Knochel, Charles Allen
Navy Lieutenant
Charles Allen Knochel, age 26, from Buck Creek, Tippecanoe County, Indiana
Service era: Vietnam
Date of death: Thursday, September 22, 1966
Parent: Fern Knochel
Spouse: Harriet Knochel
Child: Elizabeth Merritt, eight months
Death details: Lieutenant Charles Allen Knochel, who joined the U.S. Navy from Indiana, was a member of Attack Squadron 176 embarked aboard the USS Intrepid (CVS 11). On September 22, 1966, he piloted a single-seat A-1H Skyraider (bureau number 135239, call sign “Papoose 401”) on a two-plane armed reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam. As the flight flew northeast toward the coast, the aircraft was hit by enemy ground fire. Lieutenant Knochel parachuted from the aircraft and landed in the water in the vicinity of (GC) 48Q XF 465 130. The pilot of the other aircraft on the mission did not see LT Knochel attempt to free himself from his parachute after hitting the water. By the time search and rescue aircraft arrived, LT Knochel had sunk beneath the surface, and could be located. His remains were not recovered. Today, Lieutenant Knochel is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual’s case to be in the analytical category of Non-recoverable.
Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency