Heinrich Höfer

Karl Heinrich Höfer (14 July 1911 – 2 January 1996) was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Awards and decorations

 * Aviator badge
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (16 September 1939)
 * 1st Class (12 June 1941)
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (18 November 1941)
 * German Cross in Gold on 16 July 1942 as Hauptmann in the Stab/Kampfgeschwader 55
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 3 September 1943 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of II./Kampfgeschwader 55
 * 656th Oak Leaves on 18 November 1944 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of II./Kampfgeschwader 55