Complex sentence: He volunteered to join the SS and was posted to the "Das Reich", he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in June 1940 and the 1st class award in August 1941.
Split into simpler sentences: He volunteered to join the SS and was posted to the "Das Reich". He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in June 1940 and the 1st class award in August 1941.