Cassin Young, USN
| Born | 6 Mar 1894 | Washington, D.C. | |
| Died | 13 Nov 1942 | (48) | USS San Francisco (CA-38) |
| Ranks
Decorations
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Warship Commands listed for Cassin Young, USN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| USS Evans (i) (DD 78) | Destroyer | mid 30's | ||
| USS Vestal (AR 4) | Cdr. | Repair ship | < Dec 41 | Feb 42 ? |
| USS San Francisco (CA 38) | Capt. | Heavy cruiser | 9 Nov 1942 | 13 Nov 1942 (+) |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Repair ship USS Vestal (AR 4)
7 Dec 1941
During the attack on Pearl Harbor, she was moored next to the battleship USS Arizona (BB-39) at Berth F-7 off Ford Island. At ca 0805 hours, shortly after the ship began it's anti aircraft fire, two bombs struck the vessel, possibly intended for the Arizona. One bomb struck the port side, penetrating three decks & exploded in a stores hold which neccessitated flooding the forward magazines. The second bomb struck the starboard side, passing through several of the ship's workshop spaces, & left an irregular hole, about 5' in diameter, in the bottom of the ship.
After three shots, the ship's 3" gun jammed, & while they endeavored to clear the round, the USS Arizona was hit with a bomb, exploding her powder magazine. Arizona was also hit by a torpedo that had passed under Vestal's stern. The resulting explosion blew everyone on deck overboard, including the captain.
The repair ship eventually steamed up & managed to pull away from the burning USS Arizona, thanks largely to the capitain, who'd re-boarded, & the ship's engineering staff, which managed to get the ship underway.
Eventually, the ship was grounded on Aiea Shoal due to the ship's unstable condition
The CO, Cmdr Cassin Young, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions aboard the Vestal that day.
Though damaged, she participated in the ensuing repair & rescue ops at Pearl Harbor, including sending crews to help pull men out of the USS Oklahoma (BB-37).
Heavy cruiser USS San Francisco (CA 38)
13 Nov 1942
USS San Francisco took part in First Battle of Guadalcanal. She was Admiral's Callaghan flagship. She damaged Japanese battleship Hiei, but was badly damaged too. She took 45 shells (15 of them were 365 mm shells). Admiral Callaghan and Captain Cassin Young were killed. Half of artillery was destroyed and most of compartments was flooded. Maps, radio and compasses were also destroyed. Lieutnant - Commander Herbert Emery Schonland assumed command as senior surviving officer while the injured Lieutenant Commander Bruce McCandless conned the ship and managed to retreat from the battle.