Otto Gaiser

Otto Gaiser (5 October 1919 – 22 January 1944) was a German 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. Gaiser claimed his first kill on 16 March 1943. That day, he shot down a Soviet LaGG-3 fighter near Vyazma. He achieved his 10th victory on 11 July, when he claimed another LaGG-3 shot down. Gaiser claimed 17 victories in August, including five Soviet Il-2 Sturmovik ground-attack aircraft shot down on 14 August (his 24th through 28th victories). On 22 January 1944, Gaiser was last seen in combat with Il-2 Sturmovik fighters near Berdychiv, Ukraine. He has remained missing to this day. It is thought he became a victim of the Soviet ground defences. On 9 June 1944 he was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross and promoted to Leutnant. Before his death, Gaiser was credited with 66 victories in 380 missions. All his air victories were achieved over the Eastern front and included 21 Il-2 Sturmoviks. In addition he claimed eight unconfirmed victories.

Awards

 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (3 April 1944)
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * German Cross in Gold (28 January 1944)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 June 1944 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in 10. / Jagdgeschwader 51