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Strapatin, Stefan (Waffen SS)

Date of birth:
October 15th, 1922 (Ofzenitza, Austria-Hungary)
Date of death:
June 15th, 1990 (Weinstadt-Endersbach/Waiblingen, Germany)
Service number:
SS-Nr.: // NSDAP-Nr.:
Nationality:
Romanian (1861-1947, Kingdom)

Biography

Promotions:
SS-Rottenführer
SS-Unterscharführer
SS-Oberscharführer

Romanian Army veteran
00.00.1943: transferred into the Waffen-SS

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
March 25th, 1944
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Bronze version.
Panzerkampfabzeichen (ohne Zahl)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 27th, 1944
Panzervernichtungsabzeichen in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 27th, 1944
Panzervernichtungsabzeichen in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 15th, 1944
Awarded following the destruction of two tanks in close combat during the battle of Sinimäe
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 1944
Panzervernichtungsabzeichen in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 1944
Panzervernichtungsabzeichen in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
SS- Rottenführer (Corporal)
Unit:
Fernsprechtruppführer, II. Bataillon, (niederländische) SS-Freiwilliges-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 49 "De Ruyter"
Awarded on:
November 16th, 1944
In the late summer of 1944, as the Narva front was pushed further into Estonia, SS-Rottenführer Strapatin found himself on standby near a friendly vehicle park when he became aware of an imminent hostile presence. Knowing the catastrophe that would result from the loss of so many vehicles, he rallied his nearby comrades and led them into battle against the attacking Soviets. After Strapatin had personally destroyed 2 Soviet tanks with the Panzerfaust (raising his total of destroyed tanks to 4), he and his group were able to defeat the accompanying Red Army infantry.

The Soviet attack was repulsed, and as a result of his actions not only was the vehicle park saved from destruction, but also a nearby Bataillon command post. For this decisive success Strapatin was awarded the Knight's Cross.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photos