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Thomas
Eugene
McKnight
KIA (WWII)
1909-10-20

–

1945-02-09

Born:

Paris

, 

Missouri

Home:

Stockton

, 

California

Buried: 

Manila

, 

Philippine Islands

Cemetery:

A.B.M.C. Manila

Thomas McKnight grew up in Paris, Missouri, where his minister father was serving the Paris Station in the Missouri Conference of the Methodist Church. He was educated at John Brown University, Henderson-Brown and Henderson State Teacher’s College, where he received an A.B. degree. He received a B.D. at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, in 1942, and entered the Army as a Methodist Chaplain the following day. He was one of four brothers that served during World War II. While serving with the 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, he received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. He received the Silver Star for the action during which he was killed in action.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    7th Cavalry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Cavalry Division

    Action Date:

    February 9, 1945
    Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division, General Orders No. 41 (March 18, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Thomas Eugene McKnight (ASN: 0-487149), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with combat operations against the enemy while serving as a Chaplain with the 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division in the Pacific Theater of Operations on 9 February 1945. At 0215 hours, the Japanese opened up on our positions with a barrage of 90-mm. mortars, which blanketed the entire perimeter and inflicted casualties within the position occupied by the medical detachment. A call for an aid man was passed around, and Chaplain McKnight, without regard for his own safety, jumped out of his foxhole and ran through the holocaust to the side of one of the wounded men and administered first aid. During this act, Chaplain McKnight received a direct hit from a 90-mm. mortar, which killed him instantly. His unswerving devotion to duty and his zealous act to help his fellow man in the face of death upheld the highest traditions of the United States Army and the Chaplain’s Corps.