Jay Samuel Young was born on July 29, 1923, in Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, to Audrey Jay Young and Dorothy Keat. Jay was the eldest child of the family, with younger brother Vernon Young (1929) and sister Mary Jane Young (1936).

Jay was educated at Pen Argyl High School, graduating in 1941. Here, he was co-captain on the football team of his year, president of the Hi-Y Society, and winner of the Rensselaer Prize for mathematics and science. He was also an active scout.

After this, Jay went to work at Ingersoll-Rand Co. in Phillipsburg. In 1941, Jay enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was admitted and began his training as a pilot.

On July 7, 1944, Jay married his fiancée Irene Adele Kellow (1923-2007).

After completing his training, Jay was assigned to the 790th Bomb Squadron, 467th Bomb Group, which was stationed at RAF Rackheath in England. From here, Jay and his crew flew several missions against Germany.

During Jay's last mission, he managed to leave the aircraft in time. Jay was soon captured and taken to the hospital in Emmen, where he remained until the liberation of Emmen on April 11, 1945.

After the liberation, Jay returned to America. Here, he started working as a teacher. First in Freehold, New Jersey, and then for the Bangor Area School District. He worked as a teacher of industrial arts for 32 years until he retired in 1985.

Source of information: www.slodrenthe.nl

Source of photo: www.teunispats.nl