Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 24, 2026

List of Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients (J)

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its variants were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded for a wide range of reasons and across all ranks, from a senior commander for skilled leadership of his troops in battle to a low-ranking soldier for a single act of extreme gallantry. A total of 7,321 awards were made between its first presentation on 30 September 1939 and its last bestowal on 17 June 1945. This number is based on the analysis and acceptance of the order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR). Presentations were made to members of the three military branches of the Wehrmacht—the Heer (Army), Kriegsmarine (Navy) and Luftwaffe —as well as the Waffen-SS, the Reichsarbeitsdienst and the Volkssturm. There were also 43 recipients in the military forces of allies of the Third Reich.

Last revised
Jun 24, 2026
Read time
≈ 21 min
Length
4,722 w
Citations
644
Source
Wikipedia ↗

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) and its variants were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded for a wide range of reasons and across all ranks, from a senior commander for skilled leadership of his troops in battle to a low-ranking soldier for a single act of extreme gallantry.1 A total of 7,321 awards were made between its first presentation on 30 September 1939 and its last bestowal on 17 June 1945.Note 1 This number is based on the analysis and acceptance of the order commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR). Presentations were made to members of the three military branches of the Wehrmacht—the Heer (Army), Kriegsmarine (Navy) and Luftwaffe (Air Force)—as well as the Waffen-SS, the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD—Reich Labour Service) and the Volkssturm (German national militia). There were also 43 recipients in the military forces of allies of the Third Reich.3

These recipients are listed in the 1986 edition of Walther-Peer Fellgiebel's book, Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945. Fellgiebel was the former chairman and head of the order commission of the AKCR. In 1996, the second edition of this book was published with an addendum delisting 11 of these original recipients. Author Veit Scherzer has cast doubt on a further 193 of these listings. The majority of the disputed recipients had received the award in 1945, when the deteriorating situation of Germany in the final days of World War II in Europe left a number of nominations incomplete and pending in various stages of the approval process.4

Listed here are the 142 Knight's Cross recipients whose last names start with "J",5 ordered alphabetically. Fellgiebel himself delisted one and Scherzer has challenged the validity of four more of these listings.6 The rank listed is the recipient's rank at the time the Knight's Cross was awarded.

Background

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grades were based on four separate enactments. The first enactment, Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573 of 1 September 1939 instituted the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz), the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). Article 2 of the enactment mandated that the award of a higher class be preceded by the award of all preceding classes.7 As the war progressed, some of the recipients of the Knight's Cross distinguished themselves further and a higher grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub), was instituted. The Oak Leaves, as they were commonly referred to, were based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 849 of 3 June 1940.8 In 1941, two higher grades of the Knight's Cross were instituted. The enactment Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613 of 28 September 1941 introduced the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten).9 At the end of 1944 the final grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten), based on the enactment Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11 of 29 December 1944, became the final variant of the Knight's Cross authorized.10

Recipients

The Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (Supreme Command of the Armed Forces) kept separate Knight's Cross lists for the Heer (Army), Kriegsmarine (Navy), Luftwaffe (Air Force) and Waffen-SS. Within each of these lists a unique sequential number was assigned to each recipient. The same numbering paradigm was applied to the higher grades of the Knight's Cross, one list per grade.11 Of the 142 awards made to servicemen whose last name starts with "J", 14 were later awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and two the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords; 15 presentations were made posthumously. Heer members received 85 of the medals, nine went to the Kriegsmarine, 42 to the Luftwaffe, and six to the Waffen-SS.5 The sequential numbers greater than 843 for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves are unofficial and were assigned by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) and are therefore denoted in parentheses.12

  This along with the + (plus) indicates that a higher grade of Knight's Cross was awarded as well.
  This along with the * (asterisk) indicates that the Knight's Cross was awarded posthumously.
  This along with the ! (exclamation mark) indicates that author Walther-Peer Fellgiebel has expressed doubt regarding the veracity and formal correctness of the listing.
  This along with the ? (question mark) indicates that author Veit Scherzer has expressed doubt regarding the veracity and formal correctness of the listing.

