134th Infantry Regiment Website 35th Infantry Division Research Center "All Hell Can't Stop Us"

Pvt Irvin W Knowles

134th Infantry Regiment - Company C

Irvin Wilson Knowles was born June 27, 1921 in Baltimore Maryland. He registered for the draft February 14, 1942 and was inducted into the Army June 22, 1944 at Fort Meade, Maryland. He left the U.S. for the ETO on November 25 and arrived December 8, 1944. He joined Company C, 134th Infantry Regiment as a Rifleman from the 14th Replacement Depot on December 21, 1944. Although Morning Reports show he joined Company C on December 21, the 134th Infantry Regiment Unit Journal shows that replacements were received the morning of December 22, 1944. At the time he joined, Company C was in the vicinity of Ernestviller, France, about 7 - 8 miles southwest of Sarreguemines. On December 23 the 134th Infantry Regiment moved to Metz, France for a short rest before going to the Ardennes the day after Christmas to fight in the Battle of the Bulge. On December 27 they moved to the vicinity of Warnach, Belgium, about 10 miles south of Bastogne. The 134th Infantry Regiment was in reserve December 27 - 28 before launching an attack December 29 - 31 with the 1st Battalion advancing to Marvie, Belgium where they made contact with elements of the 101st Airborne Division. The enemy launched a strong counterattack but it was repelled with the help of the 4th Armored Division.

On January 1, 1945 the 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment was in the vicinity of Marvie, Belgium. That night they suffered heavy enemy shelling and another enemy counterattack which lasted through the following day, January 2, 1945 during which Pvt Knowles was severally wounded by artillery shell fragments. He was initially treated at the 110th Medical Battalion Clearing Station before being transferred to the 103rd Evacuation Hospital near Bastogne. He received further medical care at the 112th General Hospital in England where he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. He departed the ETO March 6 and arrived in the U.S. March 22, 1945. Pvt Irvin W Knowles received a disability discharge from the Army at Ashford General Hospital in West Virginia on August 3, 1945. For his service he was also awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and a Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Service. Pvt Irvin W Knowles passed away July 13, 1988. He is buried at Garden of Faith Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland.

Thanks to Nicole Nichols for this picture of her grandfather.