Savannah community says final goodbye to 101-year-old World War II veteran Howard Young

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Family, friends and fellow veterans gathered in Savannah to honor the life and legacy of World War II Navy veteran Howard Young. Young who died this month at the age of 101.

Young was laid to rest at Bonaventure Cemetery on Monday.

Born in Louisiana, Young volunteered to join the U.S. Navy at just 17 years old in the early 1940s. He later made Savannah his home, living in the city for nearly 50 years.

“Howard will always be remembered as one of the last World War II veterans in Chatham County—if not the last one," said Lance Fargo with the American Legion, a veterans organization in Savannah.

Fargo added that Young represented a generation of veterans who often kept their wartime experiences to themselves.

“We call them the silent breed, the silent generation. These gentlemen didn’t share what happened over there,” Fargo said. " But he was more happy to talk about his time after—his family, his friends, and spending time with fellow veterans.

In the years after his service, Young became a familiar face in the community. Friends say he spent much of his time volunteering at the VA clinic and a local senior center.

He was also known for his love of simple joys including Tootsie Rolls.

Young was laid to rest at Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah. Fargo added that Young he will be honored with an embroidered flag that will be displayed on Memorial Day and Veterans Day this year.