Johann Boos

Johann Boos (1 August 1915 – 20 December 2003) was a German Luftwaffe bomber pilot 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. Johann Boos was shot down in May 1943 by Soviet forces, he was taken prisoner and was held until 1948.

Career
Johann Boos was born on 1 August 1915 in Ney. His military career commenced in the army, as part of the 6th Company of Infantry Regiment 55. After basic training he volunteered in 1936 volunteered for the Luftwaffe. His pilot training took place in 1938. At the start of the war was serving with 9./KG 55, and flew operations during the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain, when he was wounded. He flew his 416th operation on 16 May 1943, when his He 111 was shot down during an attack on Kropotkin. Boos and his flight crew were captured after 3 days by the Soviet forces. On 9 October 1943, in his absence the Knight's Cross was presented to his parents. After 5 years as a POW he was released on 2 June 1948. Boos returned to Germany, and learned for the first time of his award of the Knight's Cross.

Post war
Boos worked as a worker in a power station, and as a laborer in the timber industry. From 1969 to 1980 he was Technical Assistant at the Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement in Koblenz, until he retired.

John Boos died in 2003 near Koblenz.

Awards

 * Flugzeugführerabzeichen (3 June 1939)
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
 * in Bronze (13 April 1941)
 * in Silver (25 June 1941)
 * in Gold (19 October 1941)
 * with Pennant (16 October 1942)
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (19 September 1941)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (12 June 1940)
 * 1st Class (20 April 1941)
 * Crimea Shield (15 March 1943)
 * German Cross in Gold (2 September 1942)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 October 1943 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 9./Kampfgeschwader 55