Walther Gerhold

Walther Gerhold (8 June 1921 – 2 March 2013) was a Marine-Schreiber-Obergefreiter in the Kriegsmarine during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Gerhold was awarded the Knight's Cross for his contribution in the Neger one man mini-submarine attack on the ORP Dragon in the night of 5/6 July 1944. The presentation of the Knight's Cross was made by Konteradmiral Hellmuth Heye on 14 July 1944 in Lübeck. Gerhold died aged 91 in Lünen on 2 March 2013.

Awards and decorations

 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (24 December 1942)
 * 1st Class (8 July 1944)
 * Destroyer War Badge (24 December 1942)
 * Wound Badge (1939)
 * in Black (23 February 1942)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 6 July 1944 as Marine-Schreiber-Obergefreiter and Einmanntorpedofahrer in the Kleinkampfflottille 361
 * Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 18 July 1944