Robert Wagner Knight was born May 11, 1922 at Columbus, Ohio.

The 1930 Census said his father, James Knight, was a farmer at Pleasant, Ohio east of Columbus, and his mother, Cora Wagner Knight, a homemaker.

As for most families, the Great Depression was difficult for the Knights. In 1939 the father and oldest son, James Jr., then 19, earned a combined $675 from farming. 

Young Robert graduated in June 1940 from Lancaster High School. He made the honor roll his junior and senior years and played in the band. He enlisted in the Navy in September 1940.

Mr. Knight was an electrician’s mate and petty officer third class on the U.S.S. Arizona when he was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.

Sources: the Lancaster (Ohio) Eagle-Gazette; Census; Navy enlistment records and muster roll; Defense Department. This profile was researched and written on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona.