Career
The Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Rettemeier was commissioned as a Leutnant in 1936, and was assigned to the Panzertruppe. After the outbreak of World World War II, he saw combat in France, North Africa and the Eastern Front, assuming command of a company and battalion-sized formations.
He was also in charge of a training unit for Panther tank drivers and officer candidates in the fall of 1944.
Rettemeier worked in the steel industry before joining the Bundeswehr in 1956, leading panzer regiments and brigades, then served as X.O. in panzer and jäger divisions. During his assignment in Taiwan, Rettemeier aided the creation and training for armored troops of the Republic of China Army.
He died in Bad Nauheim in 1997. Bibliography.
