| Years ago a marker was set at Heckathorn Cemetery in Cranberry Township, Venango County. For a long time there was no body or remains of any kind under the marker, yet it reads: "In Memory Harold K. Knight, PFC, U.S. Army Korea JUN 10, 1930 - NOV 25, 1950" Beside the memorial maker is a stone with the names of his parents Irene and Henry Knight. Today Harold was finally brought home to rest beside them. |  |
For nearly 70 years, the family had no closure. The best they knew is Harold was declared dead in the Korean War and his body never recovered.
In 2018, 55 boxes of remains of American service members were returned to the United States from North Korea. One box contained remains recovered from the east side of the Chosin Reservoir where Knight was last known to be.
On September 4, 2019, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency positively identified the remains of Harold Kenneth Knight, of Erie who was originally from Venango County.
Military scientists used anthropological analysis, evidence of eye witnesses and location of the remains, and DNA to confirm it was Knight's remains.
In 2018, 55 boxes of remains of American service members were returned to the United States from North Korea. One box contained remains recovered from the east side of the Chosin Reservoir where Knight was last known to be.
On September 4, 2019, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency positively identified the remains of Harold Kenneth Knight, of Erie who was originally from Venango County.
Military scientists used anthropological analysis, evidence of eye witnesses and location of the remains, and DNA to confirm it was Knight's remains.
In late November 1950, Private First Class Knight was serving in the 31st infantry regiment as part of the 31st Regimental Combat Team. During what was described as intense fighting with the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces at Sinhung-ri, Knight went missing during withdrawal down the east side of the Chosin Reservoir toward the town of Haguru-ri.
During a rounding up of personnel on Dec. 1,1950, it was confirmed Knight was not accounted for and deemed missing.
Eye witness accounts stated Knight was killed on November 25, 1950, but his body could not be recovered.
He was officially declared missing in action and later memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
In March 1954, Knight was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
During a rounding up of personnel on Dec. 1,1950, it was confirmed Knight was not accounted for and deemed missing.
Eye witness accounts stated Knight was killed on November 25, 1950, but his body could not be recovered.
He was officially declared missing in action and later memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
In March 1954, Knight was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
As the years passed, the family, including 11 brothers and sisters, had to live knowing their loved one never came home.
Patricia Inchak, of Millcreek, was 12 years old when her brother was declared missing and presumed dead. "It was sad back then and it is sad today," she said at his graveside Saturday.
She and brother Albert Knight and sister Frances Thompson are the only living siblings. Their father died in 1992 and mother in 1949, when Harold was home on leave before heading to Korea.
She and brother Albert Knight and sister Frances Thompson are the only living siblings. Their father died in 1992 and mother in 1949, when Harold was home on leave before heading to Korea.
On Saturday, Harold Kenneth Knight made his final journey to be by his parent's side. He was escorted from Erie by Burton Funeral Homes with the help of the Patriot Guard Riders and several law enforcement and civic organizations.
The Oil City and Franklin fire departments created a ladder truck archway for Knight to pass under as the procession drove over the Specialist Jonathan R. Kephart Memorial Bridge (named in memory of a soldier who was killed in Iraq).
The procession made its way to the Heckathorn Cemetery, where a brief service for about 100 people from various color guards, politicians including state Senator Scott Hutchinson, the Patriot Guard and family attended.
Full military honors were given and the flag was presented to Frances.
Harold K. Knight is finally home.
The Oil City and Franklin fire departments created a ladder truck archway for Knight to pass under as the procession drove over the Specialist Jonathan R. Kephart Memorial Bridge (named in memory of a soldier who was killed in Iraq).
The procession made its way to the Heckathorn Cemetery, where a brief service for about 100 people from various color guards, politicians including state Senator Scott Hutchinson, the Patriot Guard and family attended.
Full military honors were given and the flag was presented to Frances.
Harold K. Knight is finally home.
There are still over 7,000 Americans unaccounted for from the Korean War.
For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving our country, visit the DPAA website at www.dpaa.mil, or on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call (703) 699-1420/1169.
For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving our country, visit the DPAA website at www.dpaa.mil, or on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call (703) 699-1420/1169.
Knight’s personnel profile can be viewed at
https://dpaa.secure.force.com/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt00000012j8DEAQ
A copy of his complete obituary can be viewed at
https://www.burtonfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/obituary/harold-knight
https://dpaa.secure.force.com/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt00000012j8DEAQ
A copy of his complete obituary can be viewed at
https://www.burtonfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/obituary/harold-knight
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