serviceyears branch death_place death_date birth_place allegiance unit awards battles birth_date alt rank article_title name
1939 -- 1945 18px germany 14 march 2000 kamenz -rrb- , lower silesia , germany -lrb- now poland nazi germany jg 54 knight 's cross of the iron cross world war ii 30 january 1915 luftwaffe oberleutnant wilhelm schilling
 wilhelm schilling
wilhelm schilling

wilhelm schilling -lrb- 30 january 1915 -- 14 march 2000 -rrb- was a german luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the knight 's cross of the iron cross during world war ii .
the knight 's cross of the iron cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership - for the fighter pilots , it was a measure of skill and combat success .
he was credited with at least 50 victories in 538 missions .
