Quick Facts
Biography
Richard A. Knobloch (May 27, 1918 – August 13, 2001) was a Brigadier General in the United States Air Force.
Biography
Knobloch was born in West Allis, Wisconsin in 1918. Later he would move to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin and Kansas State College. Knobloch died on August 13, 2001.
Career
Knobloch joined the United States Army in 1940. During World War II he participated in the Doolittle Raid. Following the war he was assigned to the Ninth Air Force and became Vice Commander of the 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing. In 1960 he entered the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Later assignments include serving as Deputy Chief of Staff of Plans of Pacific Air Forces. His retirement was effective as of February 1, 1970.
Awards he received include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
His Distinguished Flying Cross citation reads:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Richard A. Knobloch, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement as Co-Pilot of a B-25 Bomber of the 1st Special Aviation Project (Doolittle Raider Force), while participating in a highly destructive raid on the Japanese mainland on 18 April 1942. Lieutenant Knobloch with 79 other officers and enlisted men volunteered for this mission knowing full well that the chances of survival were extremely remote, and executed his part in it with great skill and daring. This achievement reflects high credit on himself and the military service.