Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Unit:

Company B, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

January 15th, 1945

Citation:
"For heroic conduct in action on 3 January 1945 near ***, Belgium. Staff Sergeant Knapp - Platoon Sergeant- just prior to a Division attack, was instrumental in extinguishing a fire in the ammunition dump of Company B, 508th Parachute Infantry, which had been caused by enemy artillery. Staff Sergeant Knapp, with three other men, voluntarily crawled through heavy artillery fire, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, to extinguish the blaze which threatened the ammunition dump. Though exposed to artillery fire and exploding small arms ammunition from burning ammunition cases, Staff Sergeant Knapp and his companions succeeded in rapidly extinguishing the fire before too much damage could be caused. Staff Sergeant Knapp's actions were of vital importance to his company, since the possibility of a counterattack was imminent. Staff Sergeant Knapp's heroic action reflects great credit upon himself and on the Airborne Forces of the United States Army."

Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, General Orders No. 17 (15 January 1945).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

2nd Lieutenant

Unit:

Company F, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

For wounds received in action in Belgium on 7 January 1945.