Purdue alumnus receives Bronze Star Medal for service in World War II

For some Boilermakers, changing the world for the better starts before they ever enroll at Purdue. This is true of Eldon Knuth, who recently received the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in a combat zone, 75 years after the end of his service in the U.S. Army.

Knuth was a member of the 95th Infantry Division sent to liberate Metz, France, from German occupation during World War II. On Nov. 14, 1944, Knuth’s battalion attacked Jeanne d’Arc, the largest of the 11 defensive forts surrounding Metz. When the German defenders flanked the U.S. formations, Knuth and around 30 soldiers found themselves trapped behind enemy lines.

The soldiers spent five cold, wet days pinned behind enemy lines under tense sniper surveillance. With minimal supplies, they survived on D rations, the vitamin-dense chocolate bars used as emergency rations during WWII.

On Nov. 19, friendly troops were able to relieve Knuth and the others, who suffered only one casualty while under pressure. Three days later, Germany surrendered the city of Metz. Citing the American infantry’s fortitude, captured German Lt. Gen. Heinrich Kittel called the division the Iron Men of Metz, a nickname the men embraced as they were greeted by the gratitude of French citizens.

The slushy conditions gave Knuth trench foot, a condition that put him in the hospital for nine months and which still bothers him today. Despite his injuries, Knuth never stopped trying to make the world a better place.

Knuth was drafted at 18 just one semester into his undergraduate education at Iowa State College, and he continued his education by receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aeronautical engineering from Purdue (1949, 1950). He went on to receive a doctorate of philosophy in aeronautics from Caltech in 1953.

After graduation, Knuth entered the aeronautics industry by working at Aero-physics Development Corp., an organization holding military and industrial research and development contracts, before beginning an illustrious professorial career at UCLA in 1956. During his 35-year tenure as a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, Knuth’s achievements include leading the molecular-beam laboratory for 27 years, authoring several books, including the textbook “Introduction to Statistical Thermodynamics” and authoring or co-authoring more than 100 academic papers. He co-owns a patent in early rocket propulsion design.

Knuth’s Bronze Star Medal was presented by Maj. Gen. Laura L. Yeager, commander of the 40th Infantry Division, on Sept. 29 in a formal ceremony that took place at the retirement community where he lives with his wife, Margaret. All COVID-19 protocols were taken to protect attendees. Knuth donned a black mask with his community’s logo and the phrase, “I Wear This Mask to Protect You.” Citing his admirable achievements, Yeager stated that Knuth “never stopped making the world a better place.”

A volunteer veteran advocate, retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Johnson, told the Los Angeles Times that it was common for World War II veterans to have qualified for the Bronze Star but to have never received it. Johnson helped Knuth apply for his Bronze Star and arranged the ceremony.

In May 2019 Knuth was appointed a Knight in the French Legion of Honor, an acknowledgement granted to individuals performing the highest degree of military or civil achievements for France. Though reserved to French nationals, the award was opened to British or American veterans who served in the world wars. Knuth’s military recognitions include the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two battle stars, the World War II Victory Medal, and two presentations of the Combat Infantry Badge.

Writer: Christy McCarter, mccarter@purdue.edu