serviceyears branch commands death_place death_date birth_place allegiance unit awards battles birth_date alt rank article_title name
1936 -- 43 18px i. / kampfgeschwader 100 in the sea of azov 20 june 1943 linden nazi germany kg 28 , kg 26 , kampfgeschwader 100 knight 's cross of the iron cross world war ii 12 december 1908 '' luftwaffe '' major paul claas
 paul claas
paul claas

paul claas -lrb- 12 december 1908 -- 20 june 1943 -rrb- was a highly decorated major in the luftwaffe 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 .
claas was killed on 20 june 1943 after a water landing in the sea of azov .
