Eberhard Schäfer (25 August 1924 – 9 April 1944) was a highly decorated Oberleutnant in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Eberhard Schäfer was wounded on 6 April 1944 during an attack of Soviet troop concentrations north of Brody. His aircraft was hit by small arms fire, one bullet hitting his sidearm on his belt. The pistol and magazine were torn apart and bullets and fragments pierced his abdomen. Schäfer kept his consciousness during the 35-minute return flight. Despite immediate medical attention he died at the field hospital 608 in Zamość, Poland at 02:30 on 9 April 1944. Generalleutnant Hans Seidemann ha