He was also one of only four conscripted soldiers to receive the (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). The Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Iron Cross (1939) Bibliography.
Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (1 December 1941) 1st Class (10 March 1943) Eastern Front Medal (28 August 1942) Kraftfahrbewährungsabzeichen in Silver (1 May 1944) Wound Badge (1939) in Silver (25 July 1944) Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight"s Cross on 31 March 1943 as Obergefreiter and MG-Schütze (machine gunner) in Stabskompanie/Panzer-Pionier-Battalion 32 678th Oak Leaves on 9 December 1944 as Feldwebel and Zugführer (platoon leader) in 1./Panzer-Pionier-Battalion 32.
