Medal of Honor: Noah O. Knight – Korean War – November 23–24, 1951

Name: Noah Osborn Knight
Rank: Private First Class
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Company F, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division
Place and Date: Near Kowang-San, Korea – 23–24 November 1951
Entered Service At: Jefferson, South Carolina
Born: October 27, 1929 – Chesterfield County, South Carolina
Departed: Killed in Action, November 24, 1951
Accredited To: South Carolina

---

Summary of Action

The night of November 23, 1951, brought a brutal enemy assault against Company F’s perimeter on the rugged heights near Kowang-San. Through artillery blasts and sweeping machine-gun fire, North Korean forces surged toward the American line. PFC Noah O. Knight held a critical fighting position when two direct enemy hits demolished his bunker and left him wounded.

Refusing evacuation, he crawled to a shallow depression to resume firing. When that position failed to provide effective angles, Knight rose into full view of the enemy and advanced under intense fire, delivering accurate, deadly shots into the attacking ranks. His defiant stand momentarily stopped the assault and bought precious time for his company.

When another wave crashed against the line, Knight spotted an enemy squad slipping through a gap. He counterattacked alone, killing or wounding all infiltrators. Low on ammunition, he remained in position, determined to hold.

Moments later, three enemy soldiers penetrated the perimeter carrying demolition charges designed to blow apart the defensive line. Knight charged them without hesitation, clubbing two with his rifle butt before the third detonated his explosive. The blast killed all three enemy fighters — and mortally wounded Knight.

His final act sealed the breach, saved the company from being overrun, and embodied the highest ideals of courage and self-sacrifice.

---

Medal of Honor Citation

Pfc. Knight, a member of Company F, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. He occupied a key position in the defense perimeter when waves of enemy troops passed through their own artillery and mortar concentrations and charged the company position. Two direct hits from an enemy emplacement demolished his bunker and wounded him. Disregarding personal safety, he moved to a shallow depression for a better firing vantage. Unable to deliver effective fire from his defilade position, he left his shelter, moved through heavy fire in full view of the enemy and, firing into the ranks of the relentless assailants, inflicted numerous casualties, momentarily stemming the attack. Later during another vicious onslaught, he observed an enemy squad infiltrating the position and, counterattacking, killed or wounded the entire group. Expending the last of his ammunition, he discovered 3 enemy soldiers entering the friendly position with demolition charges. Realizing the explosives would enable the enemy to exploit the breach, he fearlessly rushed forward and disabled 2 assailants with the butt of his rifle when the third exploded a demolition charge killing the 3 enemy soldiers and mortally wounding Pfc. Knight. Pfc. Knight’s supreme sacrifice and consummate devotion to duty reflect lasting glory on himself and uphold the noble traditions of the military service.