Brig. Gen. James Eddy Young, 97, died Sunday February 11, 2018 at his home in Howell, NJ. Born in Passaic to Frederick H. and Elizabeth Young, James grew up in Nutley, NJ and graduated from Nutley High School in 1939. He lived in Wall Twp. for 47 years before moving to Howell 12 years ago.

He received his pilot rating and commission as Second Lieutenant in 1942 and subsequently served in the American Theater of Operations, the Antisubmarine Command, 2nd AF, and 15th AF in Italy flying combat missions to the European heartlands and the Balkans including the Ploesti Oil Fields. Reassigned to 8th AF, he took part in the Normandy Invasion and European Offensive Campaigns.

General Young was the first officer Air Technician in New Jersey, appointed in December 1946. He served in various maintenance and operation positions, assuming command of the 170th Military Airlift Group from 1967-1979. In April 1979, he was promoted to Brigadier General and assigned as the Asst. Adjutant General for Air, NJDOD, McGuire AFB. He was recalled to active duty for the Korean Conflict, 1951-1952; the Berlin Crisis, 1961-62; also participated as aircraft commander in many flights involving the Southeast Asia and European supply requirements.

Among his many service honors, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal w/4 Oak Leaf Clusters. He was presented the French Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in 2014 and was inducted into the NJ Aviation Hall of Fame in 2015.

He was a member of The Church of St. Uriel the Archangel and Church of the Holy Trinity. He was a long-time member of the Chorus of the Atlantic and the Air Force Assoc. Jim always looked forward to his monthly lunches with the Nestors and the “Over the Hill Gang” and time at the Jersey Shore with family and friends.

James was predeceased by his beloved wife of 60 years, Margaret, in 2011, his brothers Frederick Norton and Andrew Philip. Surviving are his children: Carolyn Elizabeth of Howell and Ashland, OH, William Morrison of Riverside, RI and Cynthia Margaret of Alexandria, VA, and a granddaughter Livia Caroline of Barrington, RI.

Visiting will be Thursday, from 2-5 and 7-9 PM at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, 12noon at Church of St. Uriel the Archangel, Sea Girt. Marge and Jim will be interred at a later date at the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery. For more information please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Gen. Young’s name to Holy Trinity, P.O. Box 317 Spring Lake, NJ 07762; Church of St. Uriel the Archangel, 219 Philadelphia Blvd., Sea Girt, NJ 08750; or a charity or organization that reflects his life.

Brig. Gen. James E. and Mrs. Margaret I. Young
Brigadier General James E. Young (November 15, 1920-February 11, 2018) will be inurned with military honors, along with his wife, Margaret I. Young (September 9, 1925-April 21, 2011) on Friday, April 20, 2018, at 2 P.M., at Brigadier Gen. William C. Doyle Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, 350 Provinceline Road, Wrightstown, NJ, 08562. (Please arrive at the Cemetery staging area at 1:30 P.M.).