# 1965
Superb framed Iron Cross 2nd Class Document awarded to SS Sturmmann Franz Hagewald of the 2nd Flak Battalion, 2nd SS Division Das Reich. He was awarded his Iron Cross on January 27th, 1944. During this time, while much of the "Das Reich" division was withdrawn from the Russian Front for the purpose of refit and reorganization, after having been mauled at Kursk, Franz's unit and other elements of "Das Reich" were left behind in Russia to fight on. His battle group was surrounded by the Russian winter offensive and then latter rescued. It was during this period of intense fighting that Franz was awarded his Iron Cross. Either Franz or someone very proud of his service had the document nicely framed quite a long time ago. Also found with the document at the same estate was the medal that is also being presented. It is a post war medal recognizing Adolf Hitler. It is also sometimes referred to as the "Unrepentant Nazi Medal".