William Knowlton graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of January 1943. He returned to the Academy from 1970 to 1974 to serve as Superintendent of the Academy, and retired in 1980 as a U.S. Army General.
Sponsored by:
William
Allen
Knowlton
1920-06-19
–
2008-08-10
Born:
Weston
,
Massachusetts
Home:
Boston
,
Massachusetts
Buried:
Arlington
,
Virginia
Cemetery:
Arlington National Cemetery
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
9th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
May 31 – June 4, 1968
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 4568 (June 12, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Brigadier General William Allen Knowlton (ASN: 0-25436), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as Assistant Commanding General, 9th Infantry Division. General Knowlton distinguished himself by a series of exceptionally valorous acts during the period 31 May 1968 through 4 June 1968. While flying over an area of contact, General Knowlton was most effective in assisting the ground commanders in orientation and in a penetrating analysis of the enemy situation. General Knowlton remained over the contact in spite of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. At first light, General Knowlton landed in the area of the night long flight, disregarding the enemy snipers that remained active in the area. With his subordinate commanders, he organized a relentless pursuit that resulted in the eventual surrounding of the enemy. On the last day of the battle, General Knowlton landed in the mud of the rice paddy that marked the point of heaviest fighting to talk with the commanders and inspire the weary but victorious troops. The battles resulted in the destruction of two Viet Cong battalions and the severe mauling of a third. General Knowlton’s heroism in close combat against a Viet Cong force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
9th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
May 13, 1968
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 3457 (May 18, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Brigadier General William Allen Knowlton (ASN: 0-25436), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight, as evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. General Knowlton distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on the morning of 13 May 1968, while serving as the Division Commander’s representative at the 9th Infantry Division Forward Command Post in the Mekong Delta region, Vietnam. Flying west of Cai Lay toward My Thuan on a periodic check of the strategically important Highway 4 during a time of increased Viet Cong activities, General Knowlton detected craters and roadblocks on the road stalling traffic. Knowing the urgency of keeping this vital line of communications open, General Knowlton braved the strong possibility of enemy attack against his aircraft and directed his pilot to fly low enough for detailed evaluations. He then observed several Vietnamese civilians crouching near the roadblocks in an effort to escape enemy weapons fire. Realizing the gravity of the situation, General Knowlton disregarded his own safety and directed the pilot to take the helicopter down to a dangerously low altitude, where he personally directed the suppressive fire of both door gunners. General Knowlton continued his suppressive fire until the arrival of friendly soldiers. Through General Knowlton’s courageous actions, the pinned down civilians were able to move to secure positions and the enemy force was neutralized, thereby preventing their interdiction of Highway 4. Brigadier General Knowlton’s outstanding initiative and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
United States Military Academy Register of GraduatesThe President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Major General William Allen Knowlton (ASN: 0-25436), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Secretary of the General Staff, Office of the Chief of Staff, United States Army, during the period July 1968 to March 1970. Throughout this period of extremely dedicated and loyal service, he displayed outstanding initiative, great intellectual capacity, and unique organizational and managerial ability in coordinating all the activities of the Office of the Chief of Staff, and assisting the Vice Chief of Staff in managing and coordinating Army Staff activities. He was both a dynamic and incisive leader, and concurrently a brilliant and accomplished staff officer in matters of extreme sensitivity. His keen insight into national and international affairs assured that balance, comprehensive coverage, and proper perspective characterized the efforts of the Staff. In response to innumerable direct requests and official requirements, he voluntarily committed himself to an extensive personal speaking program. He actively sought out challenging, sometimes unfriendly audiences, in order to provide them with the Army’s perspective on vital issues. The sound logic and clear articulation exhibited by him during all public appearances have been of inestimable value to the Army and the nation by implanting knowledge and confidence in the minds of many who are sincerely concerned with the national interests. General Knowlton’s notable accomplishments and outstanding performance of important duties are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
9th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
March 24, 1968
