This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Sheila Rae Myers, HM3
to remember
Young, Merle Newcomer, CAPT.
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Contact Info
Home Town Watertown, SD
Date of Passing Dec 30, 1997
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Wall/Plot Coordinates 2-E 131-A-Ss
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
Captain Young grew up in what he descibed as a devoutly Christian home. Born in South Dakota, his father a printer - soon moved the family to Iowa and later to Nebraska. His father was a printer who didn't earn a lot money. The pay was described as meager.
A young Merle "ran away" from home because he wanted away from what he saw as the restrictions of his home life and spent a short time as a farm worker. There he atteneded a Methodist chruch meeting where he gave his life to God and decided to dedicate his life to serving God, which eventually led to the ministry. He attended college and was ordained to the Methodist ministry in 1935. He pastored five churches before he enlisted in the Navy.
Throughout his Naval service, Captain Young preached the Gospel, counselled his flock, and did as much as he could to uphold both the morals and morale of the people he led through his services. When he retired from the Navy, he returned to serving God in the civilian community.
Other Comments:
The information contained in this profile was compiled from various internet sources.
South Dakota Class Battleship: Displacement 35,000 Tons, Dimensions, 680' 10" (oa) x 108' 2" x 36' 2" (Max). Armament 9 x 16"/45, 20 x 5"/38AA, 12 x 1.1" 12 x 0.5", 3 AC. Armor, 12 1/4" Belt, 18" Turrets, 1 1/2" +6" +1/3" Decks, 15" Conning Tower. Machinery, 130,000 SHP; G.E. Geared Turbines, 4 screws. Speed, 27 Knots, Crew 1793.
Operational and Building Data: Laid down by Bethlehem Steel, Quincy, MA., July 20, 1939. Launched September 23, 1941. Commissioned May 12, 1942. Decommissioned March 2, 1947. Stricken June 1, 1962.
Fate: Preserved as Memorial, Fall River Massachusetts, June 8, 1965.
