Maurice W. Knutson was born in Wisconsin May 24, 1904 and died in California September 2, 1974 He enlisted in the Navy at Rugby, North Dakota on November 16, 1942; was discharged November 5, 1946; began his Naval Reserve service November 22, 1946 and retired August 27, 1962 with 20 years service. Upon retirement, he was an E-7, Chief TRADEVMAN (Training Device Man). During WW2, his rate is listed as "CSPG" for all his 4 years active duty, as shown in the paperwork obtained from the National Archives. CS rate can be found to be Culinary Specialist. No reference can be found that relates to "CSPG". Because of his age at enlistment, a logical conclusion is that he was in fact a cook/baker; probably for the officer's mess. His WW2 service record shows he was stationed at Naval Air Stations at Kameohe Bay, Barber's Point Oahu, Midway, and then back in California between late 1944 and 1945.
Knutson's service record shows that he was entitled to the Asiatic/Pacific medal, American Campaign medal, Good Conduct medal. WW2 Victory medal, National Defense medal, and Naval Reserve medal. This group includes only his mounted medal bar with his 1945 named and dated Good Conduct, Naval Reserve, and American Campaign medals.
