Willibald Borowietz

Willibald Borowietz (17 September 1893 – 1 July 1945) was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded several divisions. He was also a recipient 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. Borowietz was captured when the Afrika Korps surrendered to Allied forces. He was held as a POW by the United States and died in their captivity in an auto accident. His wife, Eva Ledien, was of Jewish descent. She committed suicide in October 1938 so that their children could be Aryanized. This freed Willibald to follow his career. Eva's sister, Käthe (Ledien) Bosse, was killed in Ravensbrück concentration camp on 16 December 1944.

Awards and decorations

 * Iron Cross (1914)
 * 2nd Class (6 October 1914)
 * 1st Class (25 June 1915)
 * Wound Badge (1914)
 * in Black (4 May 1918)
 * Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (21 December 1935)
 * World War Commemorative Medal with Swords (Hungary, 1936)
 * War Commemorative Medal 1915/1918 with swords (Bulgaria, 1938)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (25 September 1939)
 * 1st Class (11 June 1940)
 * Certificate of Recognition of the Commander of the Army for outstanding performance on the battlefield (1941)
 * General Assault Badge (14 April 1941)
 * Eastern Front Medal (1 August 1942)
 * Armband Afrika (1943)
 * Silver Medal of Military Valor
 * German Cross in Gold (4 June 1944)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 24 July 1941 as Oberstleutnant and commander of Schützen-Regiment 10
 * 235th Oak Leaves on 10 May 1943 as Generalmajor and commander of 15.Panzer-Division
 * Mentioned twice in the Wehrmachtbericht (12 April 1941 and 11 May 1943)