Colonel James L. Young was commissioned and Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School 31 October 1952, class number 34. His first duty assignment was as Platoon Leader, 3d Battalion, 164th Infantry Regiment, 47th Division, Fort Rucker, Alabama. | His subsequent duty assignments include:  Communication Platoon Leader, 2d Battalion, 5 RCT; Company Commander, Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Division; XO, Company B, 522 Infantry Battalion, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Assistant Group, S-3, Headquarters 17th Field Artillery Group, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Company Commander, HHC, CCC, 4th Armored Division and Headquarters, 144th Signal Battalion; Company Commander, Troop Command, Southeastern Signal School; Plans and Operations Officer, J-6, United States Taiwan Defense Command; G-6, II Corps MACV; Battalion Commander, Headquarters 426th Signal Battalion, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and Headquarters 124 Signal Battalion, 4th Infantry Division; Division Chief, Communication Support Division, DA, Assistant Chief of Staff; Deputy Commanding Officer, Headquarters, 1st Signal Brigade; Brigade Commander and ACofS, J-6, Headquarters, 1st Signal Brigade, Eighth U..S Army United Nations. | Colonel Young's awards and decorations include: Vietnamese Gallantry Cross, Silver Star, Army Commendation Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Legion of Merit.