Eberhard Schäfer

Eberhard Schäfer (25 August 1924 – 9 April 1944) was a highly decorated Oberleutnant in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Eberhard Schäfer was wounded on 6 April 1944 during an attack of Soviet troop concentrations 40 km north of Brody. His aircraft was hit by small arms fire, one bullet hitting his sidearm on his belt. The pistol and magazine were torn apart and bullets and fragments pierced his abdomen. Schäfer kept his consciousness during the 35-minute return flight. Despite immediate medical attention he died at the field hospital 608 in Zamość, Poland at 02:30 on 9 April 1944. Generalleutnant Hans Seidemann had presented Schäfer the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross at the field hospital on 8 April 1944. He was posthumously promoted to Oberleutnant and awarded the German Cross in Gold.

Awards and decorations

 * Flugzeugführerabzeichen (26 November 1942)
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold
 * in Bronze (20 August 1943)
 * in Silver (6 September 1943)
 * in Gold (21 October 1943)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (31 August 1943)
 * 1st Class (26 September 1943)
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (20 March 1944)
 * Wound Badge (1939)
 * in Black
 * in Silver
 * German Cross in Gold on 22 April 1944
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 20 April 1944 as Leutnant and Kommandoführer der Kgl. ungar. Kampfstaffel i. d. III./KG 4 "General Wever"