Wilhelm Kohler

Wilhelm Kohler (26 January 1917 – 30 September 2002) was a highly decorated Major i.G. 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. Wilhelm Kohler was captured by French troops in April 1945, and was released in July. He later joined the Bundeswehr in 1956 and served til retirement in 1975.

Awards and decorations

 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (3 July 1941)
 * 1st Class (23 July 1941)
 * Eastern Front Medal
 * Wound Badge (1939)
 * in Black
 * in Silver
 * in Gold
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 10 December 1942 as Hauptmann and commander of a Kampfgruppe / Grenadier-Regiment 195
 * 607th Oak Leaves on 4 October 1944 as Hauptmann and Ordonnanz-Offizier Kampfgruppe / 9.Panzer-Division