Operational Planning for My Lai: As brigade S-3, McKnight was involved in the planning and coordination of operations for the 11th Infantry Brigade, including the Task Force Barker operation that resulted in the My Lai massacre. The operational planning failed to include adequate safeguards for civilian protection or verification of intelligence about enemy presence.

Processing of Falsified After-Action Reports: The brigade operations section processed after-action reports claiming 128 enemy killed in action against only 3 weapons recovered. As S-3, McKnight was in a position to recognize this gross discrepancy as evidence that the "enemy" killed were actually unarmed civilians, but the reports were forwarded through the chain of command without correction.

Charges Filed and Dropped: McKnight was among those charged by the Army following the Peers Commission investigation. His charges related to his staff role in the brigade operations that led to the massacre and cover-up. Like most My Lai defendants, his charges were dropped before trial.

Failure of Staff Officer Accountability: McKnight's case illustrated the broader failure to hold staff officers accountable for their roles in enabling atrocities. Staff officers who planned operations, processed intelligence, and handled reports were essential links in the chain that both enabled the massacre and concealed it afterward.

Peers Commission Identification: The Peers Commission identified McKnight as one of the officers who should face charges in connection with My Lai. The commission documented the role of brigade staff in processing information that should have exposed the massacre and recommended prosecution.