James Daniel Kneece
1942
Agricultural Economics
Agricultural Economics Club 3, 4; Marksman, ROTC Camp, Clemson, SC
Gilbert, SC
Parents - Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Kneece of Gilbert. He was also survived by two sisters, Miss Mildred Kneece of Swansea and Miss Betty Kneece of Gilbert; and a brother, David Kneece of Gilbert.
Army, Second Lieutenant
135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, Company H
Jun 7, 1918
May 23, 1944
Killed in Action - Anzio beachhead.
Sicily-Rome American Military Cemetery. There is a memorial marker to him in Saint Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Gilbert, SC.
NE
Additional Information
KNEECE, JAMES D. “J.D.” – Second Lieutenant – Company H – 3rd (Heavy Mortar) – Platoon Leader: On May 23, 1944, Lt. Kneece had several Germans trapped in a cave and was shooting at them when a German cut him down with a “burp gun,” fatally wounding him. After that the mortar section was determined to make sure none of the Germans in the cave would escape. The mortar section poured one burning-white-hot phosphorous mortar round after another into the cave. None of the Germans made it out of the cave.” Patrick SkellyHistorian, 34th Infantry Division Association
He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant May 21, 1942 and was stationed at Camp Wolters, TX with the 28th Infantry of the Eighth Division. He was later stationed at Fort Benning, GA; Fort Leonard Wood, MO; Camp Forrest, TN; and Fort Meade, MD. Lieutenant Kneece was sent to North Africa and entered combat duty at Cassino.