Name Service Rank Role and unitNote 2 Date of award Notes Image
Hans-Joachim Jabs+ Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant13 Pilot and Staffel officer in the 2./Zerstörergeschwader 761414Note 3 1 October 194013 Awarded 430th Oak Leaves 24 March 194413
Eberhard Jacob Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann13 Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Sturzkampfgeschwader 31314 29 February 194413
—
—
Georg-Rupert JacobNote 4 Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant15 Chief of the 1./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 71415 13 September 194415
—
—
Karl-Peter Jacob Heer 13-HOberleutnant13 Chief of the 2./Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 1431314 13 June 194113
—
—
Paul Jacob Heer 13-HOberleutnantNote 5 Deputy leader of the I./Jäger-Regiment 2041314 10 March 194313
—
—
Fritz Jacobeit Heer 03-HGefreiter13 Group leader in the 6./Füsilier-Regiment 221314 11 March 194513
—
—
Hans-Joachim Jacobi von Wangelin Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant13 Staffelführer of the 1./Kampfgeschwader 7714Note 6 19 September 194213
—
—
Martin Jacobs Heer 04-HObergefreiter13 Group leader in the 2./Grenadier-Regiment 4311314 26 December 194313
—
—
Fritz Jacoby Heer 13-HOberleutnant of the Reserves13 Chief of the 7./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 111314 3 April 1943*13 Killed in action 19 March 194313
—
Egbert Jaeckel Luftwaffe 12-LLeutnant13 Pilot in the 3./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"1314 14 May 194213
—
—
Karl Jäckel!Note 7 Kriegsmarine 10-MObersteuermann Coxswain on U-90714 9 May 1945
—
—
Alfred Jaedtke Heer 14-HHauptmann13 Commander of the I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 141314 21 September 194413
—
Erich Jäger Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant13 Zugführer (platoon leader) in the I./Flak-Regiment 23 (motorized)14Note 8 5 July 194113
—
—
Fritz Jäger?Note 9 Heer 15-HMajor Commander of the II./Infanterie-Regiment 814 26 May 1940
—
—
Gerhard Jaeger Heer 09-HFeldwebel17 Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 7./Infanterie-Regiment 4181417 23 February 194217
—
—
Karl-Heinz Jaeger+ Heer 12-HLeutnant of the Reserves17 Leader of the 1./Grenadier-Regiment 1671417 4 August 194317 Awarded 786th Oak Leaves 16 March 194517
—
Dr. med. Rolf Jäger Luftwaffe 13-LOberarzt (rank equivalent to Oberleutnant)17 Troop doctor in the assault group "Beton" of the Fallschirmjäger-Sturm-Abteilung "Koch" (Battle of Fort Eben-Emael)1417 13 May 1940Note 10
—
—
Willy Jähde Heer 15-HMajor17 Commander of schwere Panzer-Abteilung 5021417 16 March 194417
—
—
Erhard Jähnert Luftwaffe 12-LLeutnant17 Pilot in the III./Sturzkampfgeschwader 31417 18 May 194317
—
—
Adolf Jäkel Luftwaffe 17-LOberst17 Geschwaderkommodore of Transportgeschwader 11718 19 August 194417
—
—
Erwin Jaenecke Heer 19-HGeneralleutnant17 Commander of the 389. Infanterie-Division1718 9 October 194217
—
—
Hans-Joachim Jäschke Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant17 Staffelführer of the 4./Schlachtgeschwader 118Note 11 28 March 194417
—
—
Bruno Jagusch Heer 06-HUnteroffizier17 Panzer commander in the Panzer-Jäger-Kompanie 13491718 5 March 194517
—
—
Gunter Jahn Kriegsmarine 14-MKapitänleutnant17 Commander of U-5961718 30 April 194317
—
—
Paul JahnckeNote 12 Heer 10-HOberfeldwebel15 Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 1./Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 531518 18 February 194515
—
—
Arthur Jahnke Heer 12-HLeutnant of the Reserves17 Leader of the 5./Grenadier-Regiment 5721718 20 April 194417
—
—
Arno Jahr Heer 19-HGeneralleutnant15 Commander of the 387. Infanterie-Division1518 22 December 194215
—
—
Maximilian Jais Heer 17-HOberst15 Commander of Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 1411518 17 September 194115
—
—
Friedrich Jakob+ Heer 14-HHauptmann15 Leader of the II./Infanterie-Regiment 1051518 4 March 194215 Awarded 681st Oak Leaves 18 December 194415
