Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

Zugführer 14./Grenadier-Regiment 21

Awarded on:

October 22nd, 1943

While serving as a Pak gun Zugführer during the battle of Kursk, Wirth commanded 3 Pak guns during a Soviet tank attack. As the battle developed two of these guns were overrun and the third lost its gunner from a headshot. Wirth then took over the gun and was able to repulse the attack by knocking out 16 Soviet tanks. For this accomplishment he was awarded the Knight's Cross.