William Clinton Knapp
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

William Clinton Knapp was born on 27 July 1921 in Pecos, TX, the son of Bleecker and Willa Dean Wilson Knapp. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1942.

He was a veteran of World War II.

In October 1952, First Lieutenant William Clinton Knapp was serving with 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 15-16 October, 1LT Knapp's unit was engaged with enemy forces at Kumhwa, North Korea. While participating in the defense of a key terrain feature under counterattack by a numerically superior foe, 1LT Knapp observed the enemy approaching through an area off the left flank of the company, which was unprotected by artillery fire. This maneuver and the position's vulnerability posed an imminent threat to the defense of the entire perimeter. Unable to contact the forward observer by telephone, 1LT Knapp left his bunker and ran across the fire-swept terrain to investigate. When he was wounded and knocked to the ground by a mortar burst, he rose to his feet and proceeded to the observation post. Finding that the observer had become a casualty, he grabbed the telephone and called in round after round of artillery fire on the advancing enemy in an attempt to stem the onslaught. He maintained his heroic stand until hostile troops approached within one hundred yards of his position. He then made a final call for a heavy concentration on the area in which he was located. Through his incredible courage and heroic actions the enemy was routed from the commanding ground with staggering losses. 1LT Knapp's extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) William C. Knapp (ASN: 0-925698), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Knapp distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Kumhwa, Korea, on 15 and 16 October 1952. While participating in the defense of a key terrain feature under counterattack by a numerically superior foe, Lieutenant Knapp observed the enemy approaching through an area off the left flank of the company, which was unprotected by artillery fire. Realizing this maneuver and the vulnerability of the position posed an imminent threat to the defense of the entire perimeter, and unable to contact the forward observer by telephone, he left the comparative safety of his bunker and raced over the fire-swept terrain to investigate. Although wounded and knocked to the ground by a mortar burst, he rose to his feet with grim determination and courage and proceeded to the observation post. Finding that the observer had become a casualty, he quickly positioned himself at the telephone and called in round after round of artillery fire on the advancing enemy in an attempt to stem the onslaught. He maintained his heroic stand until hostile troops approached within one hundred yards of his position. He then made a final call for a heavy concentration on the area in which he was located. Through his incredible courage and inspirational actions, the enemy was routed from the commanding ground with staggering losses. Lieutenant Knapp's consummate devotion to duty, heroic actions, and supreme sacrifice reflect the highest credit on himself and the military service.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 72 (September 23, 1953)

Burial

First Lieutenant William Clinton Knapp is buried at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Lufkin, Angelina County, TX, in Plot: Bird Bath.

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