Josef Bremm

Josef Bremm (3 May 1914 – 21 October 1998) was a German Officer, serving during World War II. He is noted for being the last recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves and Swords was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Career
Josef Bremm was born in Mannebach, Vulkaneifel on 3 May 1914. He joined the military service in the Wehrmacht in 1935 and spent two years as a Unteroffizier (sergeant) in Infanterie-Regiment 7 (7th infantry regiment) before he was discharged as an Unteroffizier in the military reserve. He was promoted to Leutnant of the reserves in 1938 and was listed with Infanterie-Regiment 425 (425th infantry regiment).

Awards

 * Infantry Assault Badge in Silver
 * Wound Badge in Gold
 * Tank Destruction Badge for Individual Combatants
 * Close Combat Clasp in Bronze (July 1943)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (27 June 1940)
 * 1st Class (15 December 1940)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
 * Knight's Cross on 18 February 1942 as Leutnant of the reserves and chief of the 5./Infanterie-Regiment 426
 * 165th Oak Leaves on 23 December 1942 as Oberleutnant of the reserves and chief of the 5./Grenadier-Regiment 426
 * 159th Swords on 9 May 1945 as Oberstleutnant and commander of Grenadier-Regiment 990