« The Experience of War

Vernon E. Kniptash

December 6, 1896–September 1987

Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, the son of a clerk for a dry goods wholesaler. Family moved to Indianapolis. Graduated from Manual High School in 1914. Became draftsman at architectural firm of Vonnegut and Bohm. (Firm was co-founded by Bernard Vonnegut, grandfather of the novelist Kurt Vonnegut.) Enlisted in April 1917. Landed in France in November 1917 with 150th Field Artillery Regiment, 42nd (Rainbow) Division. Assigned to regimental headquarters as wireless operator. Served in Lunéville and Baccarat sectors of the Lorraine front, February–June 1918, and in Marne-Aisne, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne campaigns, July–November 1918. Discharged as corporal in May 1919. Returned to work at Vonnegut, Bohn. Married Maude Wolfe in 1920. Studied structural engineering. Lost job with Vonnegut, Bohn during the Depression. Worked for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Joined the Carl M. Geupel Company, major Indiana construction firm, in 1942 as consulting engineer. After the death of his first wife, married Margaret Kellenbach in 1946. Retired in 1967.

Image credit: First U.S. Army Troops for Miltia munnitions convoy. January 02, 1919 (Getty Images)

Image credit: Edwin Howland Blashfield, "Carry on! Buy Liberty Bonds to your utmost," 1918 (Library of Congress)