Father's Day tribute to his son by JSK

An item in the May/June 1971 issue of Tower Topics quoted a letter from Leroy Church, father of Bill Church who once headed the Beacon Journal composing room.

“One of the finest Father's Day stories I've ever read appeared in the Akron Beacon Journal by John S. Knight,” Church wrote. ”He was writing of the death of his young son, John, Jr.”

Here is what JSK had to say about his son:

"World War II took a toll of 292,131 battle deaths, our Johnny was among them. The following first printed on April 22, 1945, is offered as a heartfelt tribute to all servicemen, both living and dead - who have had no voice in the making of wars but only the obligation to serve and perhaps to die.

"It was written by Major General W. M. Miley, U.S.A., Commanding 17th Airborne Division:

"First Lieutenant John S. Knight, Jr., distinguished himself by heroic and meritorious service in action while serving in the army of the United States against any enemy of the United states. On January 21, 1945, First Lieut. Knight with a small reconnaissance patrol cleared the enemy from Hauthellain, Belgium. In the face of numerically superior force, the patrol, under the aggressive leadership of First Lieut. Knight, skillfully carried out his attack completely routing the enemy. The actions of First Lieut. Knight were in accordance with the highest standards of military service."

But as the editor said, . .. the tears come faster, "Johnny is gone."

Just click on the headline to read the “Editor’s Notebook” written for Sunday, April 25, 1945, two days after a Page 1 story reporting on the death of his son.