Alfred J. Malknecht
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Alfred J. Malknecht entered the Army on January 28, 1943, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Born in Eveleth, Minnesota on March 7, 1924, to Napoleon and Emma (Larcher) Malknecht. While attending Eveleth Sr. High School, he worked at J C Penney in Eveleth. Shortly after graduation from high school in 1942, he was drafted.
He served as a Technician 5th Grade as an infantryman with 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry, 24th Division in Hawaii, Good Enough Island, Australia, Guinea, Biak, Leyte, Luzon, Bataan, Gorringdon, Mindore, and Mindanao.
He was awarded the following: Bronze Star, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two bronze service stars. The Presidential Unit Citation and Combat Infantryman's Badge were received by Corporal Alfred Malknecht following his third combat mission during 19 months of overseas service which included participation in the invasion of Leyte, Philippines.
Mr. Malknecht was honorably discharged on October 13, 1945, at Brigham City, Utah.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, page 360.
