Swords and Diamonds (6 June 1939) Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "400" Wound Badge in Black Pilot/Observer Badge in Gold with Diamonds (August 1940) Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (13 September 1939) 1st Class (22 May 1940) Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds Knight's Cross on 29 July 1940 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" 3rd Oak Leaves on 24 September 1940 as Major and Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" 1st Swords (21 June 1941) as Oberstleutnant and Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" 2nd Diamonds (28 January 1942) as Oberst and Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" Notes References Citations Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Further reading External links 1912 births 1996 deaths People from Herten People from the Province of Westphalia Luftwaffe World War II generals German World War II flying aces German prisoners of war in World War II held by the United States Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds German military personnel of the Spanish Civil War Recipients of the Military Medal (Spain) Condor Legion personnel Lieutenant generals of the Luftwaffe Military personnel from North Rhine-Westphalia