Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private 1st Class

Unit:

Headquarters Company, 347th Infantry Regiment, 87th Infantry Division "Golden Acorn", U.S. Army

On 20 February 1945 when the generator inside a command post installation exploded, spraying the walls, floor and ceiling with flaming gasoline, Private First Class Knoebel, disregarding personal safety, fearlessly rushed into the building several times to remove cans of gasoline, gave the alarm and organized the work of smothering the conflagration which would have destroyed several vehicles and would have disclosed the command post location to the enemy.
His action reflects creditably upon himself and his training as a soldier.