Awarded on:

1937

Awarded on:

1937

Awarded on:

1939

Awarded on:

1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 24th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 22nd, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 1941

WIA 10.07.1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Standartenführer (Colonel)

Unit:

Kdr, SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 3, SS-Division Totenkopf, Waffen-SS

Awarded on:

September 26th, 1942

Award 191/9.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Standartenführer (Colonel)

Unit:

Kommandeur, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Theodor Eicke", SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Totenkopf", Waffen-SS

Awarded on:

September 7th, 1943

Becker’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“SS-Standartenführer Becker became the commander of SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. ‘Theodor Eicke’ in the autumn of 1941, and since assuming this role he has led Regiment from success to success during all the battles of the Division.

On the 13.08.1943 the reinforced Regiment constituted the Division’s main effort, and on this day its mission was to take the village of Nikotowka as well as the commanding hills to the west of there (Hills 199.8 and 197.4). Nikotowka fell into our hands during the early afternoon after strong enemy tank/infantry resistance had been broken. However the Regiment’s attack against the well-fortified and strongly occupied positions in the forested terrain and hills west of the village threatened to stall in the face of a powerful enemy tank/anti-tank gun front. At this moment SS-Standartenführer Becker made the independent decision to send his reinforced reserve Bataillon in a wide flanking maneuver through the attack sector of the right neighbouring division (which had not kept up the same pace). It would strike northwards and take Hill 197.1 before unpicking the strong enemy hill positions on 199.8 and 197.4 from the northeast.

Under his own ruthless leadership, the Bataillon succeeded in taking Hill 197.1. It then thrust forwards towards the southwest and rolled up the hill positions at 199.8 and 197.4.

SS-Standartenführer Becker thereby forced the seizure of Hills 199.8 and 197.4 through his independent initiative and ruthless devotion to duty. This achievement was the precondition for the continued westerly attack of the Division south of the Mertschik creek on the 14.08.1943, an attack which itself led to the destruction of 2 Russian rifle divisions, 2 tank brigades and a motorized brigade.

I ask that SS-Standartenführer Becker be awarded the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross in recognition of his accomplishments.”

Preliminary document dated on September 20th 1943.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Oberführer (Brigade General)

Unit:

Kommandeur, 3. SS Panzer-Division "Totenkopf", Waffen-SS

Awarded on:

September 21st, 1944

Becker’s Oakleaves recommendation reads as follows…

“1. In October 1943 the enemy succeeded in expanding their bridgehead over the Dnieper (located in the Mischurin Rog—Dnepropetrovsk area) towards the west, eventually reaching a point just before Krivoi Rog with strong tank forces. In the midst of this ominous situation, on the 27.10.1943, the 3. SS-Pz.Div. Totenkopf under the command of SS-Oberführer Becker received orders from the XXXX. Pz.Korps to launch a thrust into the flank of the enemy. Even though his Division’s combat strength had been badly depleted by the previous fighting, SS-Oberführer Becker nonetheless succeeded in thrusting out of the area south of Alexandrija and deep into the enemy’s right flank thanks to his superior and determined combat leadership. Over the course of three days of hard combat he had a decisive share in the destruction of several Soviet armoured formations and the prevention of Krivoi Rog’s loss. This success is first and foremost the mark of SS-Oberführer Becker’s flexible and decisive leadership combined with his outstanding intervention in the hotspots of the battle. (compare these comments with the attached order of the day from the supreme commander of the 8. Armee, General der Infanterie Wöhler).

2. The Americans succeeded in deeply outflanking the left wing of the 16. SS-Pz.Gren.Div. Reichsführer-SS during the fighting in the Fauglia—St. Luze—Livorno—Pisa area at the start of July 1944. There existed a danger that the Division would be cut off from its rearward lines of communication. The unit deployed for the defense of the left wing was the SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 36 under the command of SS-Oberführer Becker, and in this time he made the independent decision to use what weak forces were at his disposal to launch a thrust out from his own flank in order to stabilize the situation. Strong enemy forces were destroyed, and the Division (which was also heavily tied down to the front) managed to fight its way to freedom. The swift initiative, energetic combat leadership and outstanding personal bravery of SS-Oberführer Becker thereby prevented a bypassing and consequent major threat for his Division.

