Bridge in Rupert dedicated in honor of U.S. Army Corporal Clemon Knapp

By Autumn Shelton, RealWV

RUPERT, W.Va. — U.S. Army Corporal Clemon Knapp had a history with bridges. 

At just 22 years old, Knapp was instrumental in securing the bridge at Remagen in Germany during World War II. Now, seven years after Knapp’s passing, a bridge in Rupert has been named in his honor. 

On Saturday, November 30, Knapp’s friends and family gathered together to officially dedicate the former Big Clear Creek Bridge over Big Clear Creek as the U.S. Army Corporal Clemon Knapp Memorial Bridge.

Knapp, who had been a resident of Meadow Bluff in Greenbrier County, passed away on May 31, 2017. Knapp, along with his wife, Zella, raised three children and was a member of Big Clear Creek Baptist Church. He had been an active participant in government, having once served for 10 years as the Mayor of Rupert, and he was an independent truck driver for the Meadow River Lumber Company, Knapp Transfer, and Burns Motor Freight.

However, before all of this, Knapp began his service with the First U.S. Army, Ninth-Armored Division in the European Theatre of World War II in 1942. He was a Tank Gunner who was present at the Battle of the Bulge. Then, in March 1945, Knapp and his fellow Americans captured the Ludendorff Bridge spanning the Rhine River during the 18-day Battle of Remagen. 

Ken Hechler, a former U.S. Representative, WV Secretary of State, and Ninth-Armored Division combat historian, wrote in his book “The Bridge at Remagen” that as American forces began to cross the Ludendorff Bridge into Germany, explosions began to rock the bridge. Yet, it remained intact. 

After the explosions, a 15-ft. bomb crater had developed in the bridge’s approach ramp. Under fire, Knapp used his tank dozer to quickly fill in the crater. He then provided continued fire support for crossing troops. 

For Knapp’s actions that day, he was awarded three Bronze Stars and a Silver Star. He was also honored by the government of France with the French Legion of Honor Medal. 

Saturday’s bridge dedication was made possible through the efforts of his family, and through Senate Concurrent Resolution 8, introduced to the state legislature in January 2024.