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EDWARD M. KNOFF, JR., was born at St. Joseph Hospital in Memphis,
Shelby County, TN, to Edward Murphy Knoff and Margaret Bessent Ogletree.
Graduating from Christian Brothers High School in 1949, he learned about West
Point from a close family
friend. Although frustrated on his first two applications, he persevered. On his
third try he was admitted into Beast Barracks as a member of the Class of 1954
on 5 Jul 1950.
At West Point, Eddie attacked cadet life with tenacity and
determination. The experience
of foregoing Yearling Christmas Leave in order to take re-qualification “turn
out” exams in Mathematics was a learning experience
that sharpened his determination to succeed.
Honing his leadership skills in various Corps of Cadets assignments, Eddie’s
fiercely competitive nature bolstered his efforts as manager of the corps squad
football and basketball teams and led him to help coach his undersized company
boxing team to the Corps intramural finals.
Upon graduation, Eddie completed the
Infantry Officers Basic, Parachute and Jumpmaster Courses; served with the 82d
Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC; then transferred to the Field Artillery and
took the Surface-to-Surface Missile Battery Officers Course. He finally realized
his dream of serving
with the “big guns.” He then served with the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii
and the Tactical Department at West Point. In Korea, he was assigned to the 2d
Battalion of the 8th Artillery, where he served as battery commander, battalion
operations officer, and battalion executive officer.
After a tour with the
Artillery School at Ft. Sill, OK, in 1965, Eddie attended the Armed Forces Staff
College at Norfolk, VA. From there he went to Viet Nam, where, in 1968, he
commanded the 2d Battalion, 19th Artillery (105mm), 1st Cavalry Division. He
then attended Tulane University in New Orleans and graduated in 1971 with an MBA
in operations research. Next, he served in the Army Office of the Deputy Chief
of Staff for Military Operations and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Directorate.
After graduating from the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks in 1974, Eddie
was assigned to the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) at Ft. Monroe, VA.
There, he played a significant
role in the development of a number of the Army’s most important weapons systems
of the future, the XM1 Abrams Tank, the Bradley Mechanized Infantry Combat
Vehicle, the Apache Assault Helicopter, and the Comanche Utility Tactical
Transport Aircraft System. In 1975, he was promoted to colonel.
Eddie next was
posted to Army Readiness Region II at Ft. Dix, NJ, in 1978; however, persistent
back pain and limited mobility due to a compression fracture he suffered in a
training parachute jump in 1962 led to his retiring in 1980 at Ft. Dix. For the
following six years, he continued to serve his country as a senior engineer with
the defense contractor Computer Science Corporation.
Eddie’s military awards
included the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, three Army
Commendation Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Four Air Medals, two
National Defense Service Medals, Viet Nam Service Medal, RVN Campaign Medal,
General Staff Identification Badge, two Overseas Service Bars, two RVN Gallantry
Crosses with palm, RVN Gallantry Cross with bronze star, and RVN Civil Action
Medal 1st class.
Eddie’s friendly smile and engaging personality
helped him win the hand of Miss Betty Boyd Newberry from Fayetteville, NC, whom
he had met in 1953 during a summer training trip to Ft. Bragg. They became an
item during First Class Year, and Eddie chose assignment to the 82d Airborne
Division at Ft. Bragg after graduation in order to further their relationship.
In 1955 they were married, and by 1963 the family was complete with two
sons—Eddie III and Tom—both born in military hospitals. Eddie was a good father
to his sons, strict but fair. He instilled in
them the values and “can do” work attitude that served him so well. Today, they
are successful
in family and business, the legacy of Eddie’s loving influence and
leadership.
Enthusiastic, hard working, and tenacious,
Eddie plunged joyfully after graduation
into the profession of arms, which he had dreamed of in his youth, ever striving
to be the best he could be. As he strove continually for greater responsibility,
“Duty First” was his watchword. Progressing upward with promotions,
he was recognized as a “comer” with great potential and a superb
soldier.
Regardless of the importance of his assignment,
Eddie never lost sight of West Point as the constant in his life. Conducting
orientation
talks with his troops about the Academy; working with civic organizations, West
Point Societies, and West Point Admissions Support to recognize and encourage
youth leadership activities; and organizing tailgate parties at Army football
games, he continually sought opportunities to promote his alma mater in a
meaningful way.
After his death on 4 Sep 1986, COL
Edward Murphy Knoff, Jr., was laid to rest with full military honors in the West
Point Cemetery on 9 September. Thus ended a remarkable life that fulfilled to
the fullest
the desire expressed by the lines from the “Alma Mater,” which Eddie, standing
at ram-rod attention, sang so many times during his life, “When we depart from
thee, Serving on land or sea, May we still loyal be, West Point, to thee.” Well
done, my buddy. Until the day breaks and the shadows
flee away, Be thou at peace.
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