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With our nation in a bloody 'War on Terrorism' in Afghanistan, it is appropriate to acknowledge some of our own cousin-soldiers who made the full measure of sacrifice for their nation.
Military policeman William Curtis McKnight, the son of Henry and Martha (Nutt) McKnight of near Brownsville, Fayette County, PA, is one of the few cousins known to have been killed in World War I. He was a member of the 80th Division of the 205th Infantry, and trained at Camp Lee, VA, before sailing to Europe in August 1918. Writing to his brother from "Somewhere in France," William said that "we are getting along alright, getting plenty to eat and not working to hard." Tragedy struck 17 days later -- while riding on the railroad near Paris on Aug. 23, 1918, William's train collided with a troop train, and he was killed instantly. His remains were not returned to United States soil until 3 years later, when he was buried with military honors at Dickerson Run Cemetery near Vanderbilt, PA. He left behind a young widow, Dora (Strauch) McKnight, who also was his distant cousin and the daughter of John and Mary (McKnight) Strauch.
Visit our Honor Roll to view the names of all of our known cousins who have lost their lives in military service during wartime.
Copyright © 2001 Mark A. Miner