William McKnight

William McKnight remained at his gun aboard USS Varuna as the ship fought its way past Forts Jackson and St. Philip and was rammed during the battle for New Orleans.

McKnight was born in Ulster County, New York, although authoritative sources disagree on the exact year. He served as coxswain aboard Varuna at the time of the action and later held the rank of master's mate. On 24 April 1862 he acted as a gun captain during the close-range engagement. After Varuna was rammed, McKnight and the crew continued to fight until the damaged vessel could no longer remain afloat.

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed): During the passage below New Orleans, McKnight served his gun with courage aboard USS Varuna and continued fighting after the ship was rammed and fatally damaged.

McKnight died at Woodhaven, New York, on 4 November 1914 and was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.

The source rack used the generic Army campaign entry. His proposed rack is the Medal of Honor and the Navy Civil War Campaign Medal. No ribbon device is supported.