Carl A. Youngdale

Carl Albert Youngdale (June 23, 1912 – March 8, 1993) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. As an artillery officer, he took part in the three major conflicts of the 20th century and completed his 36 years career as commanding general of Camp Lejeune.

Early career Youngdale was born on June 23, 1912, in Gowrie, Iowa, and attended the consolidated high school in near Harcourt, Iowa. He then attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, and graduated in June 1936 with a Bachelor of Science degree. While at University, Youngdale was a member of Reserve Officers' Training Corps unit and trained as a field artillery officer. He resigned his commission in order to accept an appointment as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on July 10, 1936.

Saipan and Tinian Lieutenant Colonel Youngdale landed under heavy enemy fire on late June 15, 1944 on Blue Beach 2 and formed a small group consisted from battalion reconnaissance party, which landed earlier that day. He led his group to the outskirts of village Chalan Kanoa and deployed battalion command post there. Youngdale regrouped the battalion and although not completely dug in, 4th battalion began shooting that evening. His unit later provided support fire during the attack on Aslito Airfield and helped repelled several Japanese counterattacks.

Iwo Jima After almost six months of training and preparation for future combat deployment on Maui, 4th Marine Division sailed back to the Pacific area for the Battle of Iwo Jima at the beginning of January 1945. Youngdale led reconnaissance party ashore on February 19, 1945, but his advance was halted by heavy artillery and mortars which continued to place heavy concentrations on the party when it hit the beach. He exposed himself to the intense and accurate fire and subsequently reorganized and dispersed his group in order to present smaller targets to the enemy and, although several of his men sustained wounds, undoubtedly saved several lives by his action. Crawling forward in the face of machine-gun fire, he located a position with a better defilade, returned to the original location and led his men forward. He then made a reconnaissance of the designated Battalion position area through heavy mine fields to determine the locations for his firing batteries.

When the commander 3rd Battalion, Lt.Col. Robert E. MacFarlane, was hit by enemy fire on February 23, Youngdale was appointed temporary commander of that battalion. He remained in that capacity until March 10 of that year and subsequently resumed his duties with 4th Battalion. For his service on Iwo Jima, Youngdale was decorated with the Silver Star for bravery.

At the beginning of January 1951, Youngdale led his regiment to the vicinity of Pohang and coordinated the support fire for 1st Marine Division units during the blocking of communists attacks. The 11th Marines later took part in the fighting around Andong and Yongdok and this action continued until mid-February. Youngdale later commanded his regiment during Wonju campaign. He was succeeded by Joseph L. Winecoff at the beginning of March 1951 and also received his second Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for his service as regimental commander.

With the worsening situation in South Vietnam, Youngdale was transferred to Saigon, South Vietnam, and appointed assistant chief of staff for intelligence within Military Assistance Command, Vietnam under General William Westmoreland. Youngdale's presence on the Westmoreland's staff ensured a Marine voice in U.S. military planning at the Saigon level. He served in that capacity until the end of July 1965 and was promoted to the rank of major general at the same time. Youngdale was also decorated with Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his staff work.

Upon his return to the United States, Youngdale was appointed deputy chief of staff for administration at Headquarters Marine Corps. He then served as inspector general of the Marine Corps from August 1966 until May 1968 and received his fourth Legion of Merit for his service during this period.

In mid-August 1968, Viet Cong (VC) began attacking forward Combined Action Platoons and Youngdale quickly recognized this as the 3rd phase of the Tet Offensive and ordered the reinforcing of the sectors which appeared to be most in danger. He subsequently launched the Operation Sussex Bay, which blocked the withdrawal of VC forces from Da Nang area.

Youngdale then assumed duties as deputy commander of Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic under Lieutenant General Frederick E. Leek and spent next two years at the headquarters at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. He received his fifth Legion of Merit for his service in this capacity.

His final assignment was the commanding general of Camp Lejeune from June 1971, when he was responsible for the amphibious training of Marine units on the east coast. Youngdale retired from the Marine Corps on June 30, 1972, after 36 years of active service and received his sixth Legion of Merit during the retirement ceremony.

Decorations

A complete list of the general's medals and decorations include: