Nisha Rathode (Editor)

Willi Koch

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Allegiance
  
Nazi Germany

Unit
  
Grenadier-Regiment 32

Service/branch
  
German Army

Years of service
  
1938–45

Name
  
Willi Koch

Rank
  
Oberfeldwebel

Willi Koch
Born
  
28 January 1917 Schlieben (
1917-01-28
)

Battles/wars
  
World War II Invasion of Poland Battle of France Operation Barbarossa Battle of Kiev (1941) Crimean Campaign (1941–1942) Siege of Sevastopol (1941-1942) Siege of Leningrad Battle of Berlin †

Died
  
April 29, 1945, Schwielowsee, Germany

Awards
  
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Willi Koch (28 January 1917 – 29 April 1945) was a highly decorated Oberfeldwebel 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. Willi Koch was killed on 29 April 1945, during the Battle of Berlin

Awards and decorations

  • Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (2 November 1939)
  • 1st Class (13 July 1942)
  • Close Combat Clasp
  • in Bronze
  • Eastern Front Medal
  • Wound Badge (1939)
  • in Black or in Silver
  • Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on 16 April 1944 as Feldwebel and commander of 6./Grenadier-Regiment 32
  • 612th Oak Leaves on 16 October 1944 as Oberfeldwebel and commander of 6./Grenadier-Regiment 32

    • References

    Willi Koch Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA