Helmut Bruck

Helmut Bruck (16 February 1913 – 25 August 2001) was a highly decorated Oberst 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. During his career he flew 973 missions.

Awards and decorations

 * Aviator badge
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "900"
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (13 September 1939)
 * 1st Class (21 May 1940)
 * German Cross in Gold (20 October 1942)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 4 September 1941 as Hauptmann and Staffelkapitän in the 1. / Sturzkampfgeschwader 77
 * 193rd Oak Leaves on 19 February 1943 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77
 * Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht (3 May 1944)