Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kommandeur II./Gebirgs-Artillerie-Regiment 85

Awarded on:

July 18th, 1943

Awarded for the successes of his Abteilung during the defensive battle east of Kiewskoje (26.-31.05.1943). It particularly distinguished itself on the very first day of this battle. The following German press excerpt comments on Goriany’s receiving the Knight’s Cross as follows…

“During the defensive fighting for the Kuban bridgehead in May, Major Wilhelm Goriany held a village that was vital for the entire sector with a handful of artillerymen and infantry. Multiple strong Soviet attacks were crushed by the determined resistance of Major Goriany and his small Kampfgruppe.”