Jack L. Knight

Infobox Military Person
name=Jack L. Knight
born=birth date|1917|5|29
died=death date and age|1945|2|2|1917|5|29
placeofbirth=Garner, Texas
placeofdeath=near LoiKang, Burma
placeofburial=


caption=
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch=United States Army
serviceyears=
rank=First Lieutenant
commands=
unit=124th Cavalry Regiment
battles=World War II
awards=Medal of Honor
relations=
laterwork=

Jack L. Knight (May 29, 1917 – February 2, 1945) 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.

Biography

Knight joined the Army from Weatherford, Texas, 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 Japanese 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.

Medal of Honor citation

First Lieutenant Knight's official Medal of Honor 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.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II

References

*findagrave|9772 Retrieved on 2008-01-22

*cite web
publisher = U.S. Army Center of Military History
title = Medal of Honor Recipients - World War II (G-L)
work = Medal of Honor Citations
date = July 16, 2007
url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-g-l.html
accessdate = 2008-01-22

Persondata
NAME= Knight, Jack L.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=