TFH 3/17: TM1 Frank LeRoy Knight, USN

The USS Stack (DD-406) was one of 10 Benham-class destroyers built for the United States Navy between 1936 and 1939. Her namesake, Edward Stack, was a United States Marine Corps officer during the American Revolution. Stack received his commission in 1799 from the great John Paul Jones, who credited his courage with winning the famous battle of the Bonhomme Richard against the HMS Serapis.

In the early days of World War II, the Stack was serving with the Atlantic Fleet on convoy duty as one of the escorts for the aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CV-7). While en route back to Norfolk, VA on March 17, 1942 - 70 years ago today - the Wasp and her escorts encountered near-zero visibility conditions. At 0650 hours, Wasp collided with the Stack in her starboard side, ripping a gash in the smaller ship's starboard side, and flooding the No. 1 fireroom.

The Stack was in serious trouble. In addition to the severe flooding, the water and potential of an additional collision threatened to detonate the depth charges in the Stack's magazines. One brave 34 year-old Torpedoman First Class took it upon himself to save his ship. For his courage, he was awarded the Navy Cross.

His name was Frank LeRoy Knight.


From Military Times' Hall of Valor:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Torpedoman's Mate First Class Frank LeRoy Knight, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving on board the Destroyer U.S.S. STACK (DD-406), on the occasion of a collision of that vessel with a large aircraft carrier on 17 March 1942, when, as a result of the collision, No. 1 fireroom of the Stack was flooded, the lighting circuits put out and the ship was heeled over at a dangerous angle and being carried across the bow of the aircraft carrier. Despite the pending danger of the depth charges being dislodged by further contact with the carrier, Knight made his way aft in the darkened vessel and, wading waist deep, set all the depth charges on safe. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.

The Stack was saved, and after repairs fought throughout the rest of World War II in the Pacific, participating in the campaigns at Guadalcanal, Vella Gulf, Rabaul, Tarawa, Makin Island, Marshall Islands, the Philippines, and Okinawa. TM1 Knight's courage and quick thinking undoubtedly saved the ship and contributed to our ultimate victory.

Frank LeRoy Knight passed away in 1970. Records show he also served our Nation during the Korean War. USS Stack, the ship he saved, was decomissoned in August 1946 and was sunk as a target.