—
Georg Jakob+ Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant15 Staffelkapitän of the 2./Sturzkampfgeschwader 771518 27 April 194215 Awarded 615th Oak Leaves 30 September 194415
—
Willy Jakob Heer 06-HUnteroffizier15 Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 7./Infanterie-Regiment 3911518 4 March 1942*15 Killed in action 27 January 194215
—
Josef Jakwert+ Heer 10-HOberfeldwebel15 Zugführer (platoon leader) in the Divisions-Panzer-Jäger-Kompanie 36119 Note 13 14 May 194415 Awarded 752nd Oak Leaves 24 February 194515
—
Siegfried Jamrowski Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant15 Chief of the 6./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 31518 9 June 194415
—
Arthur Jander Heer 15-HMajor15 Leader of a Kampfgruppe in the 62. Infanterie-Division1518 15 June 194315
—
—
Hans Janke Heer 16-HOberstleutnant15 Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 15915 23 February 194415
—
—
Karl Janke Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann15 Staffelkapitän of the 7./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"1518 16 November 194215
—
—
Ewald Jannes Heer 04-HObergefreiter20 In the 9./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 281820 30 April 194520
—
—
Ernst Jansa+ Luftwaffe 16-LOberstleutnant20 Commander of Flak(Sturm)Regiment 12 (motorized)1820 31 October 194420 Awarded 726th Oak Leaves 1 February 194520
—
Willi Jansen Heer 13-HOberleutnantNote 14 Aide-de-camp in Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1281820 15 May 194420
—
—
Theodor Jansing Heer 06-HUnteroffizier20 Company troop leader of the 3./Grenadier-Regiment 4801820 26 January 194420
—
—
Paul-Vincenz Jansky Heer 13-HOberleutnant of the Reserves20 Chief of the 7./Jäger-Regiment 491820 12 August 194420
—
—
Ewald Janssen Luftwaffe 15-LMajor20 Geschwaderkommodore of Schlachtgeschwader 41820 31 October 194420
—
—
Siegfried Janz Luftwaffe 04-LObergefreiter Group leader of the 1./Jäger-Regiment 42 (L)2021 5 November 194420
—
—
Fritz Jaquet?Note 15 Heer 12-HLeutnant Adjutant of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 6221 9 May 1945
—
—
Alfred Jarosch Heer 12-HLeutnant20 Leader of the 8./Jäger-Regiment 382021 24 September 194220
—
—
Erich Jaschinski Luftwaffe 10-LOberfeldwebel20 Pilot in the I./Transportgeschwader 32021 9 February 194520
—
—
Erich Jaschke+ Heer 17-HOberst20 Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 90 (motorized)2021 4 December 194120 Awarded 295th Oak Leaves 7 September 194320
Herbert Jaschke Heer 14-HHauptmann23 Commander of Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 2492123 23 April 194523
—
—
Franz Jasiek Heer 06-HUnteroffizier23 Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 5./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 52123 22 April 194323
—
—
Georg Jass Heer 15-HMajor23 Commander of Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon 302123 9 June 194423
—
—
Georg Jauer+ Heer 19-HGeneralleutnant23 Commander of the 20. Panzergrenadier-Division2123 4 May 194423 Awarded 733rd Oak Leaves 10 February 194523
—
Georg Jauernik Luftwaffe 11-LStabsfeldwebel23 Pilot in the II./Sturzkampfgeschwader 772123 27 November 194223
—
—
Friedrich Jeckeln+ Waffen-SS 20-WSS-Obergruppenführer and General of the Polizei and Waffen-SSNote 16 Höherer SS- und Polizeiführer Ostland und Rußland-Nord and leader of a lett. SS-Polizei-Kampfgruppe21Note 16 27 August 194423 Awarded 802nd Oak Leaves 8 March 194523
Erich Jeckstat Luftwaffe 09-LFeldwebel23 Pilot in the 1./Kampfgeschwader 1002123 14 March 194323
—
—
Ernst Jedele Heer 10-HOberfeldwebel23 Troop leader in the 6./Sturm-Regiment 142123 15 April 1944*23 Killed in action 8 March 194423
—
Otto Jedermann Heer 14-HHauptmann23 Commander of the I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1462123 14 May 194423
—
—
Josef Jenatschek Heer 12-HLeutnant23 Leader of the 1./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 142123 4 May 194423
