Joseph Thomas Knott Jr. (born April 16, 1926) is an American politician, farmer, businessman, and retired non-commissioned military officer.

He served in the 94th Infantry Division of the United States Army during World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart.

[3] After graduating from Wakelon High School in May of 1944, Knott registered for the United States Army on April 18, 1944.

[4] He was wounded by the Nazi Army in March 1945 while fighting near the Rhine River and was awarded the Purple Heart.

[6] In September 2019, Knott presented a program titled Remembrances of WWII: A Veteran’s Perspective at the Wake Forest Historical Museum for the General James Moore Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution as part of the chapter's celebrations for Constitution Week.