Wilhelm Mayer (fighter pilot)

Wilhelm Mayer (5 December 1917 – 4 January 1945) was a Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. On 4 January 1945, Wilhelm Mayer was killed after being ambushed by RAF Spitfires near Emsland, Nazi Germany. He was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross on 12 March 1945. During his career he was credited with 27 aerial victories, all on the Western Front.

Awards

 * Flugzeugführerabzeichen
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (31 March 1944)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * German Cross in Gold on 16 April 1944 as Feldwebel in the 7./Jagdgeschwader 27
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 12 March 1945 as Leutnant and Staffelführer of the 5./Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter"