Arthur Knight Noble
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army

At the beginning of World War II, Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Knight Noble was serving with the 45th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Scouts in the Philippines. Following the surrender of the American forces to the Japanese in 1942, LTC Noble was serving as a guerilla leader in the Northern Luzon area of the Philippines. He organized resistance to the enemy until his capture and subsequent execution at the hands of his Japanese captors on 1 November 1943. LTC Noble’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Prisoner of War
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Arthur Knight Noble (ASN: 0-17780), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with United States Army Forces in action against enemy forces at Luzon, in the vicinity of in the Philippine Islands. Lieutenant Colonel Noble was a guerilla leader in the Northern Luzon area of the Philippines after the surrender of the American forces in 1942. He organized resistance to the enemy until his capture and subsequent execution at the hands of his captors at Bilibid Prison. Lieutenant Colonel Noble's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Memorialization

The remains of Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Knight Noble have never been recovered. He is memorialized by having his name inscribed on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56776985/arthur-k-noble

Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Knight Noble is also memorialized with a cenotaph at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section MF, Site 15A. A memorial service with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, 27 June 2005 took place at the dedication of the cenotaph.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14803123/arthur-knight-noble