Erich Pietzonka

Erich Pietzonka (4 October 1906 – 18 December 1989), was a German Fallschirmjäger during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). 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

 * Wehrmacht Long Service Award
 * 4th Class (2 October 1936)
 * 3rd Class (17 December 1936)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (28 May 1940)
 * 1st Class (28 May 1940)
 * Wound Badge (1939) in Black (21 July 1941)
 * Italian Bronze Medal of Military Valor (9 February 1942)
 * German Cross in Gold on 4 August 1942 as Major in the II./Falschirmjäger-Regiment 2
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 5 September 1944 as Oberstleutnant and commander of Falschirmjäger-Regiment 7
 * 584th Oak Leaves on 16 September 1944 as Oberst and commander of Falschirmjäger-Regiment 7