Erich Schmidt (soldier)

Erich Schmidt (10 February 1911 – 13 November 1977) was a highly decorated Major in the Wehrmacht during World War II who was one of only 882 recipients who were awarded 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.

Awards and decorations

 * Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th Class
 * Sudetenland Medal with Prague Castle Bar (25 October 1939)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (6 October 1939)
 * 1st Class (28 May 1940)
 * Wound Badge (1939)
 * in Black (?)
 * in Silver (?)
 * Panzer Badge
 * Eastern Front Medal
 * German Cross in Gold (30 May 1942)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 9 June 1944 as Major and commander of schwere Panzer-Abteilung 507
 * 877th Oak Leaves on 9 May 1945 as Major and leader of the Panzer-Regiment of the Führer-Grenadier-Division
 * Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht (30 August 1944)