- Period:
 - Second World War (1939-1945)
 - Rank:
  - Major (Squadron Leader)
 - Unit:
  - Kommandeur, I. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 6, Luftwaffe 
 - Awarded on:
  - November 22nd, 1943
 
Awarded after flying over 200 bomber sorties. Just after taking command of the 2./KG 51 he destroyed (among other things) 16 trains and 30 aircraft on the ground. He also damaged an important bridge near Remontnaya. Later he scored direct hits on 4 merchant ships (with 14500 GRT) as well as a heavy cruiser under construction in the port of Nikolayev. During operations in the Mediterranean during 1943 he added to his successes by sinking 2 freighters (each with 8000 GRT) off the coast of North Africa.