JONESBORO, GA, USA U.S. Army MSG, COMPANY B, 1ST BATTALION, 7TH SPECIAL FORCES GROUP, FORT BRAGG, NC KAJAKI SOFLA, AFGHANISTAN 07/13/2008
Master Sergeant Young entered the Army as an Infrantryman in 1991. He served with the 27th Infantry Regiment at Fort Ord, CA, the 502d Infantry Regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and in Germany with the 4th Infantry Regiment. His Special Forces experience began in 1999. Spanning across his service time, Master Sergeant Young served in various troop leader positions including service as a Team Sergeant for the Army’s Tactical Review Board, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He had been a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha-Team Sergeant with his current unit since 2007.
Master Sergeant Mitchell Young, a native of Jonesboro, Georgia died on July 13, 2008 of wounds sustained when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His unit was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom combat operations in Kajaki Sofla, in eastern Helmand province, Afghanistan. The unit was part of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, Afghanistan. This was Master Sergeant Young’s fourth Afghanistan deployment.
Master Sergeant Young’s military education included; the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Jumpmaster Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Air Assault Course, Warrior Leaders Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.. Among his awards and decorations are two Bronze Star Medals, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals.
Mitch was honored with a Final Ride tribute executed by his Special Forces Association comrades. Over 100 riders rode to salute him, with his son-in-law riding Mitch’s bike proudly flying both the US Flag and his team guidon for ODA 7126. Mitch’s wife rode with one of his former teammates. Riders escorted Master Sergeant Young, his family and friends from Charlie Mike’s Pub through Fayetteville, NC to the Special Forces Association (SFA) Compound where honors were rendered to Master Sergeant Mitch Young.