Don Knight
Kensington, Md.
Birth: Weymouth, Mass. Education: BS in Journalism, Boston University, 1950
Enlisted in Marine Corps at Boston, Mass., June 1943. Served with ground defense platoon attached to MAG 32, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, in consolidation of the Northern Solomons, South Pacific; Luzon and Mindanao islands, Philippines, 1944-45. Honorable discharge, January, 1946. Service # 869858. M-1 Rifle # 1022333.
Enlisted in Marine Corps reserve at Squantum Naval Air Station, Quincy, Mass., 1948. Recalled to active duty June, 1950. Served in public affairs office at the Cherry Point, N.C., MCAS (MOS 4312). Honorable discharge, November, 1952. (Sgt. Rank). Total service time: 38 mos. active duty; 36 mos. inactive reserve.
Civilian background: Reporter/editor/feature writer with daily newspapers in Mass. and Virginia and with Virginia bureau of the Associated Press, 1952-1960. Director of public information, Virginia Dept. Of Transportation 1961-65; executive director of non-profit promotional, information and research organizations in Harrisburg, Pa. and Washington, D.C. 1966-1986. VP of Carl Byoir public relations firm, D.C. bureau; editorial director, Ketchum Communications, D.C.; director of media relations, editor of quarterly journal, Intelligent Transportation Society of America, D.C. 1986-2003. Rotating Reporter/Editor: National Press Club weekly newsletter, 1974-present.
Post Corps highlights: Nov. 10, 1974 birthday speech to USMC reserve unit at Norfolk, Neb., wielding a saber for the cake cutting, etc. Corresponding with cousin, Gen. Richard I. Neal, deputy director of operations, Desert Storm, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and attending his retirement ceremony as Assistant Commandant at 8th and Eye, Nov. 1, 1998. Joined USMCCCA, 1998.
