The founder of the annual ‘Iwo Jima Survivors Reunion’, held here in Wichita Falls, has died. Cy Young passed away on Sunday at age 97.Young was barely 25 when he and thousands of other GI’s fought in what would go down as the bloodiest battle of the Pacific Theatre.

The fight in the black volcanic sands of Iwo Jima leave nearly 7,000 dead and over 18,000 wounded between February 19 and March 26, 1945.Young, a retired coach, began the survivor’s reunion in 1991.

Funeral services for Young will be held Friday, March 31, at White Funeral Home at 1418 TX-59 in Bowie.Young’s burial will take place at the Bowie Cemetery at 1402 Matthews Street. Young will be laid to rest with full military honors.

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