Career
The Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded by the Third Reich to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Pălăghiţă served on the Eastern Front, a battalion commander in the 94th Infantry Regiment of the 19th Infantry Division. He was awarded the Knight"s Cross during the defense of the Kuban bridgehead, when he led a counterattack that saved German forces from being encircled.
Just over a month later he was killed in action and was posthumuously promoted twice: first from Major to Lieutenant Colonel, then three days later to full Colonel.