John Young (DD 973) - Naval Cruise Book

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« c The coal of arms of USS JOHN YOUNG (DD 973) serves as a heraldic reminder of ihe ships namesake. Caplain John Young. The shield of ihe coal of arms is a Iricolor design The upper porlion is per fes» gules (scarlet) and ihe lower porlion is independence blue. These are separated by a wavy bar in while. John Young was appointed in the Continental Navy from Philadelphia in I 776 and received his Captain ' s commission in October of that year. During much of his period of service he was associated with France who was then helping the fledgling American nation in their struggle for independence This is represented by the golden fleur-de lis in the upper part of the shield. In August of I 780. while enroute from French Martinique to the United States aboard the 18 gun sloop of war SARATOGA. Caplain Young captured four enemy vessels after a severe engagement with two of them at one time This deed is symbolized by the wavy bar with four stars. On 20 March 1781. Captain Youngs ship, the SARATOGA, sailing in the compnay of French and American ships, became separated in a storm and was never seen again The loss at sea of Caplain Young and his crew is symbolized by the anchor without cable The Iricolor design alludes to the national colors of both Ihe United Stales and her Revolutionary War ally. France The mast with sail hoisted is symbolic of Ihe Continental sloopof war SARATOGA. Captain Youngs last command The coal of arms of Ihe early American family Young is represented b the red rose on the sail The ships motto. Prends La Mer Avec Courage , meaning Set Sail with Courage , serves as an inspiration for the men who serve aboard Ihe USS JOHN YOUNG

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COMMANDING OFFICER COMMANDER HENRY A. LEVIEN Commander Henry Allen Levien. born I June 1941. is the oldest of eight children born to Mrs. Gwendolyn M. Levien of Ferndale. Washington. He graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Sicence Degree in 1963. Following commissioning through Officer Candidate School (OCS) in April 1964. he served on the USS JACANA (MSC 193). USS LAWRENCE (DDG 9). USS HENRY B. WILSON (DDG 7) and USS FREDRICK (LST I 184). His sea duties have included First Lieutenant, Supply Officer. Mine Countermeasures Officer. Anti-Submarine Officer. Engineering Officer and Executive Officer billets. Additionally, he served with the Mine Warfare Detachment in Vietnam as Assistant Officer in Charge and with the Navy Recruiting Command Headquarters as Director. Research and Analysis Division. From September 1972 to March 1975 he was a student at the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey. California, where he earned a Master of Science Degree in Operations Research Systems Analysis. Commander Leviens decorations include the Bronze Star with Combat V. Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), the Presidential Unit Citation, and Navy Unit Citation. His interests include gardening, jogging, raquetball and family related activities. He is married to the former Camilla Carrol Gardner of Suffolk. Virginia, and they have four children: Peggy. 8: Alan. 6; Andy. 4; and Malt. I.