Edward L. Knaus

Edward Knaus was born 03 December 1916 in Cleveland, OH, the youngest of eight children to Yugoslavian immigrants Aloysius and Mary Knaus. Prior to the war, he was working as a milling machine operator at Aver Register in Cleveland. Eddie enlisted at Camp Perry, OH on 06 April 1942 and graduated from Air Forces Technical School as an aircraft armorer (MOS 911) in August 1942, class 14-42A Lowery Field, CO.

He participated in the anti-submarine, India Burma, and China offensive campaigns and was awarded the Bronze Star, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater with two bronze stars, Good Conduct Ribbon, Distinguished Unit Badge, and Victory Medal. He was discharged 22 December 1945 after serving three years and eight months, of which almost two years were overseas.

Edward died on Christmas day, 2022 at the age of 106. It is believed that he was the last surviving member of the 118th.