—
—
Hans Jenisch Kriegsmarine 13-MOberleutnant zur See23 Commander of U-322123 7 October 194023
—
—
Roland Jenisch Heer 17-HOberst of the Reserves24 Commander of Grenadier-Regiment 7562124 9 December 194424
—
—
Peter Jenne Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann24 Staffelkapitän of the 12./Jagdgeschwader 3002124 2 February 194524
—
—
Josef Jennewein Luftwaffe 12-LLeutnantNote 17 Pilot in the 1./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders"21Note 17 5 December 1943*24 Missing in action 26 July 194324
Karl Jenninger Heer 13-HOberleutnant24 Chief of the 2./Festungs-Infanterie-Bataillon VI./9992124 26 November 194424
—
—
Max Jensen Heer 09-HFeldwebel24 Zugführer (platoon leader) in the Stab I./Grenadier-Regiment 5022124 29 April 194524
—
—
Jakob Jenster Luftwaffe 10-LOberfeldwebel24 Pilot in the 6./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"2425 29 February 194424
—
—
Heinz Jente Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant24 Staffelkapitän of the 2./Kampfgeschwader 262425 29 October 194224
—
—
Walter JentschkeNote 18 Waffen-SS 01-WSS-Kanonier24 Radio troop leader in the 5./SS-Freiwilligen-Artillerie-Regiment 54 "Nederland"2124 18 December 194424
—
—
Erich Jentzsch Heer 09-HFeldwebel24 Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 4./Grenadier-Regiment 4462425 8 August 1944*24 Missing in action 24 April 194324
—
Hans Jentzsch Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann24 Commander of the I./Flak-Regiment 291 (motorized)2425 25 November 194424
—
—
Wilhelm Jerschke Heer 05-HStabsgefreiter24 Messenger in the 2./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 122425 7 October 194424
—
—
[Prof. Dr.] Hans-Heinrich JescheckNote 19 Heer 14-HHauptmann of the Reserves24 Leader of Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 1182425 5 March 194524
—
—
Hans Jeschonnek Luftwaffe 18-LGeneralmajor26 Chief of the general staff of the Luftwaffe2526 27 October 193926
—
Helmut Jeserer Heer 14-HHauptmann26 Commander of the II./Sturm-Regiment 2152526 30 April 194526
—
—
Rudolf Jesse Kriegsmarine 13-MOberleutnant zur See of the Reserves26 Commander of a Minensuchboot (minesweeper) in the 8. Minensuchflottille2526 5 September 194426
—
—
Curt von Jesser Heer 17-HOberst26 Commander of Panzer-Regiment 362526 18 January 194226
—
Ernst Jetting Heer 10-HOberfeldwebel26 Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 1./Grenadier-Regiment 29 (motorized)2526 4 June 194426
—
—
Hermann Jobelius Heer 15-HMajor26 Commander of the II./Grenadier-Regiment 4322526 28 February 194526
—
—
Hermann Jochems Luftwaffe 10-LOberfeldwebel26 Pilot in the Stab/Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"2526 3 September 194226
—
—
Hermann-Gustav Jochims Heer 14-HHauptmann26 Chief of the 7./Grenadier-Regiment 90 (motorized)2526 19 September 194326
—
Bernhard Jochimsen Heer 06-HUnteroffizier of the ReservesNote 20 Group leader in the 1./Pionier-Bataillon 2902526 28 April 194526
—
—
Alfred Jodl+ Heer 21-HGeneraloberst26 Chef des Wehrmachtführungsstabes (Chief of Operation Staff) im OKW25Note 21 7 May 1945Note 21 Awarded (865th) Oak Leaves 7 May 1945?Note 22
Ferdinand Jodl Heer 20-HGeneral der Gebirgstruppe26 Commanding general of the XIX. Gebirgskorps2526 13 January 194526
—
Martin Joecks Heer 14-HHauptmann of the Reserves26 Commander of leichte Artillerie-Abteilung 426 (motorized)25Note 23 14 May 194426
—
—
Wolf-Joachim Jödicke Luftwaffe 15-LMajor27 Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Kampfgeschwader 3 "Lützow"2527 5 February 194427
—
—
Wolfgang Joerchel Waffen-SS 16-WSS-Obersturmbannführer27 Commander of niederländ. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 48 "General Seyffardt"25Note 24 21 April 194427
—
—
Karl Jörß Kriegsmarine 06-MBootsmannsmaat of the ReservesNote 25 Flakleiter auf einem Transporter im Mittelmeer (anti aircraft controller on a transporter in the Mediterranean)25Note 25 17 February 194327