3. During the defensive combat around Siedlce (26.07.-11.08.1944) the 3. SS-Pz.Div. Totenkopf was deployed on the flank of 2. Armee in order to fend off massive enemy attacks. The divisional commander, SS-Oberführer Becker, was majorly involved in the combat during these days of heavy fighting. He repeatedly intervened in the foremost line in order to personally direct the defense or initiate immediate counterthrusts, displaying determined and (where necessary) ruthless leadership wherever he went. His actions here laid the groundwork for an orderly withdrawal by the right wing of the Armee.

A series of friendly retreat movements followed during the start of August 1944. In this time, through a combination of stern leadership and coordination of his weakened formations, SS-Oberführer Becker guaranteed the consistently orderly withdrawal of his Division until it had reached the Warsaw bridgehead. He led numerous lightning-swift counterthrusts that inflicted heavy losses on the enemy. Enemy penetrations into friendly positions were eliminated without exception through SS-Oberführer’s ruthless intervention, wherein he personally led most of the countermeasures.

4. After strong hostile attacks in the Tluszcz area were absorbed by our forces, the enemy tried once again to break through in the Grabie—Klembow sector on the 19.08.1944. They had brought up new forces, and the hope was that they could force a path to Warsaw by advancing westwards through Wolomin. The 3. SS-Pz.Div. Totenkopf was deployed in this sector, and the enemy attacked this unit with 9 rifle divisions plus elements of a Tank Corps after they had brought down a particularly fearsome and long-lasting drumfire. For 3 days (up until the 21.08.1944) the enemy’s attacks rolled uninterruptedly against the positions of SS-Oberführer Becker’s SS men. However, through the employment of all available forces down to the last clerk and supply driver, it was possible to smash all the enemy attacks with a combination of stiff defense and determined counterthrusts. This great defensive success can be largely attributed to the outstanding leadership, earnest energy and battle readiness of SS-Oberführer Becker. SS-Oberführer could always be found at the hotspots of the combat wherever the situation was most critical, exuding calm, energy and personal bravery for his men whenever he did so.

The following was destroyed in the sector of the 3. SS-Pz.Div. Totenkopf during the time period 19.-21.08.1944:

51 enemy tanks
4 heavy anti-tank guns
3 heavy machine-guns
4 aircraft.

5. Having regrouped and swiftly replenished their formations, the enemy renewed their breakthrough attacks against Warsaw on the 25.08.1944. The main thrust once again fell upon the 3. SS-Pz.Div. Totenkopf, which was deployed in the Radzymin sector. Following a five-hour artillery barrage, the enemy launched a decisive attack against this sector with 8 rifle divisions, 1 rifle brigade (mot.), elements of a Tank Corps and strong air support.

The bitter struggle lasted for 8 days, a time that saw continuous enemy attacks that were matched by our own counterthrusts. But in the end SS-Oberführer Becker and his 3. SS-Pz.Div. Totenkopf were able to smash all the enemy’s determined efforts to secure space to the west. The divisional commander stood fearlessly alongside his soldiers during these days of heavy combat. In this time he inspired them to the highest steadfastness and led them in determined counterthrusts with exemplary bravery and confidence.

In these days the Division destroyed 90 enemy tanks and 5 aircraft.

The enemy breakthrough towards Warsaw was defeated, and in the process they suffered notable losses in both men and materiel.”

595th Award.
Submitted on September 9th 1944.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Brigadeführer / Generalmajor der Waffen-SS (Brigadier)

Awarded on:

February 1st, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)