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 1770 (March 28, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Brigadier General William Allen Knowlton (ASN: 0-25436), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as Assistant Commanding General, 9th Infantry Division. General Knowlton distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 March 1968, at a fire support base near Highway 4 in Din Tuong Province, planning an operation with the brigade and battalion commanders concerned. Suddenly, without warning, the base came under heavy automatic weapons fire from a Viet Cong force concealed in a wood-line barely 200 meters away. Three soldiers directly in front of General Knowlton were hit by the opening burst and a fierce fire fight began. General Knowlton, with complete disregard for his own safety, immediately moved to a position from which he could better observe and evaluate the action. The confident composure General Knowlton displayed throughout the fire fight was a tremendous inspiration to the men. Upon observing that his helicopter and crew were in an exposed position, General Knowlton ordered it to go airborne immediately while he voluntarily remained at the scene of the action. When the enemy fire was suppressed to the extent he deemed safe, General Knowlton directed his command helicopter to land beside his position, calmly loaded the most seriously wounded aboard and personally performed the medical evacuation. As soon as he could return to the scene from the nearest possible receiving station, General Knowlton began an aerial assessment of the continuing situation. He observed that several civilian homes had been set afire during the hotly contested action and immediately formulated a plan to insure that the local populace were fully aware of the Viet Cong’s culpability in the matter. Brigadier General Knowlton’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against a Viet Cong force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division and the United States Army.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
United States Military Academy Register of GraduatesUnder the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General William Allen Knowlton (ASN: 0-25436), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as United States Representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Military Committee, during the period August 1977 through June 1980. General Knowlton was responsible directly to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, for all matters pertaining to the highest military authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. General Knowlton’s tenure was during a time involving North Atlantic Treaty Organization acceptance of the Long Term Defense Program, nuclear modernization, and increased efforts to meet he challenge of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. His knowledge of United States policies and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization contributed significantly to the achievement of United States objectives in the formulation of North Atlantic Treaty Organization military policy. General Knowlton repeatedly displayed an extremely adept sense of timing which, coupled with his tactful and diplomatic approach, resulted in achieving results favorable to the United States. General Knowlton’s distinctive accomplishments culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
9th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
August 1966 – June 1968
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 50 (September 26, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General William A. Knowlton (ASN: 0-25436), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, during the period from August 1966 through June 1968.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Cavalry)Batallion:
87th Cavalry Reconnaissance SquadronDivision:
7th Armored DivisionAction Date:
May 2, 1945
Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 67 (May 11, 1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Cavalry) William Allen Knowlton (ASN: 0-25436), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Troop B, 87th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Armored Division, in action on 2 May 1945, in the area between ****** and ******, Germany. Lieutenant Knowlton was given the hazardous mission of passing through American lines in the vicinity of ****** and advancing through enemy troops for the purpose of making contact with the Russian forces known to be moving west on ******. Lieutenant Knowlton’s force, consisting only of a reconnaissance troop, advanced rapidly through enemy columns retreating westward and upon reaching ****** he assumed command of the city and all troops in the vicinity. This assumption of command was effected despite the hostile attitude of the local German commander and although enemy SS troops in the town numbered many thousands. Acting without hesitation, Lieutenant Knowlton forcefully ordered and brought about the surrender of several German army units complete with personnel and equipment. Notwithstanding a hostile attitude adopted by some German troops in the vicinity of ******, Lieutenant Knowlton achieved complete control within the city and it was possible for him to continue with his mission of making contact with approaching Russian forces. During this entire mission he moved through the enemy lines with but one platoon for security and except for intermittent artillery fire he was enabled to pierce the enemy positions virtually unopposed. Through this entire action Lieutenant Knowlton displayed excellent judgment, vigor and gallantry in accomplishing a difficult mission under conditions fraught with hazard. His conduct reflects great credit upon himself and is worthy of emulation.
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Legion of Merit
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General William Allen Knowlton (ASN: 0-25436), United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 1965 to 1966.