Ernst Buffa

Ernst Joachim Valentin Gustav Buffa  (14 February 1893 – 19 September 1971) was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Luftwaffe during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Ernst Buffa was taken prisoner by American troops in 1945 and was held until 1947.

Awards and decorations

 * Iron Cross (1914)
 * 2nd Class (27 January 1915)
 * 1st Class (18 January 1917)
 * Ottoman War Medal (Harp Madalyası), better known as the "Gallipoli Star" or the "Iron Crescent" (20 October 1917)
 * Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (11 January 1935)
 * Wehrmacht Long Service Award 1st to 4th Class (2 October 1936)
 * Anschluss Medal (1 September 1939)
 * Sudetenland Medal with Prague Castle Bar (9 July 1940)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (19 May 1940)
 * 1st Class (3 June 1940)
 * Anti-Aircraft Flak Battle Badge
 * German Cross in Gold (9 November 1943)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 September 1944 as Generalleutnant and commander of 12. Flak-Division(mot.)