1923-2008: DR. CARL YOUNG JR.
Carl B. Young, Jr., born in Houston, Texas on January 21, 1923, began a long career in lifesaving in 1941 with the American Red Cross. Dr. Young trained thousands in first aid, swimming, lifesaving, and CPR. During World War II, Dr. Young served as a medic in Company “A” 312 Medical Battalion, 87th Infantry Division, 3rd U.S. Army in the European Theater.
Dr. Young received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education from the University of Houston in 1947 and a Masters of Public Health Education from the University of North Carolina in 1948. He was involved in Resuscitation Research in the Physiology Department, University of Texas Medical School in Galveston, Texas in 1949.
In 1954 he moved to Corpus Christi, Texas and served as the Director of First Aid and Water Safety for the Nueces County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Carl held a lifetime membership with the Harris County Emergency Corps and worked closely with the Houston Fire Department. He rendered first aid to the injured during the Texas City disaster where hundreds were injured and killed after several ships exploded. In 1958 Dr. Young authored Transportation of the Injured.
Dr. Young worked as Director of Health Education for the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Department of Public Health from December 1962 until retirement May 1987. He was in charge of community-wide health education, gathering of health statistics emergency medical service training and the supervision of the city’s ambulance ordinance. In 1963, Dr. Young began a volunteer service for the American Heart Association continuing his “hands on” training of thousands more in CPR. In addition, he helped to plan, organize, and teach the first statewide ambulance training course held at the Texas A&M Fire School in College Station.
In addition to his trademark “hands on” approach to training, Dr. Young wrote and had published three textbooks on Emergency Care and Transportation. He also developed emergency splints and rescue spine boards to handle the injured, and implemented new techniques for removing the injured from wrecked automobiles.
As Dallas, Houston and San Antonio Fire Departments started their EMS programs, Dr. Young trained the initial instructors. Later, he played a major role in the 10-year struggle for the formation of the Corpus Christi Fire Department EMS. Dr. Young was a past Member and Fellow of the Texas Public Health association. In 1965, he was presented one of their highest honors: the prestigious B.T. Bryant Memorial Award for Accident Prevention and Lifesaving. In 1988, he was inducted into the Texas EMS Hall of Fame, in honor of dedicated service to the Texas EMS as an instructor, supporter and Emergency Medical Technician. Then, in June 2000, Carl was presented with the prestigious Clara Barton Honor Award for meritorious volunteer service by the American Red Cross and, a sixty year Service Recognition pin.
Dr. Carl B. Young, Jr. passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at the age of 85.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl B. Young and Eleanor Hamilton Young of Houston, Texas and his brother, Will H. Young of Graham, Texas and sisters Eleanor A. Young of San Antonio Texas, Elizabeth Womack of Colorado, and Mary Louise Schmitt of Houston, Texas.
Carl is survived by his wife: Dolores G. Young of Corpus Christi, Texas; three sons, Carl Young III Frances and William T. Young Suzanne both of San Antonio, Texas and James A. Young of Corpus Christi, Texas; three grandchildren, Tiffany, Carl and Amber; two great grandchildren, Olivia and Leila; two brothers, Robert L. Young and John B. Young both of Houston, Texas.
Submitted to NEMSM July 2014 Suggested by J. Pozark