Army Sgt. Knighten was assigned to the 1087th Transportation Support Company, Army National Guard, Fort Polk, Louisiana. Knighten died as a result of heat-related causes while in a convoy from Camp Bilad heading to Camp Pennsylvania. Knighten’s son, Spc. Floyd G. Knighten III, deployed with the Louisiana Army National Guard in the spring, joined his father on active duty in the Middle East. Both father and son served in the same company. Sgt. Knighten repaired the trucks; his son drove them. Floyd was a friendly, but quiet man who liked people, fishing and cooking. He served in the military his entire adult life, first with the Navy and then with the National Guard. Floyd joined the Navy after graduating from Sicily Island High School in 1969. He served in the Navy until 1973 and then joined the National Guard. In 1984, he became a full-time employee with the National Guard’s Jena unit. He deployed for the Gulf War in November 1989 and served there until May 1990. When his company deployed again in April, most of 1087th flew out of England Airpark, but Floyd left first, traveling by ship with the equipment. Nearly 400 people showed up for his funeral. The commanding general of the Louisiana National Guard was there, and six active or retired guardsmen carried his coffin. He was buried over the hill from his home in his dress green uniform, medals on his chest, his hands gloved. Floyd is survived by his wife Lisa and son.
Army Sgt. Knighten was assigned to the 1087th Transportation Support Company, Army National Guard, Fort Polk, Louisiana. Knighten died as a result of heat-related causes while in a convoy from Camp Bilad heading to Camp Pennsylvania. Knighten’s son, Spc. Floyd G. Knighten III, deployed with the Louisiana Army National Guard in the spring, joined his father on active duty in the Middle East. Both father and son served in the same company. Sgt. Knighten repaired the trucks; his son drove them. Floyd was a friendly, but quiet man who liked people, fishing and cooking. He served in the military his entire adult life, first with the Navy and then with the National Guard. Floyd joined the Navy after graduating from Sicily Island High School in 1969. He served in the Navy until 1973 and then joined the National Guard. In 1984, he became a full-time employee with the National Guard’s Jena unit. He deployed for the Gulf War in November 1989 and served there until May 1990. When his company deployed again in April, most of 1087th flew out of England Airpark, but Floyd left first, traveling by ship with the equipment. Nearly 400 people showed up for his funeral. The commanding general of the Louisiana National Guard was there, and six active or retired guardsmen carried his coffin. He was buried over the hill from his home in his dress green uniform, medals on his chest, his hands gloved. Floyd is survived by his wife Lisa and son.
