Cpl Knutson 363rd Infantry AT gun crew

Cpl Stanley K. Knutson

Anti-Tank Company

363rd Infantry

91st Infantry Division

Stanley K. Knutson was born on June 21, 1914 in Oklee, Minnesota. During the 1930s his family spent some time in Montana and then decided to move back to Minnesota, to the city of Minneapolis. During this time, he worked at the Char-Gale manufacturing plant and also served in the Minnesota National Guard, and ended up leaving prior to the US becoming involved in WWII. A few years after the war broke out, Knutson made the decision to re-enlist in the US Army, on August 12, 1943. He attended basic at Fort Snelling, afterwards, joining the 363rd Infantry of the 91st Infantry Division. He joined the regiment’s Anti-Tank Company, serving with a 57mm anti-tank gun crew.

After training, the 91st received orders that they were heading overseas to Africa, for more training and then split up and attached to various infantry divisions that were fighting in Italy. Knutson and the rest of the 363rd Infantry fell in with the 34rd Infantry Division in July of 1944, fighting in the rough terrain of Italy, in the areas of Riparabella and Mt. Vaso. The 363rd first joined Task Force Ramey, with the objective of capturing high ground that overlooked the town of Chianni, Italy, in early July 1944. AT Co. was set up in mobile reserve, in case the enemy retaliated with the use of armor. On July 12, 1944, they rejoined the 91st, while they were approaching the Arno River. Their next objective was to take the town of Chianni. After taking the town of Chianni, they were near the banks of the Arno River.  It was here, where AT Co. repelled a number of German tanks. 

Throughout the war, AT Co. met many challenges, especially when it came to the terrain they were fighting in. The mountains, rocky terrain made it difficult to move their 57mm guns. They were forced to find whatever they could, to transport those guns, including trucks, jeeps, mules, etc. Additionally, the weather was very poor, which added to the struggle of hauling those guns through mountainous terrain. The anti-tank gun crews, of the 363rd, were utilized at different defensive points, to prevent the possibility of German armor punching through their lines, and also offering support as they punched through the Gothic Line and captured the Futa Pass. They were placed where they were needed, which means the men of AT Co. were separated throughout their time in Italy. When the war ended, Knutson returned to rural Minnesota and passed away on May 17, 1971. 

Thanks to Alex Drury for passing this uniform on to me. I got this information for this write-up from Alex’s fantastic write-up and some info from 363rd Infantry unit history.

Photo #3: 57mm AT gun crew in Italy

Photo #4: 57mm AT gun crew in France