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Walter Neitzel

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Allegiance
  
Nazi Germany

Name
  
Walter Neitzel

Service/branch
  
German Army

Years of service
  
?–1944

Died
  
September 2, 1944

Born
  
9 May 1913 Greifenberg (
1913-05-09
)

Rank
  
Oberstleutnant (Posthumously)

Commands held
  
I./Grenadier-Regiment 409

Battles/wars
  
World War II Battle of France Operation Barbarossa Siege of Leningrad Demyansk Pocket

Awards
  
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Battles and wars
  
Battle of France, Operation Barbarossa, Siege of Leningrad, Demyansk Pocket, World War II

Walter Neitzel (9 May 1913 – 2 September 1944) was a highly decorated Oberstleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. 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. Walter Neitzel died on 2 September 1944 in Kaikasi, Latvia. He was posthumously promoted to Oberstleutnant and on 5 September 1944 was awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross.

Awards and decorations

  • Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (29 November 1940)
  • 1st Class (29 July 1941)
  • Wound Badge
  • in Black
  • Infantry Assault Badge in Silver
  • Close Combat Clasp
  • in Bronze
  • Honour Roll Clasp of the Army (7 August 1943)
  • Eastern Front Medal
  • German Cross in Gold on 30 July 1942 as Oberleutnant in the 3./Infanterie-Regiment 409
  • Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on 2 June 1943 as Hauptmann and leader of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 409
  • 576th Oak Leaves on 5 September 1944 as Major and commander of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 409

    • References

    Walter Neitzel Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA