Project 888
Name: Andrew Nick KNERNSCHIELD
Rank / Rating: S1-Seaman First ClassService #: 866 91 00 DOB: Apr 06, 1909 From: Carrollton, MO Parents: Mr and Mrs Fred C. Knernschield Went Aboard: Apr 25, 1944 Age When Ship Went Down: 36 years, 3 months, 24 days Spouse: Marie Helen Buban Knernschield Children: Grandchildren: Bio Submitted By: Patricia Stephens (Admin) |
 KNERNSCHIELD, Andrew N |
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"Nick" was of German heritage. He was born April 6, 1909 in Lohman, Cole Co., MO and baptized May 16, 1909 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Lohman. His baptism is recorded in the church record written in German. Nick's name was recorded as "Andreas Nicolaus." The church was established in the fall of 1852 by German immigrants who desired to worship in their own community in Lohman, MO.
Nick was the 7th of 9 children born to Frederick Christ and Emma Margaret Linhardt Knernschield. His sibilngs were Otto A., Robert H., Lydia E., Theodore E., Tracy M., Maria A., Andrew, Adam J. and Martha.
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| He attended school in Jefferson City, MO. In about 1930, he began working in the grocery business at a Kroger store. A few years later he purchased the M. S. Porter & Sons store in Carrollton, MO. "He made the acquaintance of citizens in the entire Carrollton territory. He was possessed of a friendly disposition and he met people easily. His career as a grocery man was made successful through his ability and pleasing personality", according to a local news article. Nick married Marie Helen Buban on Jun 20, 1938 in Jefferson City. Marie was a native of the area. He registered for the draft in his hometown of Jefferson City, Cole Co., MO on Oct 16, 1940. He was 31 years old and listed his wife as his primary contact. He was managing his business - Knernschields Grocery, Jefferson City. Nick enlisted in the US Navy on Oct 5, 1943 at Kansas City, MO. It is apparent that his age and business experience was of value to the Navy. He entered basic training at Farragut, ID, on Oct 12, 1943 and upon completion, most likely by the end of Dec 1943, he had advanced to the rate of S1c (Seaman 1st class). It took most men at least 6 months to one year of service in the Navy to be advanced to S1c. On New Year's Day, Jan 1, 1944, Nick arrived at the Naval Station at Shoemaker, CA for "general duty". The type of work he performed there is not known. On Feb 28, 1944 he received orders to board a ship at San Francisco for transport to the forward area where he was to serve on board USS Indianapolis CA-35. After a two month delay, Nick was received aboard Indianapolis on April 25, 1944. It is not known for certain where Indianapolis was located when he boarded, but was very likely in the Western Carolinas where she had completed raids on Palau, Yap, Ulithi and Woleai islands by April 2, 1944. This may have been the reason he was delayed in reporting aboard. Nick's time on board was relatively quiet the first two months but that ended when Indianapolis began her next operation. From June 11 to July 23, 1944, Indianapolis took part in the Marianas Operation and Assault, which resulted in the capture and occupation of Saipan and Guam. A combined fleet met the enemy on Jun 19, 1944, in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Indianapolis shot down one torpedo plane during the action. Indy returned to Saipan on Jun 23, 1944 to resume fire support there and six days later moved to Tinian, northern Mariana Islands, to destroy shore installations. In Sept and Oct, 1944, Indianapolis saw action on her return to the Western Carolinas where she participated in the capture and occupation of the southern Palau Islands. Nick was now entitled to wear the Asiatic-Pacific ribbon with three bronze star devices for these battle actions. He would go on to earn two additional star devices for operations at Iwo Jima from Feb 15 to Mar 1, 1945 and for operations in Okinawa Gunto during March 1945. Nick was one of the 20 men who were injured during a Kamikaze attack of Indianapolis on March 31, 1945, off Okinawa. He received hospital treatment but was able to return to the ship. He was awarded a Purple Heart on Apr 3rd during an on board ceremony held by Admiral Raymond Spruance. Indianapolis returned to US to complete repairs from the kamikaze attack and for overhaul. She arrived at Mare Island Navy Yard, CA, on May 3, 1945. Nick was grated leave and returned home to Carrollton, MO, in June where he spent time with his wife, Marie, and other family. He returned to Indy in time for her departure from Mare Island on July 16, 1945. He would never see his family again. Nick was reported missing after the sinking of Indianapolis on July 30, 1945 when she was hit by two torpedoes from Japanese submarine I-58. Marie received a telegram on V-J Day, Sept 2, 1945, notifying her that Nick was missing in action. She received no further word until a second telegram arrived on Tues, Sept 18, 1945, informing her there was no hope for her husband's survival. Marie continued Nick's dream by operating his grocery business after his death. His name is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Philippines. He was awarded the Purple Heart, posthumously. This was his second award. A large granite headstone inscribed with Andrew's and Marie's names and marriage date stands in Saint Mary's church cemetery, Carrollton, Carroll Co., MO. Source: The Carrollton Democrat, (MO), Fri, May 25, 1945, p. 1; citing service on board Indy The Carrollton Democrat, (Carrollton, MO), Fri, Sept 21, 1945, p. 1; citing No Hope for Survival. History of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Loham, MO. https://www.stpaulslutheranlohman.org/history/ Ancestry.com. U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT; citing baptism, St. John's Lutheran Church, Lohman, MO; Book 1909, p. 110 USN WWII Muster Rolls, 1938-1949; Ancestry database USN Ships, Stations and Other Naval Activities, 1939-1949; Ancestry database USN, Indianapolis War Diary of April 3, 1945; citing awarding of Purple Heart USN USS Indianapolis CA-35 Final Sailing List, 17 Aug 1945; Ancestry database Navy Department, Casualty Section, Office of Public Information (1946): Combat Connected Naval Casualties, WWII, by States; Vol. AL-MO; MO, p. 14; citing Andrew Nick Knernschield & wife Marie Helen. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77108541/andrew_nicholas-knernschield: accessed June 21, 2025), memorial page for Andrew Nicholas “Nick” Knernschield (6 Apr 1909-30 Jul 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 77108541, citing Saint Marys Cemetery, Carrollton, Carroll County, Missouri; citing DOB of Andrew and marriage date. | |
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