Hometown: Greentown, IN
Branch: U.S. Air Force
Unit: 606th Air Commando Squadron
Military Honors: Silver Star, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart
Date of Sacrifice: January 17, 1967 - KIA in Laos
Age: 28
Conflict: Vietnam War, 1959-1975

When he chose a career in the United States Air Force, Roy Knight knew all too well the high cost of military service to his country. Five older brothers served in World War II (1939-1945). Older brother Jack was a World War II Medal of Honor recipient killed in action in Burma. Another brother, Curtis, earned a Silver Star—also in WWII’s India-Burma theater—and spent four months recovering from battle wounds.

Roy was born in the unincorporated town of Garner, Texas on February 1, 1931. According to the Texas State Historical Association, “For most of the twentieth century, Garner was a church and school community for local farmers.”

With fewer than 75 people living in and around Garner, the Knight family did its part to boost the population. Roy Abner Knight Jr. was the sixth son of Roy Knight Sr. and Martha (Holder) Knight. The family would add a daughter, Glenda, five years after Roy Jr. was born.

Roy graduated from nearby Millsap High School in 1953 and followed his five brothers into military service, enlisting in the U.S. Air Force days after his 17th birthday. His first assignments were as a clerk/typist in the Philippines, Japan, and Korea. In 1953, Knight attended Officer Candidate School at Lackland Air Base in San Antonio, Texas.

After his commissioning as a second lieutenant, Knight married Patricia Henderson of Shawnee, Oklahoma. The two met while Roy was stationed in the Philippines, where Patricia’s father served. They would later welcome three children: Roy III, Gayann, and Bryan.

Roy’s military career included assignments at Itazuke Air Base in Japan and Teague Air Base in South Korea.

In 1957, Knight was accepted for pilot training at Laredo (Texas) Air Force Base. After earning his wings, Knight served as a fighter pilot in Germany and France, flying the North American F-86D Sabre fighter jet.

In 1963, the family returned to Texas, where Roy served as a flight instructor at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio. Knight’s family recalls:

Roy loved to hunt and fish, especially with his family. He also loved sports and was a pitcher for his squadron fast-pitch softball teams. He restored a 1931 Model A Ford which he finished as he left for war. He was well-liked and respected by the men with whom he served, particularly the enlisted airmen with whom he had a special connection having been one of them for several years.

In January of 1967, during the Vietnam War (1959-1975), Knight received orders to join the 602nd Fighter Squadron (Commando) at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base. There he flew combat missions almost daily and became a highly decorated fighter pilot. Over his career, Knight would earn the Air Force Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, and six Air Medals.

Major Knight (posthumously promoted to Colonel) would give his life in service of his country on May 19, 1967. His Air Force Cross citation details his final flight:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to Major Roy Abner Knight, Jr. (AFSN: 0-46585), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an A-1E aircraft of the 602d Tactical Fighter Squadron (Commando), Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over Laos on 19 May 1967. On that date, Major Knight led his flight in a strike against one of the most important and heavily defended target complexes in Southeast Asia. Against overwhelming odds Major Knight pressed his attack on the target, in spite of being cautioned by other pilots that a devastating barrage of anti-aircraft fire was directed at his aircraft. Major Knight acknowledged awareness of the situation, but continued his attack. His aircraft was struck, resulting in loss of control. Major Knight, fully realizing that he could not regain control, jettisoned his ordnance on the target in a valiant attempt to destroy it and his aircraft subsequently impacted in the target area. Major Knight’s unparalleled bravery and courage against virtually insurmountable obstacles were in the highest traditions of the military service. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness, Major Knight reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

No parachute was observed prior to the aircraft crashing and bursting into flames, and no beeper signals were heard. Search and rescue operations were hampered by heavy hostile ground fire. Maj. Knight was declared Missing in Action until the Air Force officially declared him deceased in September 1974.

In 1991 and 1992, joint teams from the United States and the government of Laos were able to access the site—and they discovered human remains. Through DNA analysis and other circumstantial evidence, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) identified the remains as Col. Roy A. Knight, Jr.

52 years after giving his life in service of his country, Roy Knight Jr. would return home. His youngest son, Bryan, was 5 years old the last time he saw his father at Dallas’s Love Field. Bryan also served in the U.S. Air Force and later became a commercial pilot for Southwest Airlines. Arrangements were made for Bryan to fly his father back home, landing once again at Dallas Love Field (Watch the video >).

In Honolulu, Hawaii, Roy Knight Jr.’s name is engraved on the American Battle Monument Commission’s “Courts of the Missing,” along with the others who were missing from the Vietnam War. As is the custom, a rosette was placed next to his name to indicate that he has been found.

Col. Roy Abner Knight Jr. is buried near his hometown in Texas. He is honored at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., where his name is inscribed on Panel 20E, Line 45.

Sources
Air Force Times: Remains of Vietnam War pilot flown home to Texas by son
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency: Pilot Accounted For From Vietnam War (Knight, R.)
NPR: Vietnam Veteran's Remains Flown Home By His Son
Military Times, The Hall of Valor Project: Roy Abner Knight
White’s Funeral Homes: Col. Roy Abner Knight, Jr. of Garner, Texas | 1931 - 1967 | Obituary
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, The Wall of Faces: Roy Abner Knight Jr.
HonorStates.org: Roy Abner Knight Jr
Burial Site: Find a Grave