Earl William Knutson, Jr.
Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps

Earl William Knutson, Jr. was born on 22 February 1945 in Wisconsin. He was the youngest child of Earl and Cora Hagen Knutson. Earl's father died shortly after Earl was born. He attended schools in Beloit, WI, and was a 1964 graduate of Clinton High School. He attended DeVry School of Electronics in Chicago, IL, before leaving to work for Durst Manufacturing Company in Shopiere, WI.

In September 1965, Knutson enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was trained at Camp Pendleton, CA. He was honored to be part of a special honor guard for the President of the U.S. when he visited Hawaii. Earl's tour of duty in Vietnam began in May of 1966; he was stationed at Chu-Lai.

On 25 December 1966, Private First Class Earl William Knutson, Jr. was serving with F Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, in Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam.

Medals

Combat Action Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Honors

The name Earl W Knutson Jr is located on Panel 13E Line 079 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Private First Class Earl William Knutson, Jr. is buried at East Jefferson Prairie Cemetery in Rock County, WI. He was survived by his mother, two brothers and five sisters.