Biography

First Lieutenant Jack L. Knight, a Medal of Honor recipient, is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for extraordinary heroism during World War II. First Lieutenant Knight was the Commander of Troop F, 124th Cavalry, assigned to the MARS Task Force, the successor of the GALAHAD Task Force (commonly referred to as Merrill’s Marauders) and the second long range penetration group to operate in Burma. On 2 February 1945, near Loi-Kang, Burma, First Lieutenant Knight led his 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 his right front. Preceding his men by at least ten feet, he immediately launched an attack. Single-handedly, 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 troop and continued forward in the assault on the remaining pillboxes. Before the task was completed he fell mortally wounded. First Lieutenant Knight’s gallantry and intrepidity were responsible for the successful elimination of most of the Japanese positions and served as an inspiration to the officers and men of his troop. On 3 May 1945, the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously to First Lieutenant Jack L. Knight. It was presented to his father at Camp Wolters, Texas in June 1945. Ranger Knight, truly lead the way paying the ultimate sacrifice to his country.