Educational Scholarships
When America is in danger, she depends on the strength and courage of her citizens for protection. One hundred years ago in a rural north Texas town, one ordinary, underprivileged young couple raised a family of seven boys and one little girl who would become valiant and fierce protectors of our great nation. Instilled with deep moral convictions, a relentless work ethic, faith in God and dedication to each other, these siblings selflessly served our country. Five served in direct combat, encompassing three wars. Two made the ultimate sacrifice in her defense, and the eldest son, Jack, was awarded our nation’s highest military award, The Medal of Honor, when he gave his life in battle during World War II. Collectively, the children of Roy and Martha Knight devoted 175 years of military and civil service to this nation. The RMK Foundation honors this extraordinary family by lifting up individuals who demonstrate these characteristics for future generations.
“Without conscious intent, Roy and Martha contributed their physical, mental and religious souls to the nation’s welfare and survival.”
~Bill Knight
A Patriot's Challenge
To date our recipents have been students from Weatherford College, Millsap High School and Mineola High School. At present we offer eight scholarships on an annual basis.
Jack Knight Courage Scholarship
Lord Louis Mountbatten visited the Mars Task Force on February 18, 1945, near Lashio. He brought tears to the eyes of the cavalrymen as he talked of Jack, of what he had done, and what he represented. He promised that future maps would show Second Squadron’s objective hill as “Knight’s Hill.” During this visit, Mountbatten also asked Lieutenant General Sultan, his Senior American General, to quote him in support of a recommendation that Jack Knight be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, posthumously. This request would help Major Jordan’s recommendation that Jack receive the Medal of Honor.
Jack joined eight of his men from Troop F, another thirteen from other units of Second Squadron, and forty-one from the remainder of the 124th Cavalry in graves on a hillside near the scene of the “Battle of Knight’s Hill”. The plot was enclosed by a bamboo fence and overlooked a valley of rice paddies. Four years later his remains were moved to another valley half way around the world, a small cemetery near the family church, Holder’s Chapel Methodist Church. The day was notable for the bone chilling cold of a midwinter blue norther, blizzards that occasionally sweep through North Texas with gale force winds. Jack’s sacrifice on Loi Kang Ridge has not been forgotten through the intervening years.
Curtis Knight Scholarship
On September 10, 1945, Curtis was presented the Silver Star. The citation read:
First Sergeant Curtis L. Knight (ASN 20822937), US Army. For gallantry in action 2 February 1945 near Loi-Kang, Burma. Seeing his troop executive officer wounded, and knowing that there were no other officers available, Sergeant Knight, being the highest ranking non-commissioned officer present, with complete disregard for his own life and under constant enemy small arms fire, assumed the duties of troop executive officer, and led an attack on a strong enemy position. Wounded, and unable to move, Sergeant Knight continued to direct the attack from his stretcher, not permitting himself to be evacuated until all other wounded were brought to safety. The courage and bravery of Sergeant Knight reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Loyd Knight Scholarship
Loyd finished the war on the island of Pelelieu as a platoon leader and battalion reconnaissance officer. He spent his time there patrolling, looking for Japanese stragglers, playing poker, playing softball and waiting to invade Japan.
After serving another tour of duty in Korea in 1960-61, Loyd served the remainder of his career commanding batteries of Nike missiles in Virginia, and battalions around the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He attended the Command and General Staff College in 1964, and retired May 31, 1967, with the rank of Lt. Colonel.
Herschel Knight Scholarship
After serving on the U.S.S. Maryland where he was the first brother to see combat, Herchel was discharged in the spring of 1946. He married Lorene Calhoun and returned to Weatherford, where he worked in an oil tool factory for a few years. He worked for General Dynamics in Fort Worth, they had their first child, Jack. Ronnie and Vicki followed.
Herchel became a machinist, operating a computer controlled milling machine that produced tools and parts for the construction of aircraft and missiles. He retired from that job. All three of his children earned college degrees.
Herchel’s son, Jack, followed his father’s example and joined the military, serving in Southeast Asia, flying out of Udorn, Thailand, the same as Roy. Jack’s two-man warplane flew cover during the evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon. Jack left active duty in 1979, to return to school, earning his M.D. degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He then served as flight surgeon in the Texas Air National Guard.
Robert Clinton Knight Scholarship
R. C., who was drafted in May 1945, was in basic training when the war ended. He was sent to Japan to serve in the occupation forces.
He married Barbara, in his early thirties. They had two bright and beautiful daughters, Terry and Karen. He then was employed by the civil service at Fort Wolters. R. C. died, a victim of cancer, on September 25, 1973, a month short of his 47th birthday.
Roy Knight Jr. Scholarship
Major Roy A Knight, Jr. distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against hostile forces as an A1-E: Skyraider pilot in Southeast Asia on 19 May, 1967. On that date, Major Knight led his flight in a strike against one of the most important and heavily defended target complexes in Southeast Asia. Against overwhelming odds Major Knight pressed his attack. His aircraft was struck, resulting in loss of control. Major Knight, fully realizing that he could not regain control, jettisoned his ordnance on the target in a valiant attempt to destroy it and his aircraft subsequently impacted the target area. Major Knight’s unparalleled bravery and courage against virtually insurmountable obstacles were in the highest traditions of the military service. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness, Major Knight reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Bill Knight Scholarship
Bill received four degrees: the A.A. from Weatherford College, B.S. and M.S. from North Texas State University, and a Ph.D. in school administration from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M, Commerce).
He married Shirlene and had three sons with her; Matt, Scott and Joe. As an educator he taught, was a principal, and spent 27 years as a school superintendent.
In retirement he wrote the memoir My Brother Jack and established the Roy and Martha Knight Foundation to honor their memory and dedication to education.
June Campbell Knight Scholarship
June finished high school in 1954, and attended a business college for a year. She entered the civil service and had a forty-year career, mostly as a transportation officer, responsible for moving personal property, DOD passengers and dependents, and cargo for military personnel and government contractors. She had a rating of GS-12 the last several years of her career, before her retirement. June and her husband, Wayne “Soup” Campbell, have two children, Wayne “Bubber” and Melody. Bubber works for a construction company as a supervisor overseeing installation of elevators in high-rise buildings. Melody was the secretary to the principal of Millsap High School. She is now retired.
All proceeds from the sale of My Brother Jack are used to fund the Foundation’s Scholarships.
This is a story about a family of warriors led by the oldest brother, Jack. The growth of this high spirited brood occurred during post WWI, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression and WWII.
Their parents were second generation pioneers of North Central Texas and still farmed the overused land. Their sense of duty to raise seven sons and a daughter to be stalwart citizens transferred to their offspring and became manifest at the appearance of war clouds in the late thirties and early forties. Their grit forged the determination to do their dreadful duty. Their mother would suffer from a firm opposition to killing.
The story follows Jack through the years of WWII as he led his brothers in spirit and his men into battle. His final actions would lead to both death and glory. One brother would join him in the Battle of Knight’s Hill. His other brothers were inspired to fight with great courage in this and future wars. Much later his nephews would serve with distinction in Vietnam, Kobar Towers in Saudi Arabia and in Germany.
This book on its face is about heroes, but at its heart is a plea for sanity in world politics. It was written for the edification, enlightenment and amusement of its readers.