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Original German award certificate (Verleihungsurkunde) for the Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse, EK II), awarded to Gefreiter Leonhard Kress, serving with the 2. Kompanie, Nachrichten-Abteilung 715, the signals unit of the 715. Infanterie-Division of the German Army (Heer) during the Second World War. The certificate is dated 22 October 1944 and was issued at the divisional command post (Divisions-Gefechtsstand).
The Iron Cross 2nd Class was a German military decoration awarded during the Second World War in recognition of distinguished wartime service and military merit. This document records its award to Leonhard Kress, although it does not specify the particular action for which the decoration was granted.
The recipient held the rank of Gefreiter, a junior enlisted rank broadly comparable to a senior private or junior corporal, and served with 2./Nachr.-Abt. 715, abbreviated from 2. Kompanie / Nachrichten-Abteilung 715 (2nd Company, Signals Battalion 715). Such units were responsible for military communications, including radio operation, field telephones, cable laying and communications between command posts.
The 715. Infanterie-Division served in the Italian campaign during the Second World War. In October 1944, German forces were engaged in defensive operations in Italy following the Allied offensive against the Gothic Line. The date and the recipient’s unit place the award within this military context, although the certificate does not identify the exact location or circumstances of the action being recognized.
The main text begins with the official formula “Im Namen des Führers verleihe ich…” (In the name of the Führer, I award…), followed by the recipient’s identification, military unit and the decoration awarded.
The lower section bears the date “Div.Gef.Stand, den 22. Oktober 1944”, indicating the divisional command post. The certificate retains the official unit stamp, displaying the German military eagle, together with the handwritten signature of an Oberst (colonel).
Beneath the signature appears the designation “m.d.F.b. 715. Inf.-Div.”, an abbreviation of mit der Führung beauftragt, identifying the officer as temporarily entrusted with command of the 715th Infantry Division. The signatory’s surname is provisionally interpreted as Hahn, although this reading requires confirmation.
This is an original period award certificate, not the physical decoration. Its historical significance lies in the identification of the decorated serviceman, his assignment to a signals unit of the 715th Infantry Division and the award date, corresponding to the later stages of the Italian campaign in 1944.
Original German Iron Cross 2nd Class award certificate (Verleihungsurkunde zum Eisernen Kreuz 2. Klasse), Second World War. Awarded to Gefreiter Leonhard Kress, 2. Kompanie / Nachrichten-Abteilung 715, 715. Infanterie-Division. Dated 22.10.1944 at the divisional command post. Retains official unit stamp and handwritten signature of an Oberst entrusted with divisional command (m.d.F.b.). Period German military award certificate; physical decoration not included.
