Franz Graßmel

Franz Graßmel (8 January 1906 – 30 June 1985), was a highly decorated German Fallschirmjäger (paratrooper) during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). 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.

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (10 June 1941)
 * 1st Class (10 June 1941)
 * Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe (20 September 1942)
 * Cuff title "Kreta" (20 May 1942)
 * Wound Badge (1939)
 * in Black (18 December 1942)
 * in Silver (10 February 1945)
 * German Cross in Gold on 22 July 1943 as Hauptmann in the III./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 4
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 8 April 1944 as Major and commander of the III./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 4
 * (868th) Oak Leaves on 8 May 1945 as Major and commander of the Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 20