Alfred Charles Knudtson, born on 5 June 1921 in Peru, Illinois, was the second child of James C. and Luella (Schmidt) Knudtson. Alfred’s father was a Norwegian immigrant who arrived in America in 1889 under the name James Christian Winter. James Knudtson ultimately settled in Peru, Illinois, where he met and married Luella Schmidt in November 1910. Much of Alfred’s life was spent in his family’s home at 2229 State Street in Peru with his parents and three sisters— Genevieve, Mavis, and Ruth. Their father James supported the family by working when he could as a cigar maker.
As a teenager, Alfred attended LaSalle-Peru Township High School where he was involved in the school band. After graduating in 1939, Alfred briefly attended college for a year, furthering his education before the world plunged into war.
As World War II escalated, Alfred, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall with gray eyes and brown hair, registered for the draft on 16 February 1942. He was 20 years old and working at Westclox—a local clock factory. A few months later, on 6 July 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Force, showing a robust commitment to serve his country in its hour of need. Assigned to the 33rd Bombardment Squadron of the 22nd Bombardment Group, Alfred took on the role of an engineer, a position that required both courage and technical prowess.
In the spring of 1945, as the war approached its final, intense months, S SGT Knudtson’s squadron was involved in critical operations over the Pacific. In April of that year, his unit participated in a mission targeting the dispersal areas at Shinhiku Airdrome in Formosa, now Taiwan. This mission was crucial in paving the way for Allied advances on Okinawa by aiming to cripple Japanese air capabilities.
Tragically, during this mission on 15 April 1945, Alfred’s B-24J Liberator aircraft, nicknamed “Patient Kitten” (#44-41031), was shot down in flames over the target area. The young engineer and his crew did not survive the encounter, marking a sorrowful end to his valiant efforts in the war.
Alfred C. Knudtson’s sacrifice was not forgotten. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the WW2 Victory Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. His remains were returned to his hometown, where he was laid to rest in the Peru City Cemetery, bringing his story full circle back to the community that raised him.
Alfred’s story is a poignant reminder of the personal sacrifices made by thousands of young men and women during World War II. His service, marked by dedication and ultimate sacrifice, continues to resonate as a testament to the bravery required to navigate the skies of wartime uncertainty.
This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see www.storiesbehindthestars.org). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 421,000+ of the US WWII fallen saved on Together We Served and Fold3. Can you help write these stories? These stories will be accessible via smartphone app at any war memorial or cemetery.
If you noticed anything erroneous in this profile or have additional information to contribute to it, please email feedback@storiesbehindthestars.org.
- SBTSProject/Illinois/LaSalle
- SBTS Historian: Pam Broviak
You can also access this story at the following sites:
Fold3 Memorial: https://www.fold3.com/memorial/664257064/s-sg-alfred-charles-knudtson-service-no-16079636/stories
Sources:
- 1920 U.S. Census, James C. Knudtson, Ancestry.
- 1930 U.S. Census, James Knudtson, Ancestry.
- 1940 U.S. Census, James Knudtson, Ancestry.
- “Illinois, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1998,” James Christian Knudtson, FamilySearch.
- “Illinois Marriages, 1815-1935,” James Knudtson and Lula Smith, 1910, FamilySearch.
- “State of Illinois, Certificate of Birth,” Alfred Charles Knudtson, FamilySearch.
- “U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007,” Genevieve Carol Knudtson, Ancestry.
- “U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007,” Mavis Ann Knudtson, Ancestry.
- “U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947,” Alfred Charles Knudtson, Ancestry.
- “U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946,” Alfred C Knudtson, Ancestry.
- “Unit History – US, 22nd Bomb Group, 1919-1949,” p. 10.
- Honor States, Alfred C Knudtson.
- “US, WWII Hospital Admission Card Files, 1942-1954,” Alfred C Knudtson, Fold3.
- “U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1861-1985,” Alfred C Knudtson, Ancestry.
- “Obituary—Ruth Shipsky,” Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/101791812/alfred-c.-knudtson
