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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Armor) Harold F. Knapp (ASN: 0-1821730), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 64th Tank Battalion (Medium), 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Korea. On 3 June 1951 near Chail-li, Korea, as Captain Knapp was leading his company on an armored reconnaissance mission, it became subjected to intense anti-tank fire which disabled the three lead tanks, including his own. Aware of the confused and disorganized state which resulted, he dismounted under the severe enemy fire and ran from tank to tank pointing out defilade positions to which they could displace. After removing all wounded to a place of safety in the rear, he again attempted to move the Company forward and destroy the hostile anti-tank guns, but the direct enemy fire disabled another tank, forcing Captain Knapp to withdraw and regroup his tanks. A third attempt to advance also failed but; during the firefight, two of the enemy’s anti-tank guns were destroyed. With darkness falling and fog and rain pervading the area, he was ordered to withdraw and disregarding the incessant fire from the enemy, Captain Knapp supervised the removal of all guns, radios and secret equipment from the accessible disabled vehicles; then directed artillery fire upon the tanks to prevent the enemy from capturing them. Captain Knapp’s gallant and aggressive action reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Armor)

    Batallion:

    64th Tank Battalion

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    July 26, 1951
    Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 442 (October 5, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Armor) Harold F. Knapp (ASN: 0-1821730), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 64th Heavy Tank Battalion, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 26 July 1951, as Company C was returning to its assembly area from a mission, the right side of a bridge it was crossing suddenly gave way and one of the tanks rolled off into the water below. All except one of the crew members managed to free themselves, but he was trapped in the turret with his left hand caught between the shield and the breech of the 90 millimeter gun. Efforts to rescue the pitiably situated soldier, who was in great pain, were hampered by burning gasoline floating on top of the water, whereby Captain Knapp directed a second tank to approach and secure a tow line in an attempt to righten the vehicle and relieve the gun tube pressure on the stricken soldier, who pleaded fervently to be released from his precarious painful position. Captain Knapp, remaining close to the vehicle constantly encouraged the injured man and simultaneously directed the rescue operation, even though the dense smoke of the burning gasoline and exploding machine gun rounds made his position also dangerous. Persevering, however, he effected a successful operation relieving the pressure on the wounded man so that he could be removed to an aid station for medical assistance. Captain Knapp’s staunch and heroic regard for the welfare of a stricken comrade reflect high credit upon himself and the military service.