World War II Honoree

Knight H. Wilson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

West Virginia

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private. Inducted into the United States Army December 19, 1940 with induction at Fort Thomas Newport, Kentucky. Upon his graduation from recruit training, he was designated to attend the Flight Aviation Training Program. Deployed to the Philippine Islands Location: Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, and based at Nichols Airfield, Luzon Island. He served with the 21st Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, V-Interceptor Command, an element of the U. S. Far East Fifth Air Force. His unit participated in the Battle of the Philippines, the conquest of the Philippine Islands by the Imperial Japanese Army and Naval Forces (Battle Dates: December 8, 1941-May 6, 1942). While retreating to the Bataan Peninsula, he was captured on 9 April during the ensuing Bataan Battle. As a prisoner, his captors subjected him to participate in the Bataan Death March, detained at the Prisoner of War Camp #1 Cabanatuan, Luzon Island. Saturday, July 25, 1942 he was reported missing in action or buried at sea. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippine Islands. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.