serviceyears branch death_place death_date birth_place allegiance unit awards battles birth_date rank article_title name
1939 -- 43 luftwaffe pripjet marshes 6 october 1943 linz nazi germany sg 1 knight 's cross of the iron cross world war ii 31 july 1920 hauptmann josef menapace
 josef menapace
josef menapace

josef menapace -lrb- 31 july 1920 -- 6 october 1943 -rrb- was a highly decorated hauptmann in the luftwaffe during world war ii .
he was also 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 .
during his career he flew 723 missions .
josef menapace was killed on 6 october 1943 when his plane crashed into the pripjet marshes after being hit by anti-aircraft fire .
