serviceyears branch death_date death_place birth_place allegiance unit awards battles birth_date rank image article_title name
1939 -- 45 23px waffen-ss yes 4 october 1974 27 february 1920 braunschweig , germany braunschweig , germany nazi germany 3rd ss panzer division '' totenkopf '' knight 1st class iron cross 2nd class 's cross of the iron cross iron cross world war ii 27 february 1920 hauptsturmführer walter mattern.jpg walter mattern
 walter paul mattern
walter mattern

walter paul mattern -lrb- 27 february 1920 -- 4 october 1974 -rrb- was a hauptsturmführer -lrb- captain -rrb- , in the waffen-ss during world war ii who was awarded the knight 's cross of the iron cross , which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by nazi germany during world war ii .
mattern was awarded the knight 's cross on the 20 october 1944 , while he was the commander of the 7th company , 3rd ss panzer regiment , 3rd ss panzer division `` totenkopf ''
