William McKnight

Infobox Military Person
name=William McKnight
born= birth date|1842|5|3
died= death date and age|1914|11|4|1842|5|3
placeofbirth=Ulster County, New York
placeofdeath=
placeofburial=


caption=Coxswain William McKnight
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America Union
branch= United States Navy Union Navy
serviceyears=
rank=Coxswain
commands=
unit=USS "Varuna"
battles=American Civil War *Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip
awards=Medal of Honor
laterwork=

William McKnight (1842 - 1914) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the American Civil War.

During the Civil War, William McKnight served in the U.S. Navy as a Coxswain. On 24 April 1862, as a gun captain on board USS "Varuna", he participated in combat against Confederate ships as the Federal fleet fought its way past the fortifications protecting the approaches to New Orleans, Louisiana. For his conduct during this event, Coxswain McKnight was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and Organization::Coxswain, U.S. Navy. Born: 1840 Ulster County, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863.

Citation::Captain of a gun on board the U.S.S. "Varuna" during the attacks on Forts Jackson and St. Philip and in action against the rebel ship "Morgan", 24 April 1862. During this action at extremely close range, while his ship was under furious fire and was twice rammed by the rebel ship "Morgan", McKnight remained steadfast at his gun throughout the thickest of the fight and was instrumental in inflicting damage on the enemy until the "Varuna", so badly damaged that she was forced to beach, was finally sunk.cite web
publisher = American Civil War website
title = McKNIGHT, WILLIAM , Civil War Medal of Honor recipient
date = 2007-11-08
url = http://americancivilwar.com/medal_of_honor6.html
accessdate = 2007-11-08]

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*

Notes

References

:NHC
*cite web
publisher = Naval Historical Center
title = US People - McKnight, William
work = Online Library
date = 2001-11-30
url = http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-m/w-mckngt.htm
accessdate = 2006-11-06
* [http://www.army.mil/cmh/html/moh/civwarmz.html Army Medal of Honor website M-Z] Center of Military History
*findagrave|8219008 Retrieved on 2007-09-10