James R Knight

Pfc James Knight was killed in action on 06 June 1944, serving with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. Company L came ashore near Colleville-sur-Mer at roughly 0700 on 6 June, thirty minutes behind schedule and without the naval or tank support that had been planned, wading through obstacles and open beach under heavy enemy fire that cut the company from 187 men down to 123 before it ever reached shelter at the base of the cliffs. From there the company reorganized under fire, pushed inland through mined ground and wire, and by mid-morning had established a command post several hundred yards inland, holding a defensive perimeter while patrols probed toward Le Grand Hameau and Cabourg. That afternoon the company beat back a German counterattack on its flank, and by evening it had advanced into and secured Le Grand Hameau before moving into orchard positions south of the town to guard the right flank overnight, clearing out infiltrators, snipers, and small enemy parties into the following dawn. Pfc Knight was killed in action that day; the report does not specify the individual circumstances.