On October 19, 2024, the Lake Minnetonka Chapter awarded a Quilt of Valor to U.S. Army Veteran Dave Knudson. Dave is the husband of chapter member Valerie Knudson.
Dave Knudson was born in 1947 and raised in Crookston, Minnesota. After graduating from Anoka High School in 1965, he attended the University of Minnesota. After dropping out of winter quarter, he received his draft notice in December, 1967, with orders to report January, 1968.
Upon graduation from basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, he was assigned to Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Virginia, where attempts were made to make him a cook.
He received orders for Vietnam, where he arrived at Bien Hoa Air Force Base on January 22, 1968. After a week at the 90th Replacement Battalion at Long Binh, he was ordered to Headquarters, Headquarters Battery, 6th Battalion, 27th Artillery, which was a heavy artillery battery of two 8-inch howitzers and two 175mm long guns in Quan Loi, Vietnam, in support of the First Cavalry Division.
Upon arrival, Sergeant Major asked the arriving troopers who could type. Freed from the mess hall, Dave became the battery clerk, handling reports and paperwork for new arrivals and departures.
In October 1968, he was assigned to Charlie Battery, 6th Battalion, 27th Artillery as battery clerk. In April and May 1969, he volunteered for artillery forward observation along the Cambodian border.
His decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation and a Bronze Star for which he was recommended by his commanding officer but not yet awarded.
Following discharge on January 21,1970, he was employed by Minnegasco (CenterPoint Energy) for 43 years, retiring in December 2013.
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