Peter Stanley Knight
Major, U.S. Army

Peter Stanley Knight was born on 21 July 1935 in Key West, FL, the son of Peter Thomas and Nathalie Sawyer Knight. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 18 February 1957 at Key West and last entered active duty on 4 March 1958, also from Key West.

On 25 August 1966, then-Captain Peter Stanley Knight was serving as Company Commander, Company A, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, CPT Knight's Company A was on a combat mission near Binh Duong Province with orders to assault a fortified base camp of an estimated Viet Cong battalion. CPT Knight deployed 2 of his platoons, held one in reserve, and began to advance through the dense jungle and bamboo thickets toward the insurgent complex. As the assault elements emerged from the jungle, CPT Knight learned that the platoon on his right flank had received intense Viet Cong fire and sustained numerous casualties. Knowing the seriousness of the situation, he rushed to the stricken platoon, reorganized his men and called his reserve platoon for assistance. As CPT Knight led his reinforced unit on a renewed assault against the Viet Cong stronghold, the enemy again opened with a barrage of fire. Although his company was staggered by the intense hostile fire, CPT Knight exposed himself in order to rally a small group of men in an attack on a Viet Cong emplacement. Inspired by this attack, the remaining elements pushed forward in a determined drive to rout the Viet Cong. Although he was wounded while encouraging his comrades to continue the assault, CPT Knight continued to lead his company until he was mortally wounded by Viet Cong fire. His courage and outstanding leadership inspired his badly stricken company to continue the attack until the Viet Cong force was completely routed from its base camp. CPT Knight's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Knight received a posthumous promotion to the rank of Major.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Peter Stanley Knight (ASN: 0-91902), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Captain Knight distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 25 August 1966 while serving as a company commander during a combat mission near Binh Duong Province. When Captain Knight's company was directed to assault a fortified base camp of an estimated Viet Cong battalion, he immediately deployed two of his platoons, held one in reserve and began to advance through the dense jungle and bamboo thickets toward the insurgent complex. As the assault elements emerged from the jungle, Captain Knight learned that the platoon on his right flank had received intense Viet Cong fire and sustained numerous casualties. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he rushed to the stricken platoon, reorganized his men and called his reserve platoon for assistance. As Captain Knight led his reinforced unit on a renewed assault against the Viet Cong stronghold, the Viet Cong again opened with a suppressive barrage of fire. Although his company was staggered by the intense hostile fire, Captain Knight fearlessly exposed himself and rallied a small group of men in an attack on a Viet Cong emplacement. Inspired by this courageous attack, the remaining elements pushed forward in a final determined drive to rout the Viet Cong. Although he was wounded while exposing himself and encouraging his comrades to continue the assault, Captain Knight, with complete disregard for his safety, continued to lead his company until he was mortally wounded by Viet Cong fire. Through his courage and outstanding leadership, he inspired his badly stricken company to continue the attack until the determined Viet Cong force was completely routed from its base camp. Captain Knight's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 6561 (November 29, 1966)

Honors

The name Peter S Knight is located on Panel 10E Line 40 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Major Peter Stanley Knight is buried at Key West Cemetery in Key West, Monroe County, FL.

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