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John Knoepfle - World War II

John Knoepfle was attending Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He joined the Navy's V-12 program for training officers, and in 1944 was assigned to the USS Deuel, an attack transport ship. He served as a small boat officer, and in that capacity led eight Higgins Boats (LCVPs) onto the beach at Iwo Jima in February1945. He was wounded while his ship supported operations on Iwo Jima, recovered and was still with the ship for the Okinawa campaign when his injury flared up. He was sent back through a series of naval hospitals in search of a surgeon who could perform a very complicated operation. That finally happened at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, where he was treated and later released in 1946.

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Caption
John Knoepfle’s Navy basic training photograph. As part of the Navy’s V-12 officer training program, John did his basic training near Dartmouth College circa 1943 while also picking up a few classes at the college.

Where:
near Dartmouth College

When:
Circa 1943

Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.

Caption
John joined in on the celebration in June 1943 during Ursuline Academy’s graduation party in Beverly Hills, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati. From left to right are Margy Voss, John Knoepfle, Shirly Ast and Tom Luken.

Where:
Beverly Hills, Ohio

When:
June 1943

Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.

Caption
Ensign John Knoepfle’s photo was taken following his commissioning in the U.S. Navy in June 1944. He was soon assigned as a small boat officer on the USS Deuel which then headed to the Pacific theater.

Where:
Unknown

When:
June 1944

Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.

Caption
John served as a small boat officer on the USS Deuel, (APA 160), an attack transport ship.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.)



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