Jack L. Knight
Encyclopedia
Jack L. Knight was a United States Army
officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor
—for his actions in World War II
.
, and by February 2, 1945 was serving as a first lieutenant in the 124th Cavalry Regiment, Mars Task Force. On that day, near LoiKang, Burma, he single-handedly destroyed two Japan
ese pillboxes. Despite being wounded, he led his platoon in an attack on other enemy positions but was again wounded, this time fatally. For these actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor four months later, on June 25, 1945.
Knight, aged 27 at his death, was buried at the Holders Chapel Cemetery in Cool, Texas
.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
—for his actions in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Biography
Knight joined the Army from Weatherford, TexasWeatherford, Texas
Weatherford is a city in Parker County, Texas, United States, and a western suburb of Fort Worth. The population was 19,000 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Parker County and is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.-Geography:...
, and by February 2, 1945 was serving as a first lieutenant in the 124th Cavalry Regiment, Mars Task Force. On that day, near LoiKang, Burma, he single-handedly destroyed two Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese pillboxes. Despite being wounded, he led his platoon in an attack on other enemy positions but was again wounded, this time fatally. For these actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor four months later, on June 25, 1945.
Knight, aged 27 at his death, was buried at the Holders Chapel Cemetery in Cool, Texas
Cool, Texas
Cool is a town in Parker County, Texas, United States. The population was 162 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Cool is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
.
Medal of Honor citation
First Lieutenant Knight's official Medal of Honor citation reads:He led his cavalry troop against heavy concentrations of enemy mortarMortar (weapon)A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
, artilleryArtilleryOriginally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
, and small armsSmall armsSmall arms is a term of art used by armed forces to denote infantry weapons an individual soldier may carry. The description is usually limited to revolvers, pistols, submachine guns, carbines, assault rifles, battle rifles, multiple barrel firearms, sniper rifles, squad automatic weapons, light...
fire. After taking the troop's objective and while making preparations for a defense, he discovered a nest of Japanese pillboxes and foxholes to the right front. Preceding his men by at least 10 feet, he immediately led an attack. Single-handedly he knocked out 2 enemy pillboxes and killed the occupants of several foxholes. While attempting to knock out a third pillbox, he was struck and blinded by an enemy grenade. Although unable to see, he rallied his platoon and continued forward in the assault on the remaining pillboxes. Before the task was completed he fell mortally wounded. 1st Lt. Knight's gallantry and intrepidity were responsible for the successful elimination of most of the Jap positions and served as an inspiration to officers and men of his troop.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II