Later changing to the Republican Party, he served in the United States House of Representatives for South Carolina's 6th congressional district from 1973 to 1975.

Not long after graduating, he joined the United States Army Air Forces and served as a fighter pilot in the Pacific during the last part of World War II.

In 1972, Young won the Republican primary nomination for South Carolina's 6th congressional district, in the state's northeast corner.

He expected to face 17-term Democratic incumbent John L. McMillan, the longest-serving congressman in South Carolina history, in the general election.

Young was the Republican candidate for Governor in 1978, but was soundly defeated by Democratic State Senator Richard Riley.