serviceyears branch commands death_place death_date birth_place allegiance awards battles birth_date rank image article_title name
1935 -- 44 heer panzer-aufklabt 5 near tilsit 11 october 1944 urbach nazi germany knight leaves and swords -lrb- posthumous -rrb- 's cross of the iron cross with oak world war ii 25 december 1913 major of the reserves fritz feßmann.jpg fritz feßmann
 fritz feßmann
fritz feßmann

fritz feßmann -lrb- 25 december 1913 -- 11 october 1944 -rrb- was a german officer serving during world war ii and recipient of the coveted knight 's cross of the iron cross with oak leaves and swords .
the knight 's cross of the iron cross and its higher grade oak leaves and swords was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership .
feßmann was killed in action on 11 october 1944 .
he had just debarked from his vehicle when a soviet shell exploded before him , throwing him back into the vehicle and killing him instantly .
he was posthumously awarded the knight 's cross of the iron cross with oak leaves and swords and promoted to major of the reserves .
