William Allen Knowlton (19 June 1920 – 10 August 2008) was a United States Army four-star general who served as the 49th Superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point, as Commander of Allied Land Forces South East Europe, and as the United States military representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Early Life and Education
Knowlton was born on 19 June 1920 in Weston, Massachusetts. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in January 1943 and was commissioned in the cavalry.
Military Career
World War II
After commissioning, Knowlton reported for duty with the 7th Armored Division. During World War II, he led an assault gun platoon in France and later a reconnaissance troop in Germany. His unit linked up with Soviet forces advancing from the east in Ganzlin, northwest of Berlin. For his actions, he was awarded the Silver Star.
Post-War and Staff Assignments
Following the war, Knowlton held various staff positions. He graduated from the Command and General Staff College in 1955 and was subsequently assigned to the Department of Social Sciences at West Point, where he became an associate professor. He later commanded a battalion of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and attended the U.S. Army War College. He served as military attaché in Tunis before taking command of a brigade at Fort Knox.
He was later assigned to the Pentagon in the Office of the United States Army Chief of Staff and subsequently the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Vietnam War
Knowlton deployed to Vietnam for two tours of duty. He oversaw Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development Support (CORDS) for General William Westmoreland and served as assistant division commander for the 9th Infantry Division.
Superintendent of West Point
On 23 March 1970, Knowlton became the 49th Superintendent of the United States Military Academy, a position he held for four years. In 1974, during his tenure, the United States Supreme Court reaffirmed West Point's right to enforce its Honor Code in response to challenges from cadets.
Senior Command
After serving as superintendent, Knowlton was assigned as chief of staff of the United States European Command. He was promoted to full general in 1976 and took command of Allied Land Forces South East Europe. He concluded his career as the United States representative on NATO's Military Committee. He retired in 1980 after 37 years of service.
Awards and Decorations
Knowlton's awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star with two oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, and the Air Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster and three bronze oak leaf clusters. His foreign awards include the French Legion of Honour and the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit with Star from Germany.
Post-Military Life
In retirement, Knowlton served as a Senior Fellow at the National Defense University, lectured at the Armed Forces Staff College, served as an advisor for the Defense Nuclear Agency, and was a member of the Defense Intelligence Agency Science and Technology Advisory Board. He also served on the board of the Chubb Corporation. In 2004, he received the Distinguished Graduate Award from the West Point Association of Graduates.
A collection of his military uniforms and awards is on display at the American Military Museum in Charleston, South Carolina.
Personal Life
Knowlton's daughter, Hollister "Holly" Knowlton, married future four-star general David Petraeus in 1974, two months after Petraeus graduated from West Point. Knowlton was serving as Superintendent at the time.
Death
Knowlton died on 10 August 2008 at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Virginia, at the age of 88. The cause of death was intracranial bleeding resulting from a fall, compounded by Parkinson's disease.
