Private First Class Alton W. Knappenberger (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on February 1, 1944, near Cisterna di Littoria. His citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action involving actual conflict with the enemy, on 1 February 1944 near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy. When a heavy German counterattack was launched against his battalion, Pfc. Knappenberger crawled to an exposed knoll and went into position with his automatic rifle. An enemy machinegun 85 yards away opened fire, and bullets struck within 6 inches of him. Rising to a kneeling position, Pfc. Knappenberger opened fire on the hostile crew, knocked out the gun, killed 2 members of the crew, and wounded the third. While he fired at this hostile position, 2 Germans crawled to a point within 20 yards of the knoll and threw potato-masher grenades at him, but Pfc. Knappenberger killed them both with 1 burst from his automatic rifle. Later, a second machinegun opened fire upon his exposed position from a distance of 100 yards, and this weapon also was silenced by his well-aimed shots. Shortly thereafter, an enemy 20mm. antiaircraft gun directed fire at him, and again Pfc. Knappenberger returned fire to wound 1 member of the hostile crew. Under tank and artillery shellfire, with shells bursting within 15 yards of him, he held his precarious position and fired at all enemy infantrymen armed with machine pistols and machineguns which he could locate. When his ammunition supply became exhausted, he crawled 15 yards forward through steady machinegun fire, removed rifle clips from the belt of a casualty, returned to his position and resumed firing to repel an assaulting German platoon armed with automatic weapons. Finally, his ammunition supply being completely exhausted, he rejoined his company. Pfc. Knappenberger's intrepid action disrupted the enemy attack for over 2 hours.
Corporal Charles H. Knight (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on July 30, 1864, at Petersburg, Virginia. His citation reads:
In company with a sergeant, was the first to enter the exploded mine; was wounded but took several prisoners to the Federal lines.
First Lieutenant Jack L. Knight (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on February 2, 1945, near LoiKang, Burma. His citation reads:
He led his cavalry troop against heavy concentrations of enemy mortar, artillery, and small arms 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.
Flashback Friday
 |
| A baseball pic from back in the day... |
 |
| Growing up I played SS, 2B and 1B (and, if you must know, was an All-Star at each position)... by the time I got to high school, I was just playing 2B |
 |
| Granny at The Wife's Rehersal Party |
 |
| A pic of me back in my hippie days... |
 |
| What an outfit... but, hey, it looks good on you Sonny |
 |
| A pic of Mom and Dad's grandkids pre-Susie and Daniel... I'm pretty sure this was the last time their height order was the same as their age order |
 |
| My Senior pic - 1997 |
 |
| Sonny's Senior pic - 1988 |
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment