Albert William “Bert” Knight was born on February 13, 1924, in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. He was the son of Albert A. "Shorty" Knight and Pearl Marie Stocker Knight. He served in the 600th Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner of B-17 #42-107191 nicknamed ''Tomahawk Warrior'' during World War II.

On August 12, 1944, Tomahawk Warrior embarked on its 25th combat mission, targeting sites in France. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft experienced mechanical issues, with two of its four engines catching fire. Despite the dire situation, the pilot managed to steer the failing bomber away from populated areas, ultimately crashing into a field at Lude Farm near Penn, Buckinghamshire. All nine crew members aboard perished in the crash.

SSgt Knight is now buried in the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England. Albert W. Knight's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 12, in the top left wing (section A).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, www.398th.org