Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    23d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    August 25, 1950

    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 117 (December 26, 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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) William F. Knight (ASN: 0-1297741), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters Company, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 25 August 1950 near Taegu, Korea. During the early morning hours of this date elements of his regiment had the mission of supporting the impending attack of another infantry regiment. When he learned that telephone communications between the two regiments had been knocked out he volunteered to make a physical contact with, and lay a new telephone wire into, the command post of the other regiment. Despite the severe enemy small arms and mortar fire covering the area to be crossed, he proceeded to lay the wire as he walked up the road in the darkness, until he reached his objective. Upon his arrival there he was forced to grope around in the darkness for almost an hour in order to find the switchboard. Finally locating the switchboard, he established the telephone connection between the two regiments and then delivered to the Commanding Officer a message which was instrumental in the coordination and ultimate success of the impending attack. The gallantry displayed by Lieutenant Knight on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.