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. He was also awarded the very rare in Gold one of only 631 awards. He was killed in action on 13 March 1945 in the Heiligenbeil Pocket near Rosenwalde.
Iron Cross (1939) (Winter 1944) Bibliography.
Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (8 July 1941) 1st Class (29 August 1941) Wound Badge in Black in Silver Infantry Assault Badge Eastern Front Medal Close Combat Clasp in Bronze (1 June 1943) in Silver (Winter 1944) in Gold (8 March 1945) Honour Roll Clasp of the Army (25 February 1945) German Cross in Gold on 24 April 1944 as Hauptmann in Grenadier-Regiment 176 Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight"s Cross on 9 December 1944 as Hauptmann and commander of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 176 757th Oak Leaves on 28 February 1945 as Hauptmann and commander of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 176.
