Franz Kieslich

Franz Kieslich (17 March 1913 – 31 August 2012 ) was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II and recipient of the  Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. 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, Franz Kieslich was credited with flying 1078 missions, sinking 10 ships totaling 23,000 BRT, a destroyer and a submarine.

Awards

 * Aviator badge (22 February 1937)
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "1000"
 * Anschluss Medal (16 December 1938)
 * Sudetenland Medal (1 October 1939)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (5 May 1941)
 * 1st Class (10 August 1941)
 * Wound Badge (1939)
 * in Black (18 May 1944)
 * Eastern Front Medal (13 August 1942)
 * Crimea Shield (15 March 1943)
 * German Cross in Gold on 10 July 1942 as Oberleutnant in the 7./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 5 January 1943 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 7./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77
 * 619th Oak Leaves on 10 October 1944 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Schlachtgeschwader 77