First Lieutenant Jack Llewellyn Knight was a soldier in the U.S. Army who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on February 2, 1945 near Loi-Kang, Burma during World War II. At the time he was serving with 124th Cavalry Regiment, Mars Task Force. Knight was 27 years old.
Knight was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on June 15, 1945.
Knight was born on May 29, 1917 in Garner, Parker County, Texas. His Medal of Honor is credited to Weatherford, Parker County, Texas. He is buried at Holders Chapel Cemetery in Cool, Texas.
Knight is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 78 credited to Texas.
Official Medal of Honor citation
He led his cavalry troop against heavy concentrations of enemy mortar, artillery, and small-arms fire. After taking the troop's objective and while making preparations for a defense, he discovered a nest of Japanese pillboxes and foxholes to the right front. Preceding his men by at least 10 feet, he immediately led an attack. Singlehandedly he knocked out two enemy pillboxes and killed the occupants of several foxholes. While attempting to knock out a third pillbox, he was struck and blinded by an enemy grenade. Although unable to see, he rallied his platoon and continued forward in the assault on the remaining pillboxes. Before the task was completed he fell mortally wounded. First Lt. Knight's gallantry and intrepidity were responsible for the successful elimination of most of the Japs' positions and served as an inspiration to officers and men of his troop.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
What the citation records about his wounds:
While attempting to knock out a third pillbox, he was struck and blinded by an enemy grenade.
Before the task was completed he fell mortally wounded.
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (February 2, 1945).
- Age at death: 27
- Resting place: Holders Chapel Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Jack Llewellyn Knight received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Places
Timeline
- May 29, 1917Born in Garner, Parker County, Texas
- February 2, 1945Act of valor — near Loi-Kang, BurmaAge 27. 124th Cavalry Regiment, Mars Task Force Killed in action.
- June 15, 1945Medal of Honor presented posthumously
- Resting placeHolders Chapel CemeteryCool, Texas
Biography
Jack Llewellyn Knight (May 29, 1917 – February 2, 1945) was an American National Guard officer who was killed in action during World War II. He was awarded the United States highest military decoration for valor, the Medal of Honor, posthumously. He was inducted to the Texas Military Hall of Honor in 1980, awarded the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor posthumously on May 31, 1999.
From the Wikipedia article “Jack L. Knight”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
