serviceyears branch commands death_place death_date birth_place allegiance awards battles birth_date rank article_title name
1927 -- 45 heer schwere panzer-abteilung 502 munich 25 april 2002 sorau weimar republic -lrb- to 1933 -rrb- nazi germany knight 's cross of the iron cross world war ii 18 january 1908 major willy jähde
 willy jähde
willy jähde

willy jähde -lrb- 18 january 1908 -- 25 april 2002 -rrb- was a highly decorated major in the wehrmacht during world war ii and a recipient of the knight 's cross of the iron cross .
the knight 's cross of the iron cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership .
willy jähde was captured by american troops in may 1945 .
he was later transferred to soviet custody , but escaped .
