Robert was born on the 4th of March, 1929, in Oroville, California, and like so many others, not much is known about his early life. However, his actions on the 9th of October, 1950, with Company E, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, earned him the Medal of Honor posthumously. The citation reads:

Pfc. Young distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. His company, spearheading a battalion drive deep in enemy territory, suddenly came under a devastating barrage of enemy mortar and automatic weapons crossfire which inflicted heavy casualties among his comrades and wounded him in the face and shoulder. Refusing to be evacuated, Pfc. Young remained in position and continued to fire at the enemy until wounded a second time. As he awaited first aid near the company command post the enemy attempted an enveloping movement. Disregarding medical treatment he took an exposed position and firing with deadly accuracy killed 5 of the enemy. During this action he was again hit by hostile fire which knocked him to the ground and destroyed his helmet. Later when supporting tanks moved forward, Pfc. Young, his wounds still unattended, directed tank fire which destroyed 3 enemy gun positions and enabled the company to advance. Wounded again by an enemy mortar burst, and while aiding several of his injured comrades, he demanded that all others be evacuated first. Throughout the course of this action the leadership and combative instinct displayed by Pfc. Young exerted a profound influence on the conduct of the company. His aggressive example affected the whole course of the action and was responsible for its success. Pfc. Young's dauntless courage and intrepidity reflect the highest credit upon himself and uphold the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army.

Robert's Medal of Honor was presented to his parents the following year on the 2nd of August because Robert Harley Young died at the age of 21 on the 5th of November, 1950. He was also posthumously promoted to Corporal and he is buried in the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California: section O, grave 8.