[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 21 (Tuesday, March 1, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E317-E318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO SMSGT ROBERT F. YOUNG, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 1, 2005

  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of SMSgt 
Robert F. Young. Originally from Rochester, New York, Sergeant Young 
enlisted in the U.S. Navy through the delayed enlistment program on 
December 1, 1966, and was called to active duty in February 1967.
  After completing basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training 
Center, Illinois in May, 1967, Sergeant Young was assigned to the Naval 
Air Station, North Island, San Diego; California, where he was assigned 
to Antisubmarine Squadron, VAW 110. In May 1968, Sergeant Young began 
technical school training as an Aviation Electronics Technician at the 
Naval Technical Training Center in Memphis, Tennessee. After graduation 
from the Naval Technical Training Center in November 1968, he was 
reassigned to the Naval Parachute Testing and Training Facility, 
Aircraft Maintenance Group, EI Centro, California.
  On December 30, 1969, Sergeant Young was reassigned to Early Warning 
Squadron, VAW 111, North Island, Naval Air Station, San Diego, 
California. While home on leave and prior to reporting to his new duty 
station, his orders were changed directing him to report to Travis Air 
Force Base, San Francisco no later than mid-night on January 1, 1970 
for reassignment to VAW 111, Early Warning Squadron on board the 
aircraft carrier CVA 43, the USS Coral Sea in the South China Sea in 
support of combat operations in the Republic of Viet Nam.
  On February 27, 1971, Sergeant Young was released from active duty 
with the U.S. Navy, and had attained the rank of Petty Officer Third 
Class. After finishing his college education in 1975, he took a 
managerial position with a large drugstore chain.
  On March 29, 1978, Sergeant Young joined the 174th Fighter Wing's 
Communication's Flight as a traditional guardsman, and in 1979 he 
accepted a full time position, as an aircraft electronic technician 
with the 174th Fighter Wing, a position he held until 1985, when he 
accepted a position with the Defense Contract Management Agency, 
working as Quality Assurance Representative, from which he will retire 
in June of 2005.
  The 174th Fighter Wing was called to active duty on December 29, 
1990, and deployed to Al Kharj Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in 
support of Operation DESERT SHIELD and Operation DESERT STORM on 
January 2, 1991. During that time Sergeant Young supported the unit 
from home station in Syracuse, New York during the unit's deployment. 
Sergeant Young has deployed with 174th Fighter Wing numerous times, 
to Germany in support of Cold War operational training exercises. He 
also deployed with the 174th Fighter Wing in support of Operation 
Southern Watch in March 2000 and again in August 2001, in support of 
United Nations contingency operations against Iraq. After the September 
11th terrorist attacks, he performed active duty supporting Combat Air 
Patrol sorties over New York City in support of Operation Noble Eagle. 
On October 16, 2003, Sergeant Young volunteered for his third Air 
Expeditionary Force deployment this time in support of the Global War 
on Terrorism. While deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Emirate of Qatar, he 
was attached to the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Operations 
Squadron, from October 17, 2003 to December 5, 2003, in support of 
combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan during Operation Enduring 
Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

  Sergeant Young has 31 years of combined military service, 4 years of 
active duty with the U.S. Navy and the remainder with the New York Air 
National Guard. He holds an Associate of Science Degree in Accounting 
and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.
  His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal; Air 
Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster. He holds the Air 
Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat ``V'' device and five oak leaf 
clusters; Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation; Navy Good Conduct Medal; 
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, with eight oak leaf 
clusters. His military campaign and service awards include the National 
Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars; Vietnam Service 
Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on 
Terrorism Service Medal; Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with 
gold combat frame; and the Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon, with six 
oak leaf clusters; He also holds the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 
silver hourglass device, mobilization ``M'' device, and numeral 4; and 
the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.
  His New York State awards and decorations include the New York State 
Long and Faithful Service Award, with gold shield device; New York 
State Defense of Liberty Medal; New York State Exercise Support Ribbon, 
with two ``E'' devices.
  Without question Mr. Speaker, Sergeant Young is a very special 
person. He willingly served his nation, exuding loyalty and pride. For 
his unrelenting service in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and the Air 
National Guard, Sergeant Young can retire knowing he has earned such a 
status. I would like to wish him well in his retirement years, as he 
will now be able to spend more free time with his wife Kristina, and 
two sons, Sean and Jason. Thank you Sergeant Young for all your years 
of hard work and dedication.

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