John J. Knight, Jr.

John Knight, a Marine pilot who earned his wings at NATC Corpus Christi, was assigned to overseas duty with Marine Air Group 12. He arrived in the South Pacific in late 1943, and on 2 January 1944 joined VMF-215 at Vella Lavella. As a new man in the theater, Knight’s flight schedule consisted of training and familiarization hops; his first escort mission over enemy territory was scrubbed by a weather delay. He showed promise in his first few days, and on 10 January was promoted to First Lieutenant.

On 14 January 1944, 24 VMF-215 Corsairs took off from Barakoma and flew to Torokina Airstrip. After a quick briefing, they departed to escort a bomber strike aimed at Lakunai Airdrome, Rabaul. The mission started badly: a parked VMF-215 ship was damaged in a collision, and another suffered an engine failure on takeoff, killing Captain Grafton Stidger. Somewhat rattled, VMF-215 rendezvoused with the strike force and set a course for Rabaul.

The first half-dozen Japanese fighters appeared over the coast of New Ireland “and were constantly being reinforced by others until there were from 50 to 70 above and behind” the American formation. As the bombers approached Rabaul, the Japanese pilots grew more aggressive. Lakunai was socked in by clouds, and the strike force turned its attention on the ships in Simpson Harbor. Dozens of dogfights broke out as bombs were dropped and the strike force retired over Rapopo. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Americans claimed 19 confirmed kills, plus six probables. First Lieutenant Robert M. Hanson accounted for five Japanese planes alone.

Two VMF-215 pilots – Lieutenants Knight and Earl N. Moore – Moore and John J. Knight, Jr. – failed to return, and both were posted missing. Nothing more was learned of Knight’s whereabouts during the war, and he was officially declared dead on 15 January 1946.