Robert D. Knapp
Encyclopedia
Robert Duane Knapp, Jr. was a Brigadier General
in the United States Air Force
and an aviation pioneer. He held United States pilot license #185 and led the first Allied
aerial attack on Rome
in World War II
. Knapp received a Silver Star
for leading an unescorted bombing raid on a fighter
-defended Axis convoy
in 1944.
Robert D. Knapp was born in Moreland
, Georgia
, but grew up in Auburn
, Alabama
. When Knapp was 10 years old, the Wright Brothers
stayed in his home for a short time while consulting with professors at nearby Alabama Polytechnic Institute
, an event which shaped Knapp's future career. After completing his studies at Auburn High School in 1917, Knapp applied for Army officer training, but was turned down due to his age. Instead, he was accepted as an aviation cadet
, receiving his wings
and being commissioned as a second lieutenant on March 9, 1918. Knapp went to the United Kingdom
with his unit, the 92d Aero Squadron (Bombardment), in August 1918, but failed to see action in World War I
due to a late shipment of propellers for his unit's Handley Page O/400
bombers.
After returning from Europe, Knapp was assigned to the 96th Aero Squadron, charged with aerially patrolling the US-Mexican border
after a Mexican cross-border raid on El Paso, Texas
in 1919. In 1921, Knapp was given command of Flight "A" of 12th Aero Squadron at Camp Stephen B. Little in Nogales, Arizona
, where for the next two years he patrolled the Arizona border. In 1923, he was transferred to Maxwell Field
in Montgomery, Alabama
for aerial mapping missions; while there, he flew the first air mail route between Montgomery and New Orleans, Louisiana
. After four years at Maxwell, Knapp was assigned to Kelly Field
in San Antonio, Texas
, where he was a flying instructor at the flight school. Having been promoted to commandant
of the Air Corps
Primary Flying School at nearby Brooks Field
in 1929, he was appointed commanding officer of the 44th Observation Squadron in the Panama
Canal Zone
in 1931. He later commanded the 7th Observation Squadron, also in Panama, before returning to Kelly Field in 1934 as Director of Flying Training.
Knapp in 1937 lead a 98-aircraft squadron of Advanced Flying School students on a cross-country tour to recruit ROTC
cadets into aviation. In 1938, he attended Air Corps Tactical School
and was an instructor for the 154th Observation Squadron of the Arkansas National Guard
. He became the executive officer of the 1st Bomber Command at Langley Field near Hampton, Virginia
in 1940.
After the United States entered World War II
in 1941, Knapp organized six bombardier groups, trained three of them, and took command of one, the 321st Bombardment Group
. The 321st was assigned to North Africa
, flying raids against Axis forces in B-25 Mitchell
bombers. In July 1943, Knapp's 321st launched the first full-scale US bombing raid on an Axis capital with Knapp flying the lead plane in an attack on Rome
. In 1944, Knapp led an attack—without fighter
escort—on an Axis shipping convoy that had fighter protection. For that attack, Knapp was awarded a Silver Star
. Later in 1944, Knapp was promoted to brigadier general
and given command of the 57th Bomb Wing, a position he held for the remainder of the war.
After the war, Knapp became chief of the US Air Force Mission to Argentina
. Knapp retired from the Air Force in 1953, and returned home to Auburn, Alabama. Knapp died in Alabama on April 25, 1994.
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
and an aviation pioneer. He held United States pilot license #185 and led the first Allied
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
aerial attack on Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
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...
. Knapp received a Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
for leading an unescorted bombing raid on a fighter
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
-defended Axis convoy
Convoy
A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support, though it may also be used in a non-military sense, for example when driving through remote areas.-Age of Sail:Naval...
in 1944.
Robert D. Knapp was born in Moreland
Moreland, Georgia
Moreland is a town in Coweta County, Georgia, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 393. Josh Evans is the Mayor.The author Erskine Caldwell was born in Moreland in 1903...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, but grew up in Auburn
Auburn, Alabama
Auburn is a city in Lee County, Alabama, United States. It is the largest city in eastern Alabama with a 2010 population of 53,380. It is a principal city of the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Area...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. When Knapp was 10 years old, the Wright Brothers
Wright brothers
The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur , were two Americans credited with inventing and building the world's first successful airplane and making the first controlled, powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight, on December 17, 1903...
stayed in his home for a short time while consulting with professors at nearby Alabama Polytechnic Institute
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
, an event which shaped Knapp's future career. After completing his studies at Auburn High School in 1917, Knapp applied for Army officer training, but was turned down due to his age. Instead, he was accepted as an aviation cadet
Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps
The Aviation Section, Signal Corps, was the military aviation service of the United States Army from 1914 to 1918, and a direct ancestor of the United States Air Force. It replaced and absorbed the Aeronautical Division, Signal Corps, and was succeeded briefly by the Division of Military...
, receiving his wings
Aircrew Badge
The Aircrew Badge, commonly known as Wings, is a qualification badge of the United States military that is awarded by all five branches of armed services to personnel who serve as crew members on board military aircraft. The badge is intended to recognize the training and qualifications required...
and being commissioned as a second lieutenant on March 9, 1918. Knapp went to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
with his unit, the 92d Aero Squadron (Bombardment), in August 1918, but failed to see action in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
due to a late shipment of propellers for his unit's Handley Page O/400
Handley Page Type O
The Handley Page Type O was an early biplane bomber used by Britain during the First World War. At the time, it was the largest aircraft that had been built in the UK and one of the largest in the world...
bombers.
