William McKnight

{{about|the American Medal of Honor recipient|the American businessman|William L. McKnight|the Canadian politician|Bill McKnight}}

{{Infobox military person

|name=William McKnight

|birth_date= {{Birth date|1842|5|3}}

|death_date= {{Death date and age|1914|11|4|1842|5|3}}

|birth_place=Ulster County, New York

|death_place=

|placeofburial=

|placeofburial_label= Place of burial

|image= William McKnight (MOH) framed.jpg

|caption=Coxswain William McKnight

|nickname=

|allegiance= United States of America
Union

|branch= United States Navy
Union Navy

|serviceyears=

|rank=Master's mate

|commands=

|unit={{flagicon|United States Navy}} {{USS|Varuna|1861|6}}

|battles=American Civil War
*Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip

|awards=Medal of Honor

|laterwork=

}}

William McKnight (May 3, 1842 – November 4, 1914) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the American Civil War.

During the Civil War, William McKnight served in the U.S. Navy as a Coxswain. On April 24, 1862, as a gun captain on board {{USS|Varuna|1861}}, he participated in combat against Confederate ships as the Federal fleet fought its way past the fortifications protecting the approaches to New Orleans, Louisiana. For his conduct during this event, Coxswain McKnight was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor citation

File:US Navy Medal of Honor (1862 original).png

Rank and Organization:

:Coxswain, U.S. Navy. Born: 1842 Ulster County, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863.

Citation:

Captain of a gun on board the U.S.S. Varuna during the attacks on Forts Jackson and St. Philip and in action against the rebel ship {{Ship|CSS|Governor Moore}}, 24 April 1862. During this action at extremely close range, while his ship was under furious fire and was twice rammed by the rebel ship Morgan, McKnight remained steadfast at his gun throughout the thickest of the fight and was instrumental in inflicting damage on the enemy until the Varuna, so badly damaged that she was forced to beach, was finally sunk.

{{Cite web |publisher = American Civil War website |title = McKNIGHT, WILLIAM , Civil War Medal of Honor recipient |date = 2007-11-08 |url = http://americancivilwar.com/medal_of_honor6.html |accessdate = 2007-11-08}}