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JOHN GREY YOUNG was born 7 Oct 1927
in Sumter County, SC. John’s parents, John
Rockwell and Gertrude Cloaniger Young,
taught John the value of hard work by having
him assist with the family produce and grocery
business. John valued the work ethic he
acquired as a youth as he met the challenges
of academics and active duty in the Army.
Subsequent to his graduation from Edmunds
High School in Sumter, John attended
Clemson University before volunteering for
the Army. Soon thereafter, John completed
Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, GA,
and traveled to Europe, where he served in the
World War II Army of German Occupation.
Upon resigning as a first lieutenant, John
received an appointment to USMA, entering
the Academy on 5 Jul 1950. Slightly older
than most of his classmates and having had
active duty experience, John was the recipient
of many questions from his classmates. John
successfully navigated the academic challenges
of West Point with ample time to engage in
extracurricular and social activities. A popular
member of his class, John was grateful for the
friendships he established at West Point and
the education he received. He maintained a
lifelong pride in USMA and participated actively
in alumni activities and reunions for as
long as his health allowed.
With many of his classmates, John was
stationed at Ft. Benning, GA, where he attended
the Infantry Officer Basic Course
and Airborne and Ranger training. Later in
his career, John attended flight school and
became an Army aviator. In 1962, John expanded
his skills further by earning his Master
of Industrial Management Degree from
the University of Tennessee. He also graduated
from the Command and General Staff
College, Ft. Leavenworth, KS, in 1967.
In addition to his earlier overseas duty
in Germany, John served three more overseas
assignments, receiving associated service
and campaign medals. The earliest included
duty along the Demilitarized Zone in Korea.
Subsequent to his studies at the University of
Tennessee, John was assigned to the U.S. Army,
Europe. There, while John was the Officer of
the Day at Headquarters, V Corps, President
Kennedy ordered the Naval Blockade of Cuba
to prevent the installation of Soviet missiles.
The elevated level of adrenaline associated with
the Cuban Missile Crisis was matched later
while serving as commander of a helicopter
company in South Viet Nam in 1965. For his
demonstration of leadership in leading less experienced
pilots on hazardous missions, John
was awarded the Bronze Star and Air Medals.
Upon returning to the United States, John became
the project manager for the Cheyenne
Helicopter Project in St. Louis, MO.
In 1970, with the rank of lieutenant colonel,
John retired from the Army and returned
home to his beloved South Carolina. Typical
of John’s military service, John aggressively
moved into a business career. His civilian jobs
included general manager of X.O. Bunch’s
KOA Campground, Carolina Low Country
Tours, Plantation Acres Mobile Home Park,
and Stow-away Mini Warehouses of Goose
Creek. In 1994, after 24 years, he retired a
second time.
John met, courted, and married Sharon,
who became his soul mate and partner in life.
John was devoted to Sharon and the six children
and 17 grandchildren of their blended
family. John loved a good time and was center
stage at family gatherings that included his
numerous siblings, nieces, and nephews, all of
whom lived in South Carolina. When John
and Sharon arrived at family gatherings, the
shout arose “John Grey is here; John Grey is
here!” and the tempo of activities then moved
into high gear.
John participated in many organizations in
the Charleston community. He was an active
member of the Kiwanis Club of Charleston,
The Retired Officer’s Association, West
Point Society of Charleston, Westmoreland
Chapter of the Military Order of World
Wars, and the Washington Light Infantry.
John was a member of the Peace Presbyterian
Church in Goose Creek, SC, the Men of
Peace and a Stephen’s Minister.
In the mid-1990s, John’s health began
to deteriorate, and his valiant battle against
cardiovascular disease began. Sharon became
John’s caregiver, nurturing and encouraging
him. Wanting to maintain an active life,
John, with the help of Sharon and his motorized
wheel chair, launched a campaign against
smoking. He spent time mentoring young
children on the dangers and consequences
of smoking and presenting testimonial programs
in schools and churches using his own
impaired health as a powerful, vivid example.
With support from his cardiologist, John and
Sharon embarked on a cruise to Alaska. They
spent two marvelous weeks on the cruise
ship and an additional week on a land tour
of Alaska. In 1999, John and Sharon participated
in the 45th Reunion of the Class of
1954. Despite the difficult wheelchair access
to some of the venues where reunion activities
occurred, Sharon insured John attended
all events. While failing health prevented John
and Sharon from attending the 50th reunion,
they played a key role in staging and participating
in a Company K-1 mini-reunion in
Charleston in April 2005. The mini-reunion
was a source of great pleasure for the Youngs
and their K-1 friends.
John was raised as a Christian, and in the last five years of his life he
renewed a devout practice of his faith. When John’s illness confined him to his
home with sporadic periods in the hospital, he requested and received Holy
Communion from his pastor at home. Shortly before his death, John told his
classmates in telephone conversations that he had made peace with his Maker and
was ready to be called home. Upon promotion to his highest duty station, John
was certainly greeted in Heaven with shouts of “Johnny’s here!”
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