Josef Brandner

Josef Wilhelm Brandner (1 September 1915 – 6 June 1996) was a highly decorated panzer ace in the Wehrmacht during World War II who was one of only 882 recipients who were awarded 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.

Awards and decorations

 * Sudetenland Medal with Prague Castle Bar (1 October 1938)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (14 October 1941)
 * 1st Class (16 January 1942)
 * Eastern Front Medal (August 1, 1942)
 * Wound Badge (1939)
 * in Black (23 March 1942)
 * in Silver (21 August 1943)
 * Infantry Assault Badge in Silver (4 April 1942)
 * German Cross in Gold (14 September 1943)
 * Honour Roll Clasp of the Army (7 September 1944)
 * General Assault Badge (100) (20 October 1944)
 * Armband Courland (4 May 1945)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 17 March 1945 as Hauptmann in Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 912
 * 846th Oak Leaves on 26 April 1945 as Major in Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 912
 * Close Combat Clasp
 * in Bronze (11 April 1945)