Navy Federal Credit Union

Robert Knapp received the Silver Star as a corporal during the Battle of Midway in 1942. He received a battlefield commission and subsequently went with to the 15th Air Force in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, where he was shot down and crashed in the yard of a German citizen named Seeuber. Mr. Seeuber and other citizens of Altotting arranged a funeral service for the six American airmen and buried them on Mr. Seehuber’s property. His body was later returned to be buried in Amsterdam, New York. He received a second Silver Star (Posthumously). In his final mission his co-pilot, Henry Allen, also received a posthumous Silver Star.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    716th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    449th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    February 25, 1944

    Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 208 (April 13, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Robert J. Knapp (ASN: 16007677), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Liberator Bomber of the 716th Bombardment Squadron, 449th Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, on or about 25 February 1944. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Second Lieutenant Knapp, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    31st Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    5th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    7th Air Force

    Action Date:

    June 3, 1942

    Headquarters, VII Bomber Command, General Orders No. 62 (July 30, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Robert J. Knapp (ASN: 16007677), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action as Assistant Engineer of a United States B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber in the 31st Bombardment Squadron, 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), SEVENTH Air Force, in the Battle of Midway between 3 and 7 June 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Corporal Knapp, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.