—
Gerhard Jözwiak Heer 06-HUnteroffizier27 Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 12./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1042527 17 March 194527
—
—
Bernhard Johannes Luftwaffe 09-LFeldwebel27 Pilot in the 1./Schlachtgeschwader 1028Note 26 29 October 1944*27 Killed in action 11 July 194427
—
Rolf Johannesson Kriegsmarine 17-MKapitän zur See27 Commander of destroyer Hermes2728 7 December 194227
—
—
Willy Johannmeyer+ Heer 13-HOberleutnant27 Leader of the II./Infanterie-Regiment 5032728 16 May 194227 Awarded 329th Oak Leaves 18 November 194327
—
Günther Johanns Heer 15-HMajorNote 27 Commander of Pionier-Bataillon 2922728 9 January 194427
—
—
Hans Johannsen Kriegsmarine 13-MOberleutnant (Ing.)27 Chief engineer on U-8022728 31 March 194527
—
—
Kurt Johannsen Kriegsmarine 14-MKapitänleutnant27 Chief of the 5. Schnellbootflottille2728 14 June 194427
—
—
Karl-Ludwig Johanssen Luftwaffe 12-LLeutnant27 Radio operator in the I./Nachtjagdgeschwader 628Note 28 20 March 194527
—
—
Dipl.-Ing. Richard John Heer 18-HGeneralmajor27 Commander of the 292. Infanterie-Division2728 20 December 194327
—
Richard John Heer 09-HFeldwebel29 Company troop leader in the 2./Grenadier-Regiment 4452829 4 May 194429
—
—
Wolfram John Heer 13-HOberleutnant of the Reserves29 Chief of the 2./Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 2092829 18 November 194429
—
—
Max Johne Heer 13-HOberleutnant of the Reserves29 Chief of the 9./Grenadier-Regiment 6672829 30 October 194329
—
—
Wilhelm Johnen Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant29 Staffelkapitän of the 8./Nachtjagdgeschwader 628Note 29 29 October 194429
—
—
Fritz Jokisch Heer 09-HFeldwebel of the ReservesNote 30 Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 3./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1102829 28 July 1943*29 Died of wounds 14 July 194329
—
Günter Jolitz Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant29 Staffelführer of the 9.(K)/Lehrgeschwader 12829 5 June 1944*Note 31 Killed in action 12 February 194429
—
Erwin Jollasse Heer 17-HOberst29 Commander of Schützen-Regiment 522829 2 November 194129
—
—
Ludwig Jooss Heer 15-HMajor of the Reserves29 Commander of I./Grenadier-Regiment 212829 17 March 194529
—
—
Bernhard Jope+ Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant29 Pilot in the 2./Kampfgeschwader 402829 30 December 194029 Awarded 431st Oak Leaves 24 March 194429
Hermann-Friedrich Joppien+ Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant29 Staffelkapitän of the 1./Jagdgeschwader 5128Note 32 16 September 194029 Awarded 11th Oak Leaves 23 April 194129
Adolf Jordan Heer 15-HMajor29 Commander of the I./Infanterie-Regiment 2032829 27 May 194229
—
—
Günther Jordan Heer 17-HOberst of the Reserves29 Commander of Jäger-Regiment 25 (L)28Note 33 17 March 194529
—
—
Hans Jordan+ Heer 17-HOberst30 Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 492830 5 June 194030 Awarded 59th Oak Leaves 16 January 1942
64th Swords 20 April 194430
—
Hans Jordan Heer 16-HOberstleutnant im Generalstab (in the General Staff)30 Ia (operations officer) in the 72. Infanterie-Division3031 22 February 194530
—
—
Herbert Jordan Heer 14-HHauptmann30 Chief of the 4./Artillerie-Regiment 323031 10 September 194430
—
—
Hermann Jordan Heer 14-HHauptmann30 Leader of the III./Grenadier-Regiment 93031 16 August 1943*30 Killed in action 2 August 194330
—
Manfred Jordan Heer 06-HSanitäts-Unteroffizier30 Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 4./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 663031 11 January 194430
—
—
Walter Joseph Heer 12-HLeutnant of the Reserves30 Leader of the 4./Feldersatz-Bataillon 1073031 24 June 194430
—
—
Hans Jost Heer 09-HFeldwebel30 Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 2563031 5 April 1944*30 Killed in action 23 February 194430
—
Walter Jost Heer 17-HOberst30 Commander of Infanterie-Regiment 753031 31 March 194230
—
—
