Karl Koetz

Karl Koetz (8 February 1908 – 11 July 1977) was a highly decorated Generalmajor 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. Karl Koetz was captured by British at the end of the war and was held until 1947.

Oberstleutnant Karl Koetz officially received the Oak Leaves from Adolf Hitler in the ceremony held in the Wolf's Lair in Rastenburg, on 30 January 1944, along with Oberstleutnant Albert Graf von der Goltz (316th Oak Leaves recipient), Major Josef-Georg Mulzer (367th), Rittmeister Andreas Thorey (349th) and Leutnant d.R. Heinrich Boigk (370th).

Awards and decorations

 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (13 June 1940)
 * 1st Class (1 July 1941)
 * Infantry Assault Badge
 * Eastern Front Medal (1 September 1942)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 2 October 1941 as Hauptmann and commander of II. / Infanterie-Regiment 46
 * 374th Oak Leaves on 1 January 1944 as Oberstleutnant and commander of Grenadier-Regiment 185
 * Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht (25 October 1944)