James-Knight

1LT JAMES HILTON KNIGHT

1LT. JAMES KNIGHT was listed as a Platoon Leader on the Jul 1970 Roster. He lives in Roaring Gap, NC. Sadly, he passed 13 Sep 2023.

PHOTOS

Bob Morris & Jim Knight
reunited after 30 years in Charlotte NC

James Knight and Bob Morris

OBITUARY
Captain James Hilton Knight, age 76, passed away peacefully at home next to his devoted and loving wife of 55 years, Jeane. His heart was so huge, strong and loving, he could not be taken any other way.

Born September 24, 1946 in Elkin, NC, he was the son of the late Reverend James H. Knight and Louise Knight. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Elkin. He graduated from Wake Forest University with a BA in History and was inducted into the Wake Forest ROTC Hall of Fame. Mr. Knight served honorably in the Vietnam War being highly decorated for his actions. He was awarded the Honorary Air Assault Badge for exceptional service for the 101st Airborne Division. His other commendations include but not limited to: Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Three (3) Silver Stars for Gallantry, Two (2) Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star for his heroic actions dedicated to protecting the soldiers under his command and the Republic of South Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.

Captain Knight started his passion of being an Official in High School and continued for over forty (40) years culminating as being one of the few officials to officiate both Division 1 Men’s Basketball and Football. He officiated ACC Football for thirty (30) years and also officiated in the NFL as well as the World Football League. He loved his time officiating and especially cherished his friendships with his fellow officials and coaches.

He lived a life with many accolades, however his joy and pride was in his family. He always made sure his children: Michael and Mary (Cissy) knew how proud of them he was and how much he loved them. He was so fond of his grandchildren: Jake, Cullyn, Andrew, Colby and Caden and even in his later years with much debilitating pain from his knee and back surgeries and complications, he refused to miss an event, culminating in countless road trips to be their biggest fan. Whether administering the oath when Jake was commissioned as an officer, waiting while Cullyn participated in Science Olympiad, sitting as close as he could get to the Belmont Abbey dugout to watch Andrew on the mound, climbing the stands to enjoy Colby playing in the drumline competition or most recently traveling to watch his youngest grandson, Caden help pitch his high school to their first ever state championship, he always showed up. A loving big brother to his sister, Anita and his brothers Mike and Sam, his most cherished moments were always with his family.

He lived a life with integrity and devotion to family and friends and was a hero to all that loved him and knew of him, however he would never acknowledge that about himself, only focusing on others. He always loved Elkin, NC and moved back later in life to “The Mountain House”; enjoying the moments of taking his grandsons fishing, golfing and hiking at Doughton Park and seeing the deer that came up every morning to his back porch to say hello while he had his coffee.

A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, September 16, 2023 at First Baptist Church in Elkin at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. Mark Reece officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 – 12:00 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow at Hollywood Cemetery with full military honors provided by Yadkin VFW Post #10346.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to the American Heart Association, Post Office Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or First Baptist Church Elkin, 110 Gwyn Avenue, Elkin, NC 28621.

NOTES FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Ed Mitchell posted this on April 17. 2021 on our Facebook group page:

18 APRIL 1970, IN MEMORIUM:
SGT MICHAEL JOHN VAGNONE, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry; Killed-In-Action (18 April 1970) by gun or small arms fire vicinity MGRS Grid YD365164; MOS 11B; Stamford, Connecticut.
SP/4 ROBERT LEE DANGBERG, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry; Killed-In-Action (18 April 1970) by gun or small arms fire vicinity MGRS Grid YD365164; MOS 11B; Winside, Nebraska.

WE MOURN THE LOSS OF THESE TWO WARRIOR-BROTHERS AND WILL NEVER FORGET THEIR SUPREME SACRIFICE FOR “WE FOUGHT FOR ONE ANOTHER”.

After relieving B Company at the trail junction vicinity grid YD362165 mid to late morning on 17 April, A Company dug in (as part of a hasty defense) and prepared to continue offensive operations to the south on the 18th despite receiving almost continuous NVA mortar fire coming from the south and into and around our perimeter. (Over the course of our time spent at the ridge line defensive position [17-23 Apr] we incurred a significant number of mortar casualties but no deaths that I’m aware of.) My decision to attack south as soon as possible was made based on the following: (1) I knew the NVA knew where we were and I would not allow them the time to plan and execute a counter-attack on their on timelines; (2) We were obviously sitting astride a main NVA line of communication and supply route supporting their buildup around FSB RIPCORD thus we would disrupt their plans as long as possible; (3) We had the tactical advantage of superb subordinate leadership, a shortened decision cycle at platoon/squad level, and an advantage in maneuver and firepower; (4) the trail junction we occupied along the ridge line was “key terrain” for both of us however it gave us superb communications, an LZ for resupply/evacuation operations, visibility of the next ridge line south; and (5) the trail junction gave us the best defensible terrain in our area of operations.

Mid morning on the 18th, A Company attacked south with LT Jim Kwiecien’s 2nd Platoon leading followed by LT Jim Knight’s 1st Platoon (and my command element). Dave Poole’s 3rd Platoon was in reserve. By mid afternoon, 2nd Platoon had moved slowly and cautiously no more than a few hundred meters down very steep and heavily vegetated jungle and “hooked” a bit left (east) into an even steeper ravine. Years later, Chris Lingo told me he was “walking point” for the 2nd Platoon (from SGT Vitkow’s squad) when he halted the platoon’s movement suspecting “something wasn’t right”. However, “the point” directed to keep moving across. Within moments after LIngo made it to the far side of the ravine, the NVA opened fire at close range. During the violent exchange SGT Lawrence Vagnone and SP/4 Robert Dangberg were killed in action. PFC Lawrence Witherow and perhaps one or more others were wounded. One or more NVA soldiers were also killed in the melee. As the fight continued, I sent 1st Platoon forward along 2nd Platoon’s right flank and they made immediate contact with an enemy force over-watching the trail south killing one NVA soldier before the NVA withdrew.

With two platoon’s making contact at two separate locations, I made the decision to back away and return with our casualties to our defenses on the ridge line (for 1st and 2nd Platoon, it would be a long harowing night below our ridge line defenses). My assessment was that we had encountered the NVA security elements of a larger force “bunkered” near the Khe Ouaun stream and I immediately told Russ Cook, our FO, that I would not commit A Company to a second attack into the area until we had laid it to waste with artillery.

We would meet elements of the NVA 803rd Infantry Regiment to our south along the trail again on the 19th after a night of constant artillery bombardment. This attack confirmed the location of their primary defenses and set the course for their eventual destruction by tactical air strikes and continuous artillery.

(A Company’s battles with elements of the NVA 2nd Battalion, 803rd Infantry Regiment, 324B Division would be continuous through the afternoon of 23 April 1970 and our extraction...the men of A Company accomplished the mission they’d been given...”TO LOCATE AND DESTROY ENEMY FORCES, BASE CAMPS, AND CACHE SITES”. I could have not been more proud to have led such a great Company of warriors!)

In 2002 Dale Lewis posted the following in our Guestbook:

My name is Dale Lewis, assigned to A Co. 2nd/501st April 1970. I joined the Co. on May 5th, 1970 on FSB Henderson. As you know we were overrun the following morning and suffered tremendous loss. Of the 33(?) KIA, 2 went missing, Sgt's. Teran and Kier's remains were recently identified and returned to family members. I first returned to Vietnam in 1994 in a personal effort to account for MIA's and have made numerous trips over the years. I presently live in Danang and have turned my attention to going back to FSB Henderson. In 2000 I was able to locate FSB Henderson and photo it from a distance, the crater left by the ammo dump going up is quite obvious. I'm hoping to return on Sep. 2nd, 2002 and spend a few days on top. I say hoping as the trip to Henderson will start with a short boat ride crossing the river and then by foot to the top. I expect the trip to the top will take approx. 24 hrs. It is a trip I have long looked forward to but worry my age (53) may be an obstacle in my desire to return. When we were hit on Henderson I was RTO for Lt. Knight, also in my fighting position were unknown Sgt. and medic. I was on last chopper out and have often wondered what happened in the days following May 6, 1970. Thanks for web site, just what I needed here in Vietnam.

On Aug 9, 2021 Ed Mitchell wrote:

A superb PL and A Company’s only Platoon Leader who got through the fights on REUP Hill, FSB GRANITE and FSB HENDERSON.

Another of A Company’s superb Platoon Leader’s I was honored and privileged to lead has been called “home”. LT Jim Knight (“Alpha 16”) was A Company’s only Platoon Leader to survive my tenure from Feb-Jun ‘70. In fact, Jim and I were the only A Company officers to hold our assigned positions through the attacks on FSB GRANITE and Henderson. I could not have asked for better leadership from Jim Knight, Bob Morris nor from their fellow Platoon Leaders, Jim Kwiecien, and Dave Poole. Donna and I send our condolences and love to Jeane Knight and family and prayers for comfort, strength, and healing over the difficult times ahead.