Adolf Peichl

Adolf Peichl was a Untersturmführer (Second Lieutenant), in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross; which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II. He was also one of only 631 men awarded the very rare Close Combat Clasp in Gold.

Adolf Peichl was born in Vienna on the 8 December 1917. He volunteered to join the SS and was posted to the SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Der Führer. He became one of the highest decorated NCO's in the German armed forces. Peichl survived the war and died in his home town of Vienna on the 4 June 1969.

Awards

 * Iron Cross 2nd class, 23 August 1941
 * Iron Cross 1st class, 28 October 1941
 * Tank Destruction Badge in Silver, 6 September 1943
 * Tank Destruction Badge in Silver, 6 September 1943 (Two awards for two tanks destroyed)
 * German Cross in Gold, 16 September 1943 (Oberscharführer and platoon commander, Der Führer Regiment)
 * Tank Destruction badge in Silver, 20 September 1943
 * Close Combat Clasp in Bronze, 22 October 1943
 * Close Combat Clasp in Silver, 22 October 1943
 * Close Combat Clasp in Gold, 26 October 1943 (Hauptscharführer, platoon commander,Der Führer Regiment)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, 16 October 1944


 * Wound Badge in Gold
 * Infantry Assault Badge in Silver
 * Tank Destruction Badge in Silver
 * Tank Destruction Badge in Gold (For destroying his fifth tank by hand)
 * Tank Destruction Badge in Gold (For destroying his tenth tank by hand)
 * Tank Destruction Badge in Silver (For destroying his eleventh tank by hand)