Johann Badum

Johann Badum (2 March 1921 – 12 January 1943) was a former German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Career
Badum was born on 2 March 1921 at Ruthweiler near Pfalz. By January 1942 Badum was serving with the Ergängzungsstaffel of Jagdgeschwader 77 on the south area of the Eastern front. On 26 February Badum claimed a Pe-2 bomber for his first victory. In April 1942 Badum transferred to 6 staffel of JG 77, with three victories in 45 missions by this time. He claimed a further 17 victories in July 1942 to raise his victory total to 29 and August recorded another 14 victories, He claimed his 51st victory on 16 September. Leutnant Badum was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross in October. In early December 1942, Badum, as part of II./JG 77, was posted to North Africa. Badum quickly claimed three DAF Curtiss P-40 fighters to raise his total to 54. On 12 January 1943 Badum was shot down and killed in Bf 109 G-2 “Yellow 7”, in combat with USAAF P-38 fighters near Giordani in Libya.

Badum was credited with 54 victories in some 300 missions, 51 over the Eastern front, including 14 Il-2 Sturmoviks.

Awards

 * Pilots Badge
 * Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (13 September 1942)
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Fighter Pilots in Gold
 * German Cross in Gold on 3 October 1942 as Leutnant in the II./Jagdgeschwader 77
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 15 October 1942 as Leutnant and pilot in the 6./Jagdgeschwader 77