Herbert Wittmann

Herbert Wittmann (3 January 1914, Döllnitz – 26 July 2007) was a highly decorated Oberst 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. Herbert Wittmann joined the post-war Deutsche Luftwaffe in 1956, retiring in 1972.

Awards and decorations

 * Spanish Cross in Bronze with Swords (6 June 1939)
 * Flugzeugführerabzeichen
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (19 May 1940)
 * 1st Class (5 June 1940)
 * German Cross in Gold (15 November 1943)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 23 November 1941 as Hauptmann and Staffelkapitän of the Stabsstaffel/Kampfgeschwader 53 "Legion Condor"
 * 735th Oak Leaves on 11 February 1945 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Kampfgeschwader 53 "Legion Condor"
 * Ärmelband Condor Legion