MSG (Ret) Laurence A. Young

MSG Young was born in Weymouth, MA on August 30, 1945 to his parents, Elwyn and Mae (Ambrose) Young. He passed from this life on August 6, 2009 in Bridgewater, MA. To his immediate family members and friends, he was known as 'Buzz,' but to his fellow Special Forces soldiers, he was known as 'Tiny,' and this moniker fit him perfectly.

He enlisted in the US Army on his 19th birthday (August 30, 1964). After completion of Basic, AIT and Basic Airborne, he was assigned to the 17th Cavalry, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC.

In 1965, he was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Republic of Vietnam. During the 1965 - 1966 time frame, the 5th Special Forces Group located in Nha Trang, Vietnam, was actively recruiting volunteers to fill vacancies within their ranks. MSG Young was one of those who volunteered for, was accepted, and transferred from the 173rd to the 5th Special Forces Group. Shortly after his assignment, he suffered a gunshot wound to his left shoulder and was medically evacuated back to the United States and assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, NC. In 1969, during his 2nd tour with the 5th Special Forces Group, Vietnam, and assigned to Detachment B-52, Project Delta, he was wounded a second time, was again medically evacuated to the United States and assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group. In mid-1970, he was selected to participate in the Son Tay Raid conducted in November 1970 into North Vietnam in an effort to recover U.S. Prisoners of War.

In 1975, he was selected for Drill Sergeant duty and reassigned to Fort Dix, NJ. In 1978, after completing a three year tour as a Drill Sergeant, he returned to the 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, NC. In 1981, he was assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group in Bad Toelz, Germany and in 1984, he returned to 1st Battalion 5th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, NC. On his 39th birthday, (August 30, 1984) MSG Young retired from the Army.

After retirement, he chose to return to his home of record in Weymouth, MA and remained there until he was selected for assignment to the ultimate Special Forces Operational Base on August 6, 2009.

His awards and decorations include: Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, HALO Badge, SCUBA Badge, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, and numerous other service medals, badges and citations.

MSG Young is survived by his daughter, Laurie Young, of Hope Mills, NC; a son, Andrew Young, of Weymouth, MA; and 2 grandsons, Steven Semco of Greenville, NC and Ryan Semco of Hope Mills, NC.

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