Gerhard Kruse

Gerhard Kruse (1 December 1918 – 11 April 1945) was a Major of the Reserves in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient 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.

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (6 October 1939)
 * 2nd Class (3 September 1941)
 * German Cross in Gold on 10 June 1943 as Oberleutnant in the 6./Grenadier-Regiment 48
 * Honour Roll Clasp of the Army (5 March 1945)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 23 February 1944 as Hauptmann of the Reserves and leader of the I./Grenadier-Regiments 48
 * 534th Oak Leaves on 27 July 1944 as Hauptmann of the Reserves and leader of the II./Grenadier-Regiments 48