Walter Krauß

Walter Krauß (11 March 1917 – 17 July 1943) was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients of 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. Walter Krauß was killed on 17 July 1943, after Soviet bombers attacked the German airfield at Orel. He was posthumously promoted Major and on 3 January 1944 was awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross.

Awards and decorations

 * Aviator badge
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * Eastern Front Medal (22 August 1942)
 * German Cross in Gold on 24 April 1942 as Oberleutnant in the Stabs-Staffe/Sturzkampfgeschwader 2
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 16 November 1942 as Oberleutnant and pilot in the 2.(H)/Aufklärungs-Gruppe 21
 * 363rd Oak Leaves on 3 January 1944 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"