The Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Josef Abel was captured by American troops in April 1945 and was released in September 1945. Iron Cross (1939) Bibliography.
Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (22 June 1940) 1st Class (26 July 1941) Wound Badge (1939) in Black in Silver (5 September 1942) Infantry Assault Badge in Silver (22 July 1943) Eastern Front Medal Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross on 23 November 1941 as Oberfeldwebel and Zugführer (platoon leader) of the 7./Infanterie-Regiment 217.
