Karl Henze

Karl Henze (20 January 1916 – 25 September 1985) was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe 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. Karl Henze was taken prisoner at the end of the war and later joined the post war Luftwaffe retiring as an Oberst. During his career he flew 1098 missions.

Awards and decorations

 * Aviator badge
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "1000"
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * Wound Badge (1939)
 * in Black
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (24 November 1941)
 * German Cross in Gold (13 January 1942)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 15 July 1942 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 1./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77
 * 481st Oak Leaves on 20 May 1944 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Schlachtgeschwader 77