On 23 January, Hardegen received another signal, confirming he had been awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for sinking over 100,000 GRT of Allied shipping.
Tanggal 23 Januari, Hardegen mendapat pesan lain, menyatakan ia dianugerahi Salib Besi Ksatria (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) karena menenggelamkan lebih dari 100,000 GRT kapal musuh.