Günther Josten+ Luftwaffe 10-LOberfeldwebel30 Pilot in the 3./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders"31Note 34 5 February 194430 Awarded 810th Oak Leaves 28 March 194530
—
Wilhelm Joswig Luftwaffe 10-LOberfeldwebel30 Pilot in the 9./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"3031 29 February 194430
—
—
Hans Juchem Waffen-SS 14-WSS-Hauptsturmführer30 Commander of the II./Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Germania"3032 12 September 1943*30 Killed in action 13 August 194330
—
Georg Juditzki Luftwaffe 12-LLeutnant30 Pilot in the Stab I./Kampfgeschwader 53 "Legion Condor"3031 9 November 194430
—
—
Walter Jünemann Heer 09-HFeldwebel33 Company troop leader in the 4./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1043133 4 October 1944*33 Killed in action 14 August 194433
—
Friedrich-Wilhelm Jürgen Heer 15-HMajor33 Commander of the II./Schützen-Regiment 23133 16 June 194033
—
—
Heinz Jürgens?Note 35 Waffen-SS 14-WSS-Hauptsturmführer Commander of SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 431 9 May 1945
—
—
Karl Jürgens Heer 09-HFeldwebel33 Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 2./Infanterie-Regiment 733133 4 September 194033
—
—
Wilhelm Jürgens Luftwaffe 15-LMajor33 Commander of the II./Flak-Regiment 23 (motorized)3133 9 June 194433
—
—
Arnold Jürgensen Waffen-SS 15-WSS-Sturmbannführer33 Commander of the I./SS-Panzer-Regiment 12 "Hitlerjugend"3133 16 October 194433
—
—
Justus Jürgensen Heer 01-HBau-Pionier33 In the 5./Pionier-Bau-Ersatz und Ausbildungs Bataillon 3 Crossen (Oder)31Note 36 5 February 1945*33 Killed in action 5 February 194533
—
Klaus Jürgensen Heer 14-HHauptmann33 Leader of the I./Grenadier-Regiment 463335 2 February 194433
—
—
Arthur Jüttner+ Heer 14-HHauptmann33 Commander of the III./Infanterie-Regiment 383335 14 December 194133 Awarded 622nd Oak Leaves 18 October 1944
141st Swords 5 April 194533
—
Werner Junck Luftwaffe 18-LGeneralmajor33 Commanding general of the II. Jagdkorps3335 9 June 194433
—
—
Heinrich Jung Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann33 Gruppenkommandeur of the II./Jagdgeschwader 543335 12 November 1943*33 Killed in action 30 July 194333
—
Valentin Jung Heer 14-HHauptmann33 Commander of Feldersatz-Bataillon 92 and Divisions-Kampfschule35Note 37 28 December 194333
—
—
Dietrich ter Jung Heer 13-HOberleutnant of the Reserves33 Leader of the II./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 793335 4 May 194433
—
—
Heinz Jungclausen Luftwaffe 13-LOberleutnant36 Staffelkapitän of the 6./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"3536 9 October 194336
—
—
Herbert Junge Heer 06-HUnteroffizier36 Commander of a 8.8-cm FlaK in Greifenhagen37Note 38 13 March 194536
—
—
Wilhelm Junge Heer 13-HOberleutnant of the Reserves36 Chief of the 5./Artillerie-Regiment 15423536 9 December 194436
—
—
Siegfried Jungklaus Luftwaffe 14-LHauptmann36 Gruppenkommandeur of the III.(Eis)/Kampfgeschwader 3 "Lützow"3536 3 September 1943*36 Killed in action 22 April 194336
—
Johann Jungkunst Heer 09-HFeldwebel36 Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 11./Infanterie-Regiment 41 (motorized)3536 30 August 194136
—
—
Edgar Jungnickel Kriegsmarine 13-MOberleutnant zur See36 Commander of U-Jäger 14303536 10 September 194436
—
—
Hans Jungwirth?Note 39 Luftwaffe 15-LMajor Commander of Fallschirm-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 1235 9 May 1945
—
—
Heinz Junker Heer 12-HLeutnant36 Zugführer (platoon leader) in the Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 10263536 14 January 194536
—
—
Georg Jura Heer 11-HStabsfeldwebel36 Leader of the 14./Jäger-Regiment 493536 28 April 194336
—
—
Franz Jursa Heer 06-HUnteroffizier36 Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 3./Grenadier-Regiment 4823536 2 August 194336
—
—
Franz Juschkat Heer 09-HFeldwebel36 Zugführer (platoon leader) in the Stabskompanie/Grenadier-Regiment 433536 17 February 194336
—
Notes

