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Hernando Today

Son Pays Respects After 65 Years

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By KYLE MARTIN, Hernando Today

Published: December 19, 2007

SPRING HILL - It was one cross among hundreds: White stone, about three feet high, glittery flecks sparkling in the sun.

But it belonged to him.

John T. Kneisel.

Dad.

For nearly 60 years, this cross has been planted in the immaculate lawn of the North Africa American Cemetery in Tunis, Tunisia, a port city on the Mediterranean.

But only cemetery staff knew it was there.

On the other side of the world in Brooklyn, N.Y., was a boy named Ken Kneisel who grew up with only stories and photos of his biological father. The Department of Defense telegram offering condolences to his mother succinctly stated that John Kneisel had died serving his country in the Western Europe area.

And it was left at that.

His widow remarried and shared little information about her former husband. When she died, Kneisel inherited his father's rusted rosary, a Purple Heart awarded for valor and a mystery.

Where was his father buried?

He had made a few half-hearted stabs at tracking down the answer as he built his own family of six children and 12 grandchildren.

His inquiries met a dead end when he learned a fire had destroyed many service records in 1973. He gave up, but his children picked up the trail as they grew older.

Last year, his son visited the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C. A kiosk there promised information on veterans from that conflict, so he punched in his grandfather's name. Here at last was the answer: Tunis.

Kneisel's children pulled together a cruise through the Mediterranean for their parents that would include a stop at the cemetery. Gerard Kneisel coordinated with the cemetery's staff to ensure someone would give his father and mother a tour. They left the day after Thanksgiving.

After crossing the Atlantic, there were still several stops before they reached Tunisia. Word spread on the ship about Kneisel's quest and strangers stopped him to remark on how inspirational his story was.

The fifth stop on the cruise "was a very exciting day," Kneisel said.

The assistant superintendent of the cemetery greeted them at the dock and drove them into town in a government vehicle. The highest ranking official from the U.S. Embassy there, Defense Attache Col. Warren P. Gunderman, greeted them at the cemetery.

"They wouldn't let me thank them," Kneisel said. "They said, 'Your father's service is enough.'"

In advance of Kneisel's visit, staff had highlighted the letters on his father's cross in gold.

It was the first time in six decades that anyone had paid the grave a visit.

Both the colonel and the superintendent stood at attention while Taps and the national anthem were played in John Kneisel's honor. A moment of silence was observed.

Though he felt far more relaxed than expected, Kneisel was still at a loss for what to do. The home video taken of that day captures him holding the Purple Heart on top of the cross, then holding it over his heart. His dark sunglasses cannot contain the tears.

Two bouquets were laid at the grave, one with a picture of all of his grandchildren and another of his great-grandchildren. They were each introduced by name.
Kneisel admits it was likely his imagination, but he thought he felt the earth rumble when he placed those bouquets by the cross.

He knelt in front of his father's marker, made the sign of the cross and kissed the warm stone. Kneisel said goodbye and began to walk away, but be returned several more times.

"I just didn't want to leave," he said, because "I know I'm never coming back."

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com

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