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'''Rodger Wilton Young''' (April 28, 1918 - July 31, 1943) was a private in the U.S. Army who was posthumously awarded the [[Medal of Honor]] for his actions in combat during [[World War II]].

'''Rodger Wilton Young''' (April 28, 1918 - July 31, 1943) was a private in the U.S. Army who was posthumously awarded the [[Medal of Honor]] for his actions in combat during [[World War II]].

== Early Life ==

== Early life ==

Rodger Young was born in Tiffin, Ohio<ref name="sandusky">[http://www.sandusky-county-scrapbook.net/Young/Biographical.htm Rodger W. Young biography]</ref> to Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Young. <ref name="sandusky"/> He had three brothers and one sister. <ref name="sandusky"/> As a teenager he enjoyed fishing and hunting<ref name="sandusky"/> and also tried to participate in [[american football|football]], [[basketball]], and [[baseball]]. Due to his small stature, his participation in these sports was limited. He persevered, and his determination ensured that he was put into a few basketball games.  However, he suffered a head injury in a game, resulting in dulled senses.  Thereafter, he struggled at high school because of his injury and eventually left school to help support his family instead.<ref name="young">[http://www.homeofheroes.com/profiles/profiles_young.html Young profile]</ref>

Rodger Young was born in Tiffin, Ohio<ref name="sandusky">[http://www.sandusky-county-scrapbook.net/Young/Biographical.htm Rodger W. Young biography]</ref> to Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Young.<ref name="sandusky"/> He had three brothers and one sister.<ref name="sandusky"/> As a teenager he enjoyed fishing and hunting<ref name="sandusky"/> and also tried to participate in [[american football|football]], [[basketball]], and [[baseball]]. Due to his small stature, his participation in these sports was limited. He persevered, and his determination ensured that he was put into a few basketball games.  However, he suffered a head injury in a game, resulting in dulled senses.  Thereafter, he struggled at high school because of his injury and eventually left school to help support his family instead.<ref name="young">[http://www.homeofheroes.com/profiles/profiles_young.html Young profile]</ref>

== Military Career ==

== Military career ==

In 1938 he joined the Ohio National Guard. At the time he joined, he was only 5'2" and weighed 125 pounds. He trained at Camp Shelby, [[Mississippi]] and Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, [[Pennsylvania]], where he served as an instructor of a rifle range, and won marksmanship medals. He was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant and was appointed a squad leader, all while hiding the severity of the effects from his high school head injury.

In 1938 he joined the Ohio National Guard. At the time he joined, he was only 5'2" and weighed 125 pounds. He trained at Camp Shelby, [[Mississippi]] and Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, [[Pennsylvania]], where he served as an instructor of a rifle range, and won marksmanship medals. He was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant and was appointed a squad leader, all while hiding the severity of the effects from his high school head injury.

March 31, 1945 was proclaimed "Rodger W. Young Day" in Ohio in honor of his great deeds and accomplishments.<ref>[http://www.sandusky-county-scrapbook.net/Young/Proclam.htm Proclamation]</ref>

March 31, 1945 was proclaimed "Rodger W. Young Day" in Ohio in honor of his great deeds and accomplishments.<ref>[http://www.sandusky-county-scrapbook.net/Young/Proclam.htm Proclamation]</ref>

"The Ballad of Rodger Young" was written by Frank Loesser and first performed in March, 1945. The words were based on his Medal of Honor citation and it went on to become one of the best-known songs of the war. <ref name="young"/>

"The Ballad of Rodger Young" was written by Frank Loesser and first performed in March, 1945. The words were based on his Medal of Honor citation and it went on to become one of the best-known songs of the war.<ref name="young"/>

The author Robert A. Heinlein mentioned Young in his 1949 short story, "The Long Watch", and Heinlein named a troop transport ship the ''TFCT Rodger Young'' in his Hugo-winning 1959 novel, ''Starship Troopers''. The name was also used in the 1997 movie adaptation.

The author Robert A. Heinlein mentioned Young in his 1949 short story, "The Long Watch", and Heinlein named a troop transport ship the ''TFCT Rodger Young'' in his Hugo-winning 1959 novel, ''Starship Troopers''. The name was also used in the 1997 movie adaptation.

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[[category:Ohio]]

[[Category:Ohio]]

[[category:World War II]]

[[Category:World War II]]

[[category:United States Heroes]]

[[Category:United States Heroes]]

[[Category:Medal of Honor recipients]]

[[Category:Medal of Honor recipients]]