Notes

  1. Großadmiral and President of Germany Karl Dönitz, Hitler's successor as Head of State (Staatsoberhaupt) and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, had ordered the cessation of all promotions and awards as of 11 May 1945 (Dönitz-decree). Consequently the last Knight's Cross awarded to Oberleutnant zur See of the Reserves Georg-Wolfgang Feller on 17 June 1945 must therefore be considered a de facto but not de jure hand-out.2
  2. For an explanation of the various naming schemes used by the Luftwaffe, Heer, Kriegsmarine and Waffen-SS refer to nomenclature used by the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS.
  3. According to Scherzer as pilot in the 2./Zerstörergeschwader 76.13
  4. According to Scherzer name is spelled Georg-Rupert Jakob.15
  5. According to Scherzer as Oberleutnant of the Reserves.13
  6. According to Scherzer as Staffelführer of the 2./Kampfgeschwader 77.13
  7. Walther-Peer Fellgiebel, author of Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945, indicates that Jäckel received the Knight's Cross on 1 June 1945, after the Dönitz-decree prohibited the awarding of the Knight's Cross while other sources such as Clemens Range and Franz Kurowski indicate that the Knight's Cross was awarded on 28 May 1945. According to Fellgiebel Jäckel's paybook confirms his award on 1 June 1945. Thus making him a de facto but not de jure recipient.2
  8. According to Scherzer as chief of the 1./Flak-Regiment 19.13
  9. Fritz Jäger, in connection with the 20 July plot, failed attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler, was deprived of all honors, ranks and orders and dishonorably discharged from the Heer on 14 August 1944. The civilian Jäger was sentenced to death by the Volksgerichtshof on 21 August 1944 and executed the same day.16
  10. According to Scherzer on 15 May 1940.17
  11. According to Scherzer as Staffelführer in the II./Schlachtgeschwader 1.17
  12. According to Scherzer name is spelled Paul Jancke.15
  13. According to Scherzer as Zugführer (platoon leader) in the Panzer-Jäger-Kompanie 361.15
  14. According to Scherzer as Oberleutnant of the Reserves.20
  15. The teleprinter nomination was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) from the troop on 27 March 1945. Major Joachim Domaschk approved on 12 April. A HPA-nomination was created on 20 April with the number 5084. The file card in the German Nation Archives two notes stating: "Arrived on 12 April 1945" as well as "Forwarded on 19 April 1945". Scherzer assumes that Fritz Jaquet's unit in parallel to the teleprinter nomination had sent a more detailed nomination via messenger which was received on 12 April. The book Verliehene Ritterkreuze (Awarded Knight Crosses) indicates an arrival date of 14 April 1945 and forwarding date of 19 April. No further information was noted indicating that the Knight's Cross was further processed or awarded. The Order Commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) processed this case in 1982 and decided: "Knight's Cross yes, 8 May 1945". According to the AKCR the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. Fellgiebel later moved the presentation date by one day. Jacquet was a member of the AKCR.22
  16. According to Scherzer as SS-Obergruppenführer and General of the Waffen-SS, Höherer SS- and Polizei and leader of the Höhere SS- und Polizeiführer Northern Russia, leader of Kampfgruppe Jeckeln (lett. Polizei) in the 18. Armee.23
  17. According to Scherzer as Oberfeldwebel and pilot in the I./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders".24
  18. According to Scherzer name is Walter Jentschke, according to Fellgiebel name is spelled Jenschke, without the letter "t".2124
  19. The brackets around the professor and doctor title [Prof. Dr.] denotes that the academic title was attained after the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded
  20. According to Scherzer as Unteroffizier.26
  21. According to Scherzer on 6 May 1945 as Chef des Wehrmachtführungsstabes (Chief of Operation Staff) im OKW and deputy chief of the OKW.26
  22. The award was unlawfully presented on 10 May 1945. The sequential number "865" was assigned by the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR).16
  23. According to Scherzer as commander of leichte Artillerie-Abteilung (Raupenschlepper Ost) 426.26
  24. According to Scherzer as commander of SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 48 "General Seyffardt" (niederländische Nr. 1).27
  25. According to Scherzer as Bootsmannsmaat (Petty Officer) and Flakleiter auf dem Transporter "Dora" (anti aircraft controller on the transporter "Doroa").27
  26. According to Scherzer as pilot in the I./Schlachtgeschwader 10.27
  27. According to Scherzer as Major zur Verwendung (for disposition).27
  28. According to Scherzer as radio operator in the IV./Nachtjagdgeschwader 6.27
  29. According to Scherzer as pilot in the 8./Nachtjagdgeschwader 6.29
  30. According to Scherzer as Feldwebel.29
  31. According to Scherzer on 9 June 1944.29
  32. According to Scherzer as pilot in the I./Jagdgeschwader 51.29
  33. According to Scherzer as commander of Jäger-Regiment 23 (L).29
  34. According to Scherzer as pilot in the 1./Jagdgeschwader 51 "Mölders".30
  35. Heinz Jürgens' nomination by the troop was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) sometime between 23 and 27 April 1945 and prepared for signature with a presentation date of 28 April 1945. However it was never signed. According to the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) the award was present in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. Jürgens was a member of the AKCR.34
  36. According to Scherzer in the 5./Pionier-Bau-Ersatz und Ausbildungs Bataillon 3 (391. Sicherungs-Division).33
  37. According to Scherzer as commander of Feldersatz-Bataillon 92.33
  38. According to Scherzer as gun leader in the 4./schwere Flak-Abteilung 326.36
  39. Hans Jungwirth's nomination (copy of the original nomination), together with Richard Hengstler's and Ferdinand Deutsch's nomination, was received by the Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) from the troop on 26 March 1945. Major Joachim Domaschk forwarded this nomination to the Luftwaffenpersonalamt (LPA—Airforce Staff Office). All three original nominations had already been received by the LPA at this time. The LPA had created LPA-nominations which had been forwarded to Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring on 24 April. Göring never received these nominations since he was already arrested at that time. Göring had been under arrest by the SS on the Obersalzberg since 23 April. General Rudolf Meister therefore took the decision himself and awarded Deutsch the Knight's Cross while he rejected Hengstler's nomination. Jungwirth's nomination was retained by the LPA. The reason for this remains unanswered since Jungwirth's file in the German Federal Archives was looted. A presentation cannot be proven. According to the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) the award was presented in accordance with the Dönitz-decree. This is illegal according to the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) and lacks legal justification. The presentation date was assigned by Fellgiebel.16
References

