Willy Moder
| Willy Moder | |
|---|---|
| Born |
17 November 1916 Berlin-Weissensee |
| Died |
14 March 1945 (aged 28) Dinnyes |
| Allegiance |
.svg.png){kind=small} Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch | Army |
| Years of service | 1939–45 |
| Rank | Unteroffizier |
| Unit | 3rd Panzer Division |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Willy Moder (17 November 1916 – 14 March 1945) was a German infantryman 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.
Career
Unteroffizier Moder played a key part in his battalion’s capture of St. Florentin on the night of 14-15 June. Moving forward aggressively with his motorcycle infantry squad, he and his men pushed through confused French forces over a span of two hours of close combat. He was the first to reach the important railway bridge and in doing so simultaneously cut off the retreat route of a French vehicle column, which later surrendered. For his boldness during this engagement Moder would be awarded the Knight’s Cross.[1]
Awards & decorations
- Sudetenland Medal
- Iron Cross
- 2nd Class
- 1st Class
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 4 September 1940 as Kommandeur II./Schützen-Regiment 3
- Wound Badge in Silver
- Panzer Badge
References
Citations
- ↑ Veterans of the 3rd Panzer Division (2012). Armoured Bears: Volume One. Stackpole Books. p. 106-107.
Bibliography
- 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 Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.