Biography

Military Career - U.S. Navy

- Entered the Navy in June 1952

[John Young] was my direct superior when I served as FT3 on the USS Laws DD558 and he was Fire control officer. Though only an Ensign at the time, he was the most respected officer on the ship. When we sustained counter-battery fire and enemy rounds were striking the ship, it was John Young's leadership which kept us all cool and focused on returning that enemy fire.... which won the day. Needless to say I am proud to have served with him. I always tell my friends that I experienced first hand the meaning of the "right stuff". - Joseph LaMantia

- In June 1953, entered flight school where he trained in props, jets, and helicopters - was based at the Naval Basic Air Training Command, Pensacola, Florida.

- From June to December 1954, took a six month course at the Navy Advanced Training School, Corpus Christi, Texas

- After earning his wings, spent four years, from January 1955-1959, as a pilot in Fighter Squadron 103, where he flew F9 Cougars off the USS Coral Sea (CV-43) and Crusaders off the USS Forrestal (CVA-59).     USS Coral Sea decomissioned 7-1-93 [scrapped] - USS Forrestal decomissioned 9-11-93 [on hold as a memorial]

Crusaders

History of Ships and Navy/CVA-59 USS Forrestal (http://www.multied.com/navy/CVA59Forrestal.html) USS Forrestal Association (http://www.erols.com/routts/cv59alt.htm) USS Forrestal Museum (http://www.forrestal.org/) The Gunfighter's Site (F-8 Crusader page) (http://www.cloudnet.com/~djohnson/index.html)

Lt. Young is third from right on the bottom row.

on the Forrestal

"I remember John Young as a young LT.JG in charge of the Parachute Riggers and Survival Equipment Division. Just picture a WW1 Flying Ace in a leather Jacket and white scarf. He was the epitome of those swashbuckling aviators. He exuded confidence coupled with uncommon ability. When John Young volunteered for the test Facility at Patuxent River this assured his acceptance and enabled him to demonstrate these qualities on his way to bigger and better things with NASA." - Johnnie E Hickman, AECS RET (former shipmate aboard the Forrestal)

- Began U.S.Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, Maryland in February 1959, Class 23.

US Naval Test Pilot School
(http://www.nawcad.navy.mil/usntps/index.html)

Naval Air Test Center
(http://www.nawcad.navy.mil/usntps/history/index.html)

- In the Spring of 1962, Lt. Cdr. Young participated in Project High Jump where he set two time-to-climb world records in an F4H-1 Phantom II (BuAer No 149449) - the F4H-1 later became known as the F4-B.

record holders in Project High Jump

- February 21, 1962 - NAS Brunswick, Maine - 3000 meters (9843 feet) in 34.523 seconds.

Photo courtesy of Boeing

40 Years of the Phabulous Phantom II (http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/f4/index.htm)

- April 3, 1962 - Point Mugu, CA - 25,000 meters (82,021 feet) in 230.440 seconds.

- Last Navy duty before becoming an astronaut was as maintenance officer in Phantom Fighter Squadron 143, an all-weather fighter squadron, at Miramar, CA which he described as "the best job in the Navy".

Young with Ltcdr. Swank

- Formally recommended for promotion to captain by President Richard Nixon, June 9, 1970.

According to the New York Times (4-18-72), Nixon also asked about the possibility of promoting Young to admiral after the Apollo 16 mission, but the Navy was unwilling to consider three promotions in such a short time period.

"As you saw John was very happy. You know he made a perfect landing, and for a Navy pilot, that's hard to do." - Deke Slayton, after STS-1 landing