Gordon L. Young
September 4, 1924 – July 2, 2015
Gordon Lee Young, 90, of Sioux City died Thursday, July 2, 2015, at Sunrise Assisted Living. Gordon was born on Sept. 4, 1924, in Academy, S.D., the son of Mervin and Veronica (Dreger) Young. He graduated from Yankton (S.D.) High School in 1943. Gordon continued his education at University of South Dakota, receiving a degree in accounting. He married Marcia Jensen on Jan. 27, 1947.
Gordon joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1945 and served as a pilot during World War II. He was called to active duty during the Korean and Vietnam wars. His awards and decorations included, among others, the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oakleaf cluster, a Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal with 12 oakleaf clusters. Gordon received the Presidential Unit Citation while commanding the 174th Fighter Squadron in Vietnam.
In 1968, Lt Col Gordon L. Young lead 129 airmen and 29 officers of the 174th with 22 F-100-Cs to Phu Cat AB, in Vietnam. The 174th included teachers, farmers, a local weather man, three father-son combinations and four brothers.
He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and the American Legion George Nelson Post 662 in Sergeant Bluff.
Gordon is survived by his son, Jim (Monica) Young of Sioux City; grandchildren, Eric (Sara) Young, Jaime (Tyler) Blessing, and Jonathan Young; great-grandchildren, Dane, Sawyer and Alana Young, and Emilee Blessing; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marcia on Sept. 4, 2013; brother, Max; and sister, Jane Borin.
Services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. Harold Werley officiating. Burial will be in Banner Township Cemetery, Lawton, Iowa.