Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Aloysius
Mathias
Knier
1916-05-25

–

2003-02-20

Born:

Hilbert

, 

Wisconsin

Home:

Kiel

, 

Wisconsin

Buried: 

Saint Nazianz

, 

Wisconsin

Cemetery:

Saint Gregory Cemetery

To prepare for the priesthood, Aloysius Knier attended the parochial school at School Hill, Wisconsin, under the direction of Salvatorian Sisters and the pastor, a member of the Society of the Divine Savior of Saint Nazianz. He then attended the Salvatorian Seminary at Saint Nazianz, Missouri, for six years, and then spent two years in the study of philosophy at Saint John’s College in Collegeville, Minnesota. He then attended La Valle University at Quebec, Canada, to study theology for four years. He was ordained a Catholic Priest on April 25, 1942, and celebrated his first Mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in School Hill. He was commissioned a U.S. Army chaplain during World War II, continuing in service through the Korean War, and retired from the military after 20 years of military ministry. He then served the church in the Green Bay, Wisconsin Diocese.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    5th Cavalry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Cavalry Division

    Action Date:

    August 2, 1950
    Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division, General Orders No. 89 (September 12, 1950)

    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 (Chaplain’s Corps) Aloysius Mathias Knier (ASN: 0-931958), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters Company, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in action against the enemy at Kunchon, Korea, on 2 August 1950. During the early morning hours, Chaplain Knier’s unit was engaged with the enemy who were attempting to gain control of a main supply route. With complete disregard for personal safety Chaplain Knier made two trips across open ground which was under intense enemy automatic weapons fire to save two medical vehicles from the enemy. He then assisted in the evacuation of the wounded while under enemy fire. All wounded were evacuated safely, largely through his untiring effort and devotion to duty. Chaplain Knier’s courageous actions in the face of enemy fire inspired the men of his unit and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.