John Young (DD 973) - Naval Cruise Book

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USS JOHN YOUNG (DD-973) USS JOHN YOUNG is the eleventh SPRUANCE class destroyer and the ninth to join the Pacific Fleet. Designed and built by Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries, Pascagoula, Mississippi, JOHN YOUNG is a member of the first class of ships in the U.S. Navy to have gas turbine f ower. Four General Electric LM-2500 engines, marine versions of those used on DC- 10 and C5-A aircraft, drive the ship at speeds in excess of 30 knots. Tvwn controllable-reversible pitch propellers provide JOHN YOUNG viith a degree of maneuverability unique among warships her size (563 feet long and displacing 8000 tons). JOHN YOUNG is a multi-mission destroyer capable of operating independ- ently or in company with Amphibious or Carrier groups. Her primary mission is to operate offensively in an Antisubmarine Warfare role. JOHN YOUNG ' s sonar, the most advanced underwater detection and fire control system yet deve- loped, is fully integrated into a digital naval tactical data system, providing the ship with faster and more accurate processing of target information. Integration of the ship ' s digital gunfire control system into the NTDS provides quick reaction in the performance of the ship ' s mission areas of shore bomtiardment, surface warfare actions, and antiaircraft warfare. Ship ' s weapons include two MK 45 lightweight 5-inch guns, two triple-barrel MK 32 torpedo tubes, an anti-submarine rocket (ASROC) launcher. Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile System and NATO Seasparrow Anti-Aircraft missiles, and facilities for embarkation of antisubmarine helicopters. JOHN YOUNG is also fitted with the SLQ-32 Electronic Counter Measures system with SRBOC and two Vulcan-Phalanx Close-ln-Weapons Systems (CfWS). Crew comfo rt and habitability are also an integral part of JOHN YOUNG ' s design. Berthing compartments are spacious and the ship is equipped with amenities not usually found aboard destixiyers, including a crew ' s lounge, lits-ary, hobby shop, and gymnasium. The USS JOHN YOUNG (DD-973) is the third destroyer named in honor of Captain John Young, Continental Navy (c. 1740-1781), a gallant and daring officer who lost his life in the stioiggle for independence during the American Revolution. The coat of arms of USS JOHN YOUNG (DD-973) serves as a heraldic reminder of the ship ' s namesake. Captain John Young. The shield of the coat of amis is a tricolor design. The upper portion is per fess gules (scarlet) and the lower portion is independence blue. These are separated by a wavy bar in white. John Young was appointed in the Continental Navy from Philadelphia in 1 776 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 fledging American nation in their shuggle for independence. This is represented by the golden fleur-de-lis in the upper part of tiie shield. In August of 1 780, wtiile enroute from French Martinique to the United States aboard the 18 gun sloopof-war SARATOOGA, Captain Young captured four enemy vessels after a severe engagement with two of them at one time. This deed is symlxjlized by the wavy bar with four stars. On 20 March 1781, Captain Young ' s ship, the SARATOGA, sailing in the company of French and American ships, became separated in a storm and was never seen again. The loss at sea of Captain Young and his crew is symbolized by the anchor without cable. The tricolor design alludes to the national colors of both tiie United States and her Revolutionary War ally, France The mast with sail hoisted is symbolic of the Continental sloopof-war SARATOGA, Captain Young ' s last command. The coat of arms of the early American family Young is represented by the red rose on the sail. The ship ' s motto, Prends La Mer Avec Courage , meaning Set Sail witii Courage , serves as an inspiration for the men who serve aboard the USS JOHN YOUNG Coat of Arms Captain John Young Biography John Young began his seafaring career at an early age in the colonial merchant marine. A master mariner before the first shots of the revolution were fired, the Continental Congress honored him with a commissioning and the command of the sloop-of-war INDEPENDENCE. Captain Young ' s mission was the protection of American shipping in the West Indies, and the raiding of British merchantmen whenever and wherever the opportunity might arise. While in command of the INDEPENDENCE, Captain Young delivered important diplo- matic dispatches to the American delegation to France, headed by Doctor Benjamin Franklin, and participated in the first salute of recognition to the American flag fi-om a foreign power. Captain Young went on to command two other Continental Navy vessels, the IMPERTINENT and ttie SARATOGA In August of 1780, while enroute to home waters from the French colony of Martinique in the 18 gun sloop-of-war SARAT- OGA, Captain Young captured four enemy vessels after a close engagement with two of them simultaneously. Shortly after taking his nineteenth prize on March 20, 1781, Captain Young ' s career was suddenly cut short. While sailing in company with French and American ships, the SARATOGA became separated in a storm and was never seen again.