Emil Dürr was a Unterscharführer in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II. Emil Dürr was born on the 1 June 1920, in Mühlacker. During World War II he volunteered to join the Waffen SS and was posted to the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend which was formed in 1943. He was awarded the Iron Cross II class on the 23 June and the Iron Cross I class the next day on the 24 June.