Helmut Hudel

Helmut Hudel (4 July 1915 – 11 March 1985) was a highly decorated Major 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. Helmut Hudel was captured by American troops in April 1945 in the Ruhr Pocket.

Awards and decorations

 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (2 July 1941)
 * 1st Class (21 July 1941)
 * Eastern Front Medal (8 August 1942)
 * Panzer Badge
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 27 May 1942 as Hauptmann and chief of 1./Panzer-Regiment 7
 * 219th Oak Leaves on 2 April 1943 as Hauptmann and commander of 1./Panzer-Regiment 7