References

Citations

  1. Williamson & Bujeiro 2004, pp. 3–4.
  2. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 4.
  3. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 113–460, 483, 485–487, 492, 494, 498–499, 501, 503, 509.
  4. Scherzer 2007, pp. 117–186.
  5. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 241–247.
  6. Scherzer 2007, pp. 145–147.
  7. "Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 1573; 1 September 1939" (PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  8. "Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 849; 3 June 1940" (PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  9. "Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 613; 28 September 1941" (PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  10. "Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11; 29 December 1944" (PDF). ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (in German). Reichsministerium des Inneren (Ministry of the Interior). Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  11. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 112.
  12. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 102–111.
  13. Scherzer 2007, p. 415.
  14. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 241.
  15. Scherzer 2007, p. 417.
  16. Scherzer 2007, p. 146.
  17. Scherzer 2007, p. 416.
  18. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 242.
  19. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 242, 493.
  20. Scherzer 2007, p. 418.
  21. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 243.
  22. Scherzer 2007, p. 145.
  23. Scherzer 2007, p. 419.
  24. Scherzer 2007, p. 420.
  25. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 244.
  26. Scherzer 2007, p. 421.
  27. Scherzer 2007, p. 422.
  28. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 245.
  29. Scherzer 2007, p. 423.
  30. Scherzer 2007, p. 424.
  31. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 246.
  32. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 246, 493.
  33. Scherzer 2007, p. 425.
  34. Scherzer 2007, p. 147.
  35. Fellgiebel 2000, p. 247.
  36. Scherzer 2007, p. 426.
  37. Fellgiebel 2000, pp. 247, 493.

Bibliography

  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer [in German] (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Williamson, Gordon; Bujeiro, Ramiro (2004). Knight's Cross and Oak Leaves Recipients 1939–40. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-641-6.
External links