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. Grüner was killed during the Battle of the Korsun-Cherkasy Pocket. Iron Cross (1939) "Prinz Eugen" Bibliography.
Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (5 October 1939) 1st Class (10 July 1941) Wound Badge in Black (?) Eastern Front Medal Honour Roll Clasp of the Army (29 September 1941) German Cross in Gold on 18 October 1941 as Oberleutnant in the 1./Panzer-Regiment 33 Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight"s Cross on 25 November 1941 as Oberleutnant and chief of 1./Panzer-Regiment 33 "Prinz Eugen" 436th Oak Leaves on 26 March 1944 as Hauptmann and commander of I./Panzer-Regiment 2.
