Otto Weßling

Otto Weßling (23 September 1913 – 19 April 1944) was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. 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. Otto Weßling claimed 83 victories, in 500 missions. He was shot down by a P-51 Mustang near Kassel on 19 April 1944. He managed to crash-land his damaged Messerschmitt Bf 109 and was killed by a strafing P-51. On 20 July 1944 he was posthumously promoted to Hauptmann der Reserves and received the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross.

Awards

 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (22 June 1940)
 * 1st Class (1 July 1940)
 * Wound Badge (1939)
 * in Black
 * German Cross in Gold on 11 May 1942 as Oberfeldwebel in the 9./Jagdgeschwader 3
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 3 September 1942 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 9./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"
 * 530th Oak Leaves on 20 July 1944 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 11./Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet"