Oskar von Boddien

Oskar von Boddien (19 April 1900 – 6 January 1942) was a highly decorated Oberst in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the Aufklärungs-Abteilung 22 (22nd Reconnaissance Battalion) of the 22nd Infantry Division. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). 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. Oskar von Boddien was killed 6 January 1942 near Yevpatoria, Ukraine. He was posthumously promoted to Oberst and was awarded Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross.

Oberst (Colonel) Friedrich-Wilhelm Müller, commander of Infanterie-Regiment 105 (105th Infantry Regiment) of the 72nd Infantry Division and charged by the AOK 11 with the leadership of the battles for Yevpatoria, on 6 January 1942 ordered the Aufklärungs-Abteilung 22 to attack the harbor area and conquer the city. Von Boddien together with the 1st Squadron under Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant) von Frankenberg commence the attack. Von Boddien was mortally hit by machine gun fire and von Frankenberg was wounded.

Awards and decorations

 * Iron Cross (1914)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918
 * Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (5 July 1941)
 * 1st Class (7 July 1941)
 * Wound Badge (1939)
 * in Black
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 2 October 1941 as Oberstleutnant and commander of Divisions-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 22
 * 58th Oak Leaves on 8 January 1942 (posthumously) as Oberstleutnant and commander of Divisions-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 22
 * Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 12 January 1942