Herbert Kaiser (16 March 1916 – 5 December 2003) was a Luftwaffe 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. He was captured by American troops in May 1945. During his career, he flew 1,200 missions and is credited with 68 aerial victories. Awards Aviator badge Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe Sudetenland Medal Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (9 August 1941) Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class 1st Class Wound Badge (1939) in Black German Cross in Gold on 30 March 1942 as Leutnant in the 8./Jagdgeschwader 77 Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 14 March 1943 as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the 8./Jagdgeschwader 77 (later Jagdgeschwader 1) Notes References Citations Bibliography External links Luftwaffe 1939–1945 History TracesOfWar.com 1916 births 2003 deaths People from the Province of Saxony People from Jessen (Elster) Luftwaffe pilots German World War II flying aces Recipients of the Gold German Cross Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross German Air Force personnel German prisoners of war in World War II held by the United States Military personnel from Saxony-Anhalt