Hans Thurner

Hans Thurner (24 October 1918 – 11 June 1944) was a highly decorated Hauptmann 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. Hans Thurner was killed on 11 June 1944, and was posthumously awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross on 17 September 1944,

Awards and decorations

 * Flugzeugführerabzeichen
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (18 September 1940)
 * 1st Class (30 September 1940)
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (22 April 1941)
 * German Cross in Gold (1 November 1943)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 6 August 1941 as Leutnant and pilot in III./Kampfgeschwader 55
 * 587th Oak Leaves on 17 September 1944 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Kampfgeschwader 6