Alois Eisele

Alois Eisele (22 February 1914 – 4 December 2008) was a highly decorated Major in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient 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. He was also awarded the very rare Close Combat Clasp in Gold - one of only 631 awards of the kind to be ever bestowed.

Awards and decorations

 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (1 June 1940)
 * 1st Class (27 February 1941)
 * West Wall Medal (30 April 1940)
 * Wound Badge (1939)
 * in Black
 * in Silver
 * in Gold (15 December 1944)
 * Close Combat Clasp
 * in Bronze (?)
 * in Silver (27 October 1943)
 * in Gold (15 December 1944)
 * Eastern Front Medal (1 September 1942)
 * Infantry Assault Badge (13 October 1941)
 * German Cross in Gold on 17 July 1943 as Hauptmann in the 9./Grenadier-Regiment 61
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 15 December 1943 as Hauptmann and commander of III./Grenadier-Regiment 61
 * 695th Oak Leaves on 12 January 1945 as Major and commander of III./Grenadier-Regiment 61