Marion W. Knight’s Silver Star citation

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TAKES PLEASURE IN PRESENTING THE

SILVER STAR MEDAL MEDAL

TO
MARION W. KNIGHT
STAFF SERGEANT
U.S. ARMY

For service as set forth in the following

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Marion W. Knight (RA-25731229), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action. Staff Sergeant Knight distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 22 January 1968, while serving as Section Leader conducting night escort duties with his truck mounted M55 “quad fifty” machine gun, with Battery A, 4th Battalion, 60th Artillery. At 2255 hours the convoy control jeep hit a command detonated mine, injuring three men. Instantly, another mine was detonated, riddling the M55 machine gun and injuring Sergeant Knight. A Viet Cong reinforced squad simultaneously saturated the area with automatic weapons fire. Unhesitatingly, Sergeant Knight directed 8,500 rounds of .50 caliber retaliatory fire and, while still under intense hostile fire, quickly evacuated two of the three wounded men from the destroyed jeep. Upon returning to the jeep, he realized that the third man was gravely wounded and could not be moved. Sergeant Knight then removed his own protective vest and shirt, placed them on the wounded man for protection and immediately administered first aid. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he radioed for reinforcements and then directed a medical evacuation helicopter to a landing area by use of a flashlight. After the evacuation of the wounded personnel, Sergeant Knight quickly stripped all sensitive and useful materials from the jeep. Upon the arrival of reinforcements, Sergeant Knight rallied his men and continued his mission. Only after arrival at his destination did he report to the hospital for treatment of his wounded leg. Sergeant Knight’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army