Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 18th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 1st, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 16th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 1st, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 1st, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 25th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

November 9th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

September 24th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Untersturmführer der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Stabskompanie, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 9 "Germania", 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking", Waffen-SS

Awarded on:

December 30th, 1944

Recommendations:
1) February 15th, 1944
SS-Oberscharführer Rutzen and his unit were deployed south of Nowo Buda in an engagement against superior enemy forces. Soviet tanks had breached his defences and were engaging our own tanks in his rear. Rutzen repulsed many infantry attacks and prevented the enemy from advancing into Nowo Buda.
He left his cover under heavy enemy fire, walked up to his own tanks and pointed out to them the armoured targets that had penetrated into his rear. During the three day long battle around Nowo Buda, Rutzen was calmness itself and invigorated his men time and time again by his personal example.
2) February 17, 1944:
SS-Oberscharführer Rutzen has once more distinguished himself notably during the break out from the encirclement near Tscherkassy.
When enemy infantry blocked the road between Dsursschenzy and Potschapinzy with machinegun fire, Rutzen and eight of his men extracted his unit by attacking the enemy without hesitation, coverd by a ditch. Two machinegun nests were destroyed with handgrenades. Rutzen held the newly captured position against renewed attacks by Soviet infantry and in doing so, enabled at least 100 men to cross the Dsursschenzy-Potschapinzy road without loss. After he had sent his own men on their way, he and a machinegunner covered the retreat. He had hardly assembled his men when in a forest to the south an assault group was firing on a transport of casualties. Rutzen and his unit opened fire immediately, attacked the Bolsjewists with bajonets and he became master of the situation by his determination and initiative.

Awarded for actions near Tscherkassy on February 15th, 1944 and February 17th, 1944.