Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Howard
Clayton
Knotts
POW (WWI)
August 25, 1895

–

November 23, 1942

Cemetery:

Oak Ridge Cemetery

An ACE with 6 victories, Howard Knotts was shot down on October 14, 1918. Though wounded, en route to a POW camp he set fire to a supply train, destroying several Fokkers headed for the front line. He escaped from his prison camp a few days after arrival, but was recaptured and held until the war ended.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    17th Aero Squadron

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 8, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 3 (June 3, 1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Air Service) Howard Clayton Knotts, United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as a Pilot with the 17th Aero Squadron, American Expeditionary Forces, in action at Awoingt, France, 8 October 1918, while on a bombing attack.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    17th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 17, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 19, 1921

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Air Service) Howard Clayton Knotts, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 17th Aero Squadron, 4th Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Arieux, France, 17 September 1918. During a patrol flight 5 American planes were attacked by 20 enemy Fokkers. During the combat, when Lieutenant Knotts saw one of his comrades attacked by 7 enemy planes and in imminent danger of being shot down, he, although himself engaged with the enemy, went to the assistance of his comrade and attacked 2 of his immediate pursuers. In the fight which ensued he shot 1 of the enemy down in flames and forced the other out of control. His prompt act enabled his comrade to escape destruction, although his comrade’s plane was so disabled that he made the allied lines with difficulty, crashing as he landed.