Cassin Young, USN
| Born | 6 Mar 1894 | Washington, District of Columbia, District Of Columbia, USA | |
| Died | 13 Nov 1942 | (48) | USS San Francisco (CA-38) |
 Cdr. Cassin Young, USN | Ranks
Decorations
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Warship Commands listed for Cassin Young, USN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| USS Vestal (AR 4) | Cdr. | Repair ship | 10 Oct 1941 | 19 Jan 1942 |
| USS San Francisco (CA 38) | Cdr. | 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 necessitated 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 endeavoured to clear the round, the USS Arizona was hit with a bomb, exploding her powder magazine.
The repair ship eventually steamed up & managed to pull away from the burning USS Arizona, thanks largely to the captain, 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). (1)
Heavy cruiser USS San Francisco (CA 38)
13 Nov 1942
USS San Francisco took part in point-blank range night First Battle of Guadalcanal. She participated in damaging Japanese battleship Hiei and also hit USS Atlanta several times ("friendly fire").
San Francisco took heavy damage during this battle. She received 45 shells (14 in., 6 in., 5,5 in. and 5 in. calibres) and numerous splinter hits.
No damage was taken below the water line, however some of the compartments were flooded. One of the splinters hit the magazine sprinkling switchboard causing short circuit and in consequence complete flooding of 8 in. turret II magazines and handling room. Several other rooms (including one of 5 in. ammunition magazines) were partially flooded due to splashing water pouring through holes made by shells.
Electric circuits were seriously damaged - severed in many places which caused cutting power to forward and after superstructure. Control of the ship was few times lost and regained again. Electrical control of the 8 in. turret II was rendered inoperative by flooding of magazines. However, power generators remained intact.
Starboard and port side secondary batteries (5 in.) were put out of commission almost entirely. Guns No. 3, 4 and 5 were hit by shells. Guns No. 1, 2, 6 and 7 became inoperable due to heavy casualties of their crews (caused by fragments). Only No. 8 remained operational (odd numbers refer to starboard even to port side cannons).
22 separate fires were started, but all of them were quickly extinguished by the crew.
Machinery of the ship remained intact, however some of the ventilators were damaged, which caused considerable heat in the after engine room. It was kept in operation by frequent changes of the watch and brief inspections of gauges.
All exterior communication measures were put out of commission (radio, lights, signal flags). Compasses were also destroyed.
Crew suffered 189 casualties (77 KIA, 105 WIA, 7 MIA). Among the dead were Rear Admiral Callaghan, his staff and Captain Young. Damage control officer Lieutnant Commander Herbert Emery Schonland assumed command as senior surviving officer while the injured communication officer Lieutenant Commander Bruce McCandless conned the ship. The former ordered the latter to continue the conning while Schonland himself resumed the work of maintaining the stability
of the ship and conducting repairs. McCandless continued engaging the enemy and successfully
retreated from battle. Both of them (and Rear Admiral Callaghan) were awarded Congressional Medal of Honor.
Main source: U. S. S. San Francisco gunfire damage. Battle of Guadalcanal November 13, 1942 National Archives & Records Administration, Pacific Region, San Francisco Record Group 181, Pearl Harbor Navy Yard General Correspondence Files, 1941-45
Declass NDD 868129. (1)
Sources
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