- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)
- Unit:
- Zugführer, Panzerjäger-Abteilung (Sfl) 616, Heer
- Awarded on:
- November 3rd, 1944
At the beginning of 1944 Oberfeldwebel Rappholz was forced to defend against a heavy Soviet tank assault with only 90 men during the fighting for the Dukla Pass west of Sanok. Despite the odds, Rappholz was able to employ his Marder II tank destroyer to good effect, knocking out 16 enemy tanks and covering the retreat of the Division he’d been attached to. In recognition of this tactical victory he would be decorated with the Knight’s Cross.