Rodney Knutson enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in 1957, and was honorably discharged to enlist in the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1962. He was commissioned through the Naval School of Pre-flight in February 1963. While serving in Vietnam, he was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on October 17, 1965, and was held until his release on February 12, 1973.
Sponsored by:
Rodney
Allen
Knutson
POW (RVN)
September 29, 1938
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Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 17 – October 24, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Rodney Allen Knutson (NSN: 0-1550347), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 17 September 1966 to 24 October 1966. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Rodney Allen Knutson (NSN: 0-1550347), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in September 1968. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1968
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Rodney Allen Knutson (NSN: 0-1550347), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. His ceaseless efforts to conduct himself strictly in accord with the Code of Conduct and policies of the prisoner organization in the difficult conditions of a communist prison clearly demonstrated his loyalty, love of country, and professionalism. By his unselfish dedication to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 17, 1965 – February 12, 1973
Lieutenant Commander Rodney Allen Knutson (NSN: 0-1550347), United States Naval Reserve, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 17, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 19 – 25, 1965
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Rodney Allen Knutson (NSN: 0-1550347), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 19 to 25 October 1965. Lieutenant Commander Knutson’s captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Lieutenant Commander Knutson reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1965 – February 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Rodney Allen Knutson (NSN: 0-1550347), United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 1965 to February 1973. Under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States, never wavering in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. In an outstanding and tireless fashion he served as an entertainer to provide diversion and constructive rehabilitative thinking to his fellow prisoners during their long internment. Despite harsh treatment and a lack of material aids, he devoted long hours toward improving their morale and well-being. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and dedication to duty throughout his lengthy confinement reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Lieutenant Commander Knutson is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 84 (VF-84)Division:
U.S.S. Independence (CVA-62)Action Date:
October 17, 1965
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Rodney Allen Knutson (NSN: 0-1550347), United States Naval Reserve, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force after being shot down while serving as Navigator of an F-4B Phantom II fighter airplane in Fighting Squadron EIGHTY-FOUR (VF-84), attached to the U.S.S. Independence (CVA-62), in action in North Vietnam, on 17 October 1965. Shortly after parachuting onto enemy soil, Lieutenant Commander Knutson was surrounded by village militia armed with rifles. In the face of great personal risk, he elected to fight rather than surrender. Defending himself with his service revolver, he shot at his rifle-armed adversaries, inflicting two casualties prior to being overwhelmed by their superior numbers. By his daring actions, extraordinary courage, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
April 10 – 14, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Rodney Allen Knutson (NSN: 0-1550347), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 10 to 14 March 1966. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade]Batallion:
Fighter Squadron 84 (VF-84)Division:
U.S.S. Independence (CVA-62)Action Date:
October 17, 1965
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Rodney Allen Knutson (NSN: 0-1550347), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 17 October 1965, as a crew member flying in jet aircraft, serving with Fighter Squadron EIGHTY-FOUR (VF-84), embarked in U.S.S. INDEPENDENCE (CVA-62), during aerial combat operations in Southeast Asia. Lieutenant Commander Knutson participated in an armed strike against the Thai Nguyen Bridge in North Vietnam, a heavily defended area forty miles north of Hanoi. As a member of a four-plane flight assigned to flak suppression, he provided valuable assistance in reaching the target area, in evading enemy defenses, and in silencing one flak site. Lieutenant Commander Knutson’s courageous and selfless actions in the face of intense enemy opposition contributed directly to the success of the mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Board Serial 0720 (May 4, 1993)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Rodney Allen Knutson (NSN: 0-1550347), United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, Naval Training Center (NTC), San Diego, California from July 1990 through June 1993. Captain Knutson’s demonstrated superior initiative, professionalism, and management acumen substantially improved quality of service, quality of life, and training support on board Naval Training Center, San Diego. He skillfully guided the NTC Complex commanders and leaders through the Total Quality Leadership implementation process and the development of an annual quality plan, integrating all phases of training, from recruit orientation to specific training for the Naval Training Center. Captain Knutson meticulously coordinated and choreographed each Recruit Review graduation event making each an impressive and patriotic occasion, that served to bond the civilian and military communities into a strong team. Captain Knutson’s outstanding leadership, perceptive judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.