After returning from Europe, Knapp was assigned to the 96th Aero Squadron, charged with aerially patrolling the US-Mexican border
United States–Mexico border
The United States–Mexico border is the international border between the United States and Mexico. It runs from Imperial Beach, California, and Tijuana, Baja California, in the west to Matamoros, Tamaulipas, and Brownsville, Texas, in the east, and traverses a variety of terrains, ranging from major...
after a Mexican cross-border raid on El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
in 1919. In 1921, Knapp was given command of Flight "A" of 12th Aero Squadron at Camp Stephen B. Little in Nogales, Arizona
Nogales, Arizona
Nogales is a city in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 21,017 at the 2010 census. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 20,833. The city is the county seat of Santa Cruz County....
, where for the next two years he patrolled the Arizona border. In 1923, he was transferred to Maxwell Field
Maxwell Field
Maxwell Field was the football stadium located behind the former location of Louisville Male High School, 911 S. Brook St., Louisville, Kentucky, 40203 which was bounded by the streets of Brook, Breckinridge, Floyd, and Caldwell streets in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1984 a double murder known locally...
in Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
for aerial mapping missions; while there, he flew the first air mail route between Montgomery and New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. After four years at Maxwell, Knapp was assigned to Kelly Field
Kelly Air Force Base
Kelly Field Annex and is a former United States Air Force facility located in San Antonio, Texas. In 2001, the runway and land west of the runway became "Kelly Field Annex" and control of it was transferred to the adjacent Lackland Air Force Base, part of Joint Base San Antonio...
in San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, where he was a flying instructor at the flight school. Having been promoted to commandant
Commandant
Commandant is a senior title often given to the officer in charge of a large training establishment or academy. This usage is common in anglophone nations...
of the Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
Primary Flying School at nearby Brooks Field
Brooks City-Base
Brooks City-Base was a United States Air Force facility located in San Antonio, Texas, southeast of Downtown San Antonio.In 2002 Brooks Air Force Base was renamed Brooks City-Base when the property was conveyed to the Brooks Development Authority as part of a unique project between local, state,...
in 1929, he was appointed commanding officer of the 44th Observation Squadron in the Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
Canal Zone
Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
in 1931. He later commanded the 7th Observation Squadron, also in Panama, before returning to Kelly Field in 1934 as Director of Flying Training.
Knapp in 1937 lead a 98-aircraft squadron of Advanced Flying School students on a cross-country tour to recruit ROTC
Reserve Officers' Training Corps
The Reserve Officers' Training Corps is a college-based, officer commissioning program, predominantly in the United States. It is designed as a college elective that focuses on leadership development, problem solving, strategic planning, and professional ethics.The U.S...
cadets into aviation. In 1938, he attended Air Corps Tactical School
Air Corps Tactical School
The Air Corps Tactical School, also known as ACTS and "the Tactical School", was a military professional development school for officers of the United States Army Air Service and United States Army Air Corps, the first such school in the world. Created in 1920 at Langley Field, Virginia, it...
and was an instructor for the 154th Observation Squadron of the Arkansas National Guard
Arkansas National Guard
The Arkansas National Guard comprises both Army and Air components. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. In fact, the National Guard is the only United States military force empowered to function in a state status...
. He became the executive officer of the 1st Bomber Command at Langley Field near Hampton, Virginia
Hampton, Virginia
Hampton is an independent city that is not part of any county in Southeast Virginia. Its population is 137,436. As one of the seven major cities that compose the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, it is on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula. Located on the Hampton Roads Beltway, it hosts...
in 1940.
After the United States entered 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...
in 1941, Knapp organized six bombardier groups, trained three of them, and took command of one, the 321st Bombardment Group
321st Air Expeditionary Wing
The 321st Air Expeditionary Wing is a provisional United States Air Force United States Air Forces Central unit. The unit was reestablished on 1 Nov 2008. The unit is a nexus of all Coalition Air Force Training Teams and the Iraqi Air Force....
. The 321st was assigned to North Africa
North African campaign
During the Second World War, the North African Campaign took place in North Africa from 10 June 1940 to 13 May 1943. It included campaigns fought in the Libyan and Egyptian deserts and in Morocco and Algeria and Tunisia .The campaign was fought between the Allies and Axis powers, many of whom had...
, flying raids against Axis forces in B-25 Mitchell
B-25 Mitchell
The North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was used by many Allied air forces, in every theater of World War II, as well as many other air forces after the war ended, and saw service across four decades.The B-25 was named...
bombers. In July 1943, Knapp's 321st launched the first full-scale US bombing raid on an Axis capital with Knapp flying the lead plane in an attack on Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. In 1944, Knapp led an attack—without fighter
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
escort—on an Axis shipping convoy that had fighter protection. For that attack, Knapp was awarded a Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
. Later in 1944, Knapp was promoted to brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
and given command of the 57th Bomb Wing, a position he held for the remainder of the war.
After the war, Knapp became chief of the US Air Force Mission to Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. Knapp retired from the Air Force in 1953, and returned home to Auburn, Alabama. Knapp died in Alabama on April 25, 1994.
External links
- Air University, Robert D. Knapp