Helmut Pleß

Helmut Pleß (2 November 1918 – 25 December 1999) was a highly decorated Leutnant in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and 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.

Awards and decorations

 * Flugzeugführerabzeichen (14 December 1939)
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
 * in Bronze (17 March 1942)
 * in Silver (24 May 1942)
 * in Gold (12 September 1942)
 * in Gold with Pennant (9 March 1943)
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (5 June 1943)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (11 June 1940)
 * 1st Class (18 June 1940)
 * Wound Badge (1939)
 * in Black (1 August 1940)
 * Crimea Shield (20 March 1943)
 * German Cross in Gold (3 December 1942)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 June 1944 as Leutnant and pilot in the 4.(H)/Aufklärungs-Gruppe 31