los Angeles and reported to San Luis Obispo, California, for basic training. Later he obtained additional instruction in Texas before being sent overseas. Private Young was assigned to a heavy tank gun crew in Company A, 16th Armored Infantry Battalion, 13th Armored Division of Patton's Third Army, in Southern Germany.

“Shifting south to Eschenau, the Division prepared for Bavarian operations. Starting from Parsberg, 26 April, the 13th crossed the Regen River, then the Danube at Matting and secured the area near Dunzling. On the 28th, elements closed in at Plattling and crossed the Isar River.”

According to information received by his family, Private First Class Douglas W. Young was killed in action on April 30, 1945, as his unit was crossing the Isar River where it was caught under enemy fire. He was originally buried in a US Military Cemetery in Nuremberg, Germany; however, his remains were later returned and interred in Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.

(NARA2; USDVA; SCHSC Pg. 21, WIKI, 13th Armored Div., SCSn June 5, 1945 1:4; SCR June 1, 1945 -1)