Milton Knudson

October 20, 1923 (age 19)

Geneva, United States of America

He enlisted in the United States. Navy on 1 July 1941. While serving in the destroyer United States Ship Laffey (Doctor of Divinity-459) in the Southwest Pacific during World World War II, he distinguished himself on 15 September 1942 during rescue operations for survivors of the aircraft carrier United States Ship Wasp (CV-7), which was torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine south of Guadalcanal that day. With "courageous disregard" for his personal safety, he dived over the side of Laffey and swam considerable distances with lines to rescue Wasp"s exhausted sailors, thus saving the lives of many who otherwise might have perished. During the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 13 November 1942, Seaman First Class Knudson was killed in action when Laffey was sunk by Japanese torpedoes and gunfire in Ironbottom Sound north of Guadalcanal. During World World War II, the United States. Navy destroyer escort United States Ship Knudson (Delaware-591) was named for Seaman First Class Knudson. During construction, she was converted into a high-speed transport, and was in commission as such as United States Ship Knudson (APD-101) from 1944 to 1946 and from 1953 to 1958.

Milton Knudson

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Navy sailor

Background

Milton Lox Knudson was born in Geneva, Illinois, on 20 October 1923.

Career

He enlisted in the United States. Navy on 1 July 1941. While serving in the destroyer United States Ship Laffey (Doctor of Divinity-459) in the Southwest Pacific during World World War II, he distinguished himself on 15 September 1942 during rescue operations for survivors of the aircraft carrier United States Ship Wasp (CV-7), which was torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine south of Guadalcanal that day. With "courageous disregard" for his personal safety, he dived over the side of Laffey and swam considerable distances with lines to rescue Wasp"s exhausted sailors, thus saving the lives of many who otherwise might have perished.

During the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 13 November 1942, Seaman First Class Knudson was killed in action when Laffey was sunk by Japanese torpedoes and gunfire in Ironbottom Sound north of Guadalcanal.

During World World War II, the United States. Navy destroyer escort United States Ship Knudson (Delaware-591) was named for Seaman First Class Knudson. During construction, she was converted into a high-speed transport, and was in commission as such as United States Ship Knudson (APD-101) from 1944 to 1946 and from 1953 to 1958.

Achievements

Seaman First Class Knudson was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal posthumously for his valor during the rescue operations for Wasp"s survivors on 15 September 1942.

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Milton Knudson

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Awards

Navy and Marine Corps Medal Seaman First Class Knudson was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal posthumously for his valor during the rescue operations for Wasp's survivors on 15 September 1942.