G%C3%BCnther Freiherr von Maltzahn

Oberst Gnther Freiherr von Maltzahn was a German World War II Luftwaffe Flying ace and Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 53 and a winner of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves . The Knights Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Legally it was Germanys highest military decoration at the time of its presentation to Gnther Freiherr von Maltzahn.

Von Maltzhan was bornOctober 1910 in Wodarg, Pomerania. A member of the German aristocracy, Gnther von Maltzhan could use the title of Freiherr . Von Matzahn entered the cavalry in 1931 although he had already undergone flight training at the commercial flying school in Schleissheim. In mid 1930s, von Maltzahn was joined the Luftwaffe as a flying instructor. In 1937 he was posted to 6.Jagdgeschwader 334 as a Staffelkapitn, the unit later renumbered 6.Jagdgeschwader 53 .

